Trent Gregory (Estero Senior Photo)

After winning the inaugural Estero Senior Amateur Invitational last May, Trent Gregory set his sights on defending his title against a field of 96 talented senior amateurs aged 55 and older, representing 14 states and Canada.

Gregory, 57, of Wake Forest, North Carolina, accomplished his mission posting scores of 71-69-70-210, for a 6-under par 54-hole total, over the demanding, spectacularly-manicured par 72 Estero Country Club layout.

The retired software executive smoked the field with a convincing 12-shot victory over a trio of closest competitors including Kevin Vandenberg (New York), Donald O’Connor (Texas) and Chris McCarthy (Florida), who all finished at 6-over par, 222.

“For me, the putter can be your best friend, or worst enemy and this week it proved to be the most valuable club in my bag,” said Gregory, who maintains a plus-2 handicap at Heritage Golf Club. “I hit the ball solid over the final 36 holes only missing one green. So, this win is very satisfying because the field is deep and also because this tournament has turned into a first-class, must-play senior amateur competition. The golf course is fabulous, the staff and committee have done an outstanding job and there’s a waiting list to play.”

Gregory began the final round with a five-stroke lead over Kevin Vandenberg, the No. 1 ranked senior amateur in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com World Rankings, He exploded out of the gate birdieing No. 1, No. 3 and No. 5 to extend his lead to nine and he never looked back, firing a 2-under 34 on the front. The Methodist University graduate was the only player to break par over the final 18.

The Estero Country Club Gordon Lewis design played to 6,507 yards featuring some tantalizing, super-fast greens and only seven players were able to shoot even-par over the final 18 holes: Chris McCarthy (Florida), William Ruegge (Florida), Scott Womack (Tennessee), Jeff Turner (Canada), Hugh Brown (Toronto, Canada), John Armstrong (Florida) and Pete Allen (North Carolina).

The flight winner in the Super Senior Division (65-69 years old) was Earl Lanoue (Tampa, Florida) who posted rounds of 67-77-76-220, for a 4-over total score. Finishing T-2 with a 7-over total were Steve Humphrey (Ocala, Florida) and Hugh Brown (Canada).

In the Legends Division (70-74) John Armstrong(Fort Myers, Florida) fired rounds of 79-71-72-222, to total 6-over par edging George Wilson (Naples, Florida) by a single stroke.

In the Grand Masters Division (75-plus) Estero Country Club member Greg McCall captured the title with a 7-over par 223 total besting Sam Robinson (Jacksonville Beach, Florida) by one shot.

Jim Starnes, reigning 2024 Golfweek Super Senior Player of the Year, who plays at Fiddlesticks Country Club, finished fifth in the Super Senior Division posting scores of 77-77-74-228, for 12-over total, good enough to earn $289 in pro shop credit in Estero Country Club head pro and tournament director Andrew Plesz’ shop.

“This tournament checks all the boxes as one of the best senior amateur events in the country,” said Starnes after his round while sipping a beverage from the open bar and enjoying the buffet table that included incredible appetizers, jumbo shrimp, beef tenderloin and much more. “The Estero Country Club Board and golf committee have created an outstanding championship tournament and this is only the second year. I can’t wait to return next April for the third edition.”

The 2nd annual Estero Senior Amateur Invitational was another resounding success receiving rave reviews from players about the course, staff, hospitality, food and prizes.

The 2025 Estero Senior Amateur Invitational field was capped at 96 players with a long waiting list of entries.

Ninety-six players, 54 holes, 3 days, one course and one champion golfer – Trent Gregory – who now will be looking to three-peat when the tournament returns April 28-30, 2026!