U.S. Pro Wins Guanacaste Classic

Guanacaste resident and U.S. golf pro Robert Twine claimed a slim one-stroke victory over defending champion Roy Vargas of Alajuela to win the 2009 Guanacaste Classic’s professional division July 26. The golf tournament also featured five amateur champions and a celebrated hole-in-one by Agustín Odio.

This seventh edition of the Guanacaste Classic featured a hundred amateurs competing in five full handicap divisions. Ariel Zapata won the men’s Campeonato division, Fernando Valverde led the A division, and Nixon Delgado took the B division’s top spot. Among the ladies, the Campeonato division was won by Tyra Federick and the A division by Vicky Goodloe.

The amateurs played the first round at Hacienda Pinilla and closed the tournament at Reserva Conchal Golf Club, where Odio made noise by making an ace at the newly redesigned, par-3 15th hole. The Campeonato division’s runner-up holed out a 160-yard 6-iron to write down a 1 on a scorecard he proudly took home with him.

Following its charity tradition, this year’s tournament will help support area public schools in need.

–Gregory Villalobos

gvillalobos@tourdelasamericas.com