Friedman, Dawson win Gannon titles

Tara Friedman is back in the winner?s circle for the 17th time, and the first time since 2011, as she topped the field in the Gannon Ladies Club Championship this weekend at the Gannon Golf Course in Lynn.
Friedman, who finished with a score of 155 in gross play, narrowly bested Jane Fiste (157). Fiste led by a stroke (77) at the end of day one, with Friedman and Ann Dawson, who was the winner of the Ladies Net Club Championship, tied at 78. Mary Hunt, the third place finisher, was not far behind at 81.
?It was pretty darn close,” said Friedman. “We each made a tremendous amount of pars.”
The competition drew even closer on day two. After nine holes on Sunday, Friedman led the pack at 37, but Fiste and Dawson were not far behind at 39.
It came down to the very end for Friedman and Dawson, as Friedman made a par four on the second to last hole and a par five on the last hole, while Dawson carded a five and six.
?It was very, very close,” said Friedman. “(Dawson) was great down the stretch, and I was very fortunate at the end. It was close to the point where when we finished, we had to add up the scorecards because we were convinced we had tied.”
It?s not unusual that the group finished so closely.
?It?s awesome. We always play together, we?re all very competitive,” said Friedman. “We knew it could be anybody?s game. But it?s great to be back in the winner?s circle.”
Dawson finished with a score of 140 in net play, with Cathy Thibeault coming in second (142) and Judy Johnson placing third (148).
The men?s club championship got started on Saturday and will continue next Saturday. After 36 holes, Mike Cole leads the Gross Division with a score of 143. Jay Fiste (144), John Lynch Jr. (145), Ben Friedman (148), and John Boland (149) round out the top five.In the Net Division, Matt Debenedictis and Tony Rigol ended the opening day tied at 142. Jim Lannon (143), Rick Modini (149), and John Markee (151) will make up the top five going into next weekend.