The 2024 Broward Men's Amateur Championship
Kathy Gazda
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The 2024 Broward Men's Amateur Championship

One for the (all) ages!

Sometimes you just gotta’ root for an underdog.

This year’s Broward Am was one of those times, at least for this “seasoned” membership director and blog writer. Don’t get me wrong, our champion Anthony Amoroso III, (winning back-to-back titles), is a stellar player and a great guy. Our 2nd place finisher, another rising star in the area, Emil Riegger, is a terrific competitor as well. The future is bright for both these young men.

But finishing #3 in the championship flight, was, for many, a sentimental favorite. First, because he’s been around these parts for a very long time and second because he’s an incredible champion on- and off the golf course.

Ben Finley won the Broward Am in 2017, 2019, 2021. He worked with our then head pro, (now General Manager), Andrew Michael for more than a year and Ben says the results were a game changer.

That turned out to be a great decision.

But it was another decision Ben made that not only changed his game, it changed his life. Ben got clean and sober in 2016, one year before taking that first title. It’s been quite a journey.

The Indiana native started playing competitively when he was 8 or 9. He was a college stand-out at Indiana University, turned pro and played mini tours galore. One of those tours brought him to Plantation in 2001 and he never left. Jacaranda was his home course, and he loved the game but his demons kept him from reaching his full potential.

Something needed to give.

Once Ben decided to turn things around, he joined a 12-step program. He’s been sober, for 8 years, and says he works his program daily, including thanking God for being the power that he couldn’t muster alone.

Ben still loves to compete but says now he’s calm, relaxed and really enjoys the competition. He handles all of it- the good and bad days-in a much healthier way than he ever did.

It has not been easy. A lot has changed over the years, getting married, divorced, moving, changing jobs but Ben’s had one constant companion – golf. He still loves it and clearly, it still loves him—at least most days.

That includes the days of the 2024 Broward Amateur Championship where a 54 -year-old, slightly out of shape, Weston title agent gave two 20-somethings a run for their money.

Way to go, Ben.
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