Inside the FSGA - July 2021

FSGA

AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE FLORIDA STATE GOLF ASSOCIATION ~JULY 2021~

FRED BIONDI

1 2021 AMATEUR CHAMPION

75TH FLORIDA OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP FLORIDA OPEN

FIDDLESTICKS CC JULY 16 - 18

TABLE OF CONTENTS FLORIDA STATE GOLF ASSOCIATION 12630 Telecom Drive - Tampa, FL 33637

Main: (813) 632-3742 Championships & Rulings: (813) 868-5850 Club Services: (813) 868-5855

JOIN THE FSGA

Foundation Memberships $1,000.............................................. Chairman’s Level $500..................................................President’s Level $250................................... Director’s Level (Couple) $160..................................................... Director’s Level Regular Memberships $50................................................Adult Regular Level $40......................................................FJT/Junior Level $25............................................................. Patron Level All membership dollars received above the regular membership will go towards the Future of Golf Foundation.

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FOLLOW THE FLORIDA JUNIOR TOUR Twitter: @FloridaJrTour Facebook: Florida Junior Tour

2020 SCHEDULE

FSGA Men’s Competitions..................................................... 4 FSGA Women’s Competitions............................................... 4

USGA Qualifiers..................................................................................5

CHAMPIONSHIP RECAPS

Women’s International Four-Ball.......................................... 7 Senior/Mid-Amateur Four-Ball.............................................. 7 Women’s Senior Four-Ball...................................................... 7 Women’s Senior Amateur...................................................... 7 Super-Senior Amateur............................................................ 8 Senior Amateur......................................................................... 8 Florida Senior Open................................................................ 8 Two-Man Shoot-Out................................................................. 8 Women’s Shoot-Out................................................................ 9 Mid-Amateur.............................................................................. 9 Women’s Mid-Amateur........................................................... 9 Florida Hickory Open.............................................................. 9 Forty & Over Four-Ball (North)............................................ 10 Forty & Over Four-Ball (South)............................................ 10 Futures...................................................................................... 10 Super-Senior Match Play...................................................... 10 Amateur Public Links...............................................................11 Senior Amateur Match Play...................................................11 Summer Mixes...........................................................................11 Forty & Over..............................................................................11 Women’s Amateur...................................................................12 Amateur.....................................................................................13 Girls’ Junior...............................................................................14 Boys’ Junior..............................................................................14 Women’s Amateur Stroke Play............................................14

U.S. FOUR-BALL

Coelho, Herrera Champions................................................19

FLORIDA JUNIOR TOUR

Upcoming FJT Events............................................................19 Team Florida..................................................................... 20-22 Junior Florida Cup..................................................................23 College Scholarships............................................................24

RULES

Moving Natural Objects................................................. 26-27

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2021 UPCOMING MEN’S COMPETITIONS

CHAMPIONSHIP Junior Match Play (16-18) Junior Match Play (13-15) Parent-Child Junior Team 29th Amateur Match Play Junior Florida Cup 72nd Four-Ball Two-Man Scramble Mid-Amateur Four-Ball (North) Mid-Amateur Four-Ball (South) Senior Four-Ball Men’s Net Stroke Play Mixed Shoot-Out Super-Senior Four-Ball Mid-Amateur Stroke Play Southeastern Challenge Matches Senior Two-Man Shoot-Out Foursomes (Alternate-Shot) Men’s Net Four-Ball

DATE July 19-22 July 19-22 July 24-25 July 31 – August 1 July 29-August 1 TBD August 14-15 August 28-29 September 11-12 September 11-12 September 21-22 September 25-26 October 2-3 October 4-5 October 8-10 October 16-17 October 29-30 December 11-12 December 11-12

ENTRIES CLOSE June 30 June 30 July 7 July 17 June 30 Invitational July 14 August 11 September 1 September 1 September 8 September 8 September 15 September 22 September 22 Invitational October 13 November 17 November 17

LOCATION The Club at the Strand, Naples Lemon Bay Golf Club, Englewood ChampionsGate, Celebration & Orange Co. Natl.

