• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Leaderboard tightens headed into final round of LECOM Suncoast Classic

Twenty-six players are within five strokes of the lead with one round to play at Lakewood National.


  • By Vinnie Portell
  • | 12:57 a.m. April 19, 2025
  • East County
  • Sports
  • Share

The LECOM Suncoast has ended in a playoff in three of its six years and it wouldn’t be surprising if that was the case again this year.

The leaderboard couldn’t be much tighter after Friday's third round at Lakewood National Golf Club. 

Trey Winstead tied seven other golfers for the low round of the day on Friday with a 6-under 65 to move into a tie for first place at 15-under-par alongside Michael Johnson, who shot a 3-under 68 on Friday.

Twenty-six players sit at 10-under-par or better heading into Saturday’s fourth and final round.

Anyone who wants to take in the action can purchase tickets at LECOMSuncoastClassic.com/tickets.

Patrons should be advised that parking for the tournament can be found at Premier Sports Complex, with trolleys provided shuttles back and forth. Both parking and the shuttle service are free of charge.

Johnny Keefer lines up a putt on No. 18 at Lakewood National during the third round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic on Friday. Keefer shot a 2-under 69 to put him in a tie for 19th place.
Johnny Keefer lines up a putt on No. 18 at Lakewood National during the third round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic on Friday. Keefer shot a 2-under 69 to put him in a tie for 19th place.
Photo by Vinnie Portell
Michael Johnson lets his club fly after hitting an unsatisfactory shot on the par-3 No. 15. Johnson shot a three-under 68 on Friday to put himself in a tie for first place at 15-under-par.
Michael Johnson lets his club fly after hitting an unsatisfactory shot on the par-3 No. 15. Johnson shot a three-under 68 on Friday to put himself in a tie for first place at 15-under-par.
Photo by Vinnie Portell
Robby Shelton battles with the greenside bunker on No. 18 at Lakewood National during the third round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic on Friday evening.
Robby Shelton battles with the greenside bunker on No. 18 at Lakewood National during the third round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic on Friday evening.
Photo by Vinnie Portell
Austin Hitt studies his birdie putt on the par-3 No. 15 at Lakewood National during the third round of play on Friday.
Austin Hitt studies his birdie putt on the par-3 No. 15 at Lakewood National during the third round of play on Friday.
Photo by Vinnie Portell
Mark Goetz chips onto the 17th green after his tee shot sailed into a beverage tent during the third round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic on Friday.
Mark Goetz chips onto the 17th green after his tee shot sailed into a beverage tent during the third round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic on Friday.
Photo by Vinnie Portell
Jose Fernandez Valdes shows his disbelief after missing a putt on No. 14 at Lakewood National during the third round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic.
Jose Fernandez Valdes shows his disbelief after missing a putt on No. 14 at Lakewood National during the third round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic.
Photo by Vinnie Portell
Mark Goetz takes a second to admire his tee shot on the par-3 No. 15 at Lakewood National during the third round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic.
Mark Goetz takes a second to admire his tee shot on the par-3 No. 15 at Lakewood National during the third round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic.
Photo by Vinnie Portell
Chase Sienkiewicz pauses to consider throwing his ball in the water after missing a par putt on No. 14 during the third round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic.
Chase Sienkiewicz pauses to consider throwing his ball in the water after missing a par putt on No. 14 during the third round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic.
Photo by Vinnie Portell
Neal Shipley lets out some frustration after missing a par putt on the par-3 15th hole at Lakewood National during the third round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic.
Neal Shipley lets out some frustration after missing a par putt on the par-3 15th hole at Lakewood National during the third round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic.
Photo by Vinnie Portell
Alistair Docherty looks into the crowd on the 18th green after wind upended an umbrella to cause commotion. Docherty tied for the low score of the third round with a six-under 65.
Alistair Docherty looks into the crowd on the 18th green after wind upended an umbrella to cause commotion. Docherty tied for the low score of the third round with a six-under 65.
Photo by Vinnie Portell

 

Latest News

The the site of the proposed 1899 Fruitville apartment development is outlined in red.
  • March 19, 2026
Proposed apartments would replace Breakfast House and more on Fruitville
The Well Sarasota would include 28 condominiums and 72 hotel/condo units.
  • March 19, 2026
Is the hotel/condo trend coming to Sarasota?
Beachgoers set up near and rest on one of two concrete permeable adjustable groins on the north end of Longboat Key.
  • March 18, 2026
Town eyes Gulfside Road for next beach groin project
Condos and single-family homes for sale dot the map of downtown Sarasota and its adjacent neighborhoods.
  • March 18, 2026
Sarasota, Manatee real estate market a mixed bag

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Sports

Cooper Jones is one of seven freshmen additions for Braden River this season. The third baseman/catcher leads the team in RBIs and ranks second in batting average, as of March 10.
  • March 18, 2026
Freshmen talent takes center stage for Braden River High's softball team
The Concession Golf Club is hosting the Senior PGA Championship April 16-19.
  • March 18, 2026
Final preparations underway for The Concession to host Senior PGA Championship
Ava DiPasquale is ranked sixth in Florida among girls age 13-14 for the 2025-26 season, as well as 67th nationally in that regard, per Swimcloud.
  • March 17, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Ava DiPasquale
The Sarasota Paradise waited out a nearly two-hour weather delay before commencing their first season in USL League One. Over 2,500 fans packed the stands at Premier Sports Campus.
  • March 11, 2026
Sarasota Paradise drop professional debut to AC Boise, 1-0
Senior Jaden Morales (top) controls Middleburg junior Nathan Harvey (bottom). The Pirate won their match by decision, 6-4, and ultimately placed sixth at 126 pounds.
  • March 10, 2026
Braden River High wrestlers earn five medals at state meet
Leighton Paul holds team-high marks for batting average, runs and hits through the first six games of the Pirates' 2026 season.
  • March 9, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Leighton Paul

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now