Mission Inn Resort, Howey-in-the-Hills The Club at Mediterra, Naples Sara Bay Country Club, Sarasota Bradenton CC, Bradenton Black Diamond Ranch, Lecanto TPC Tampa Bay, Lutz Eastpointe CC, Palm Beach Gardens Pelican Marsh GC, Naples ChampionsGate CC, ChampionsGate (Orlando) Omni Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island Country Club of Winter Haven, Winter Haven Coral Creek Club, Placida Willow Point G&CC, Alexander City, AL Buckhorn Springs G&CC, Valrico (Tampa) Lakewood Ranch G&CC, Sarasota ChampionsGate GC, ChampionsGate (Orlando)

2021 UPCOMING WOMEN’S COMPETITIONS

CHAMPIONSHIP Junior Match Play Parent-Child Florida Open & Senior Open Four-Ball *NEW Net Stroke Play Mixed Shoot-Out Women’s Florida Cup Matches Senior Amateur Match Play

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DATE July 19-22 July 24-25 August 6-8 August 14-15 September 11-12 October 2-3 October 17-19 December 7-9

ENTRIES CLOSE June 30 July 7 July 14 July 28 August 25 September 15 Invitational November 17

LOCATION TBD ChampionsGate Golf Resort, Orlando Riomar CC, Vero Beach BallenIsles CC, Palm Beach Gardens Spring Run GC, Bonita Springs Amelia Island Oak Marsh GC, Amelia Island Quail West G & CC, Naples Southern Hills Plantation, Brooksville

SCHEDULE

2021 UPCOMING USGA QUALIFIERS MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS

WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS

U.S. AMATEUR QUALIFIERS

U.S. SENIOR WOMEN’S AMATEUR QUALIFIER

ENTRIES CLOSE JUNE 23 July 19-20................................................Cypress Run GC, Tarpon Springs July 22-23.......................................................................Imperial GC, Naples

ENTRIES CLOSE JULY 14 August 10....................................................... Legacy G & TC, Port St. Lucie

U.S. SENIOR AMATEUR QUALIFIERS

ENTRIES CLOSE AUGUST 4 September 2.....................................................Vinoy GC, Saint Petersburg

ENTRIES CLOSE JULY 14 July .................................................. Santa Lucia River Club, Port St. Lucie August 5...............................................................The CC of Naples, Naples August 10.............................................. The Club at Eaglebrook, Lakeland

U.S. MID-AMATEUR QUALIFIERS

U.S. WOMEN’S MID-AMATEUR QUALIFIER

U.S. FOUR-BALL QUALIFIER (2022)

ENTRIES CLOSE AUGUST 11 September 30..................................Club at Quail Ridge, Boynton Beach

ENTRIES CLOSE AUGUST 4 July 21.....................................................................Jacaranda GC, Plantation August 4........................................................................CC of Naples, Naples August 9..................................................... Club at Eaglebrooke, Lakeland

U.S. FOUR-BALL QUALIFIERS (2022)

ENTRIES CLOSE AUGUST 11 August 30................................................................Lago Mar CC, Plantation October 7................................ Lakewood National GC, Lakewood Ranch December 13................................................................... CC of Ocala, Ocala

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2021

CHAMPIONSHIP R E C A P S

HAMMOCK DUNES

SITE OF 92ND WOMEN’S AMATEUR

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CHAMPIONSHIP RECAPS

74TH WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL FOUR-BALL

SENIOR/MID-AMATEUR FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Noelle Maertz and Sherry Herman raised the first trophy of the 2021 season at the Women’s International Four-Ball Championship, surviving a playoff to capture the victory at The Wanderers Club.

Daniel DeBra and Don Whittemore teamed up to win their their FSGA championship together, raising the trophy at the Senior/Mid-Amateur Four-Ball Championship.

WOMEN’S SENIOR FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP

WOMEN’S SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Taffy Brower and Carolina Hart captured the Women’s Senior Four-Ball Championship at Black Diamond Ranch, firing a final-round 71 to take home the win with a 1-over 145 for the championship.

Kim Keyer-Scott and Christine Hunt raised the trophy at the Women’s Senior Amateur Championship at St. Johns Golf & Country Club.

This victory marked Keyer-Scott’s first Senior Amateur win, while Hunt picked up her third.

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SUPER-SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

60TH SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

David Anthony fired a final-round 68 to capture the Super-Senior Amateur Championship at The Fox Club. Anthony posted an even-par 216 to take home his second-straight Super-Senior title.

Dave Bunker came out on top at the 60th Senior Amateur Championship at Bonita Bay Club. He fired three under-par rounds to capture the three-shot victory in wire-to-wire fashion at 6-under 210.

44TH FLORIDA SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

TWO-MAN SHOOT-OUT CHAMPIONSHIP

David Branshaw used the low round of the championship to capture the 44th Florida Senior Open Championship at Miromar Lakes Golf & Beach Club. The Tampa resident fired a final-round 66 to take home the win at 12-under 204.

Mike Finster and Devin Hernandez captured the Two-Man Shoot-Out in wire-to-wire fashion at Verandah Club Golf Resort, posting a 25-under 191.

This is the third FSGA victory for Finster and the second for Hernandez.

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CHAMPIONSHIP RECAPS

WOMEN’S SHOOT-OUT CHAMPIONSHIP

The Women’s Shoot-Out had quite the exciting finish with a three-way tie between the teams of Kim Keyer-Scott/Felicia Hutnick, Lin Culver/Karen Fisher, and Diane Lang/Therese Quinn.

40TH MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Twenty-two years after capturing his first MidAmateur title, Joe Alfieri raised the Mid-Amateur trophy again. He defeated Garrett Morrison, 3 and 2, to take home the victory at the 40th Mid-Amateur Championship at The Club at Admiral’s Cove.

WOMEN’S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

FLORIDA HICKORY OPEN

After going for the green in two, Kim Benedict rolled in a short birdie on the 18th to capture the Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Laurel Oak Country Club. The Bonita Springs resident used an even-par 144 to capture the one-shot victory.

Four players raised the trophies at the inaugural Florida Hickory Open at Sara Bay Country Club.

Will Peterson, Bailey Wiegandt, Richard Grula and Natalie Wells were victorious in the inaugural championship.

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FORTY & OVER FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP (SOUTH)

FORTY & OVER FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP (NORTH)

JJ Lee and Jeff Neugebauer claimed their first FSGA Championship at the Forty & Over Four-Ball at Esplanade at Azario Lakewood Ranch. Their rounds of 66-63-129 were good enough for a one-stroke victory.

Steve Carter and Andy Purnell survived a playoff to raise the trophy at the Forty & Over Four-Ball at Amelia Island Oak Marsh Golf Course. On the first playoff hole, Purnell knocked in his putt in for the birdie that would seal the championship.

FUTURES CHAMPIONSHIP

SUPER-SENIOR AMATEUR MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Four juniors raised the trophies at the Futures Championship at Estero Country Club. Miles Russell and Sofia Cherif Essakali took home the victory in the 11-12 division, while Axel Monssoh and Marley Pedrique earned the 9-10 win.

Doug LaCrosse claimed the Super-Senior Match Play Championship, while Donald Staton and Jerry Rodeheaver took home the 70-74 Age Division and 75 & Over Age Division, respectively, at Vero Beach Country Club.

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CHAMPIONSHIP RECAPS

AMATEUR PUBLIC LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP

SENIOR AMATEUR MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Tiger Godwin was victorious at the Amateur Public Links Championship at ChampionsGate Golf Resort.

The Fort Meade native secured the one-shot victory with a 6-under 210 for the three-day championship to capture his first individual FSGA championship.

Steve Riviere prevailed through stormy weather and tough competition to be crowned the Senior Amateur Match Play champion at Orange Tree Golf Club.

SUMMER MIXED CHAMPIONSHIP

FORTY & OVER CHAMPIONSHIP

Kevin Hammer and Meghan Stasi earn a second Summer Mixed Championship win in wire-to-wire fashion at Vineyards Country Club. Stasi and Hammer hoisted the Summer Mixed trophy for the second time in five years.

Joe Alfieri became the 53rd Forty & Over champion at the Country Club of Ocala. He did so with rounds of 72-67-71—210, the only player in the field to fire three rounds at par or better.

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92ND WOMEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP After 139 holes of golf, it was Kendall Griffin who raised the 92nd Women’s Amateur trophy at the end of the day. Griffin took down Elle Nachmann, 2 and 1, on Sunday at Hammock Dunes Club.

“It really, really means a lot,” Griffin said. “I was just really excited for the opportunity to play in it again.

I was really happy with every match I won, just to keep moving forward. The FSGA is an amazing organization and I’m just very proud of myself. I’m very honored to be another champion of this event.”

Griffin became a three-time FSGA champion with this Women’s Amateur victory, having captured the Girls’ Junior title in 2013 and the Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship in 2019. The University of Louisville graduate transfer is the eighth collegiate player in the last nine years to capture the championship.

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CHAMPIONSHIP RECAPS

104TH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Forty feet. That’s the length of the birdie putt that gave Fred Biondi the lead on the 71st hole of the Amateur Championship. One hole later, he rolled in a short-par putt to be crowned the 104th Amateur champion on Sunday at Streamsong Resort.

“It means a lot,” Biondi said. “ I know the people that have won this championship and it’s an honor.

It feels good to to win. Getting this win early in the summer gives me a lot of confidence going forward.

I’m glad I won and got the job done.”

The University of Florida junior posted a final-round 71 to capture the championship by one shot at 13-under 275. This is Biondi’s fourth FSGA title, after winning the Boys’ Junior in 2016 and 2017, as well as the Amateur Public Links in 2020.

Biondi becomes just the eighth player to win both the Amateur and Boys’ Junior Championships.

He also becomes the second Florida Gator to accomplish this feat after Sam Horsfield did it in 2013 with his Amateur win.

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62ND GIRLS’ JUNIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

67TH BOYS’ JUNIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

It was Angelica Holman and Jordan Fischer who came out on top on Friday at the 62nd Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship at Bradenton Country Club.

Holman captured the 16-18 Division with a 3-under 217, while Fischer was victorious in the 13-15 Division at 1-under 215.

The weather and Innisbrook Resort proved to be a tough test, but it was Nicholas Prieto and Matvey Golovanov who came out on top at the 67th Boys’ Junior Amateur Championship.

This was the first FSGA championship victory for Holman, who finished the championship with rounds of 77-72-68. Fischer earned her first FSGA championship with rounds of 77-69-69 for the week.

Prieto went sire-to-wire to capture his first FSGA championship. He carded a 5-under 209 to secure the 11-shot victory in the 16-18 division. Golovanov captured the four-shot win in the 13-15 division at 4-over 218 to earn his first FSGA championship.

WOMEN’S AMATEUR STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP Just three weeks after finishing runner-up at the Women’s Amateur, Elle Nachmann has come out on top at the Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship. Nachmann captured the one-shot victory on Sunday at The Amelia Island Club at Long Point, finishing the weekend at 2-under 214.

“It feels great,” Nachmann said. “I knew I was playing really well coming off that great finish at the Women’s Amateur. I just told myself to keep doing what I was doing, and I did that. I played my game, stayed consistent. It got a little close at the end, but I managed to finish it out and I’m just super happy. “

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WOMEN’S FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP

BALLENISLES CC AUGUST 14 - 15

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COELHO AND HERRERA CHAMPIONS AT CHAMBERS BAY

When Kiko Francisco Coelho and Leo Herrera were paired together in the final round of the 2020 Florida Boys’ Junior, they were probably not thinking that almost a year later they would be raising the U.S. Four-Ball trophy.

But that is just what happened at Chambers Bay. Coelho and Herrera captured a dramatic 19-hole victory in Wednesday’s championship match of the 6th U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship, defeating Brendan MacDougall and Sam Meek.

“No words can describe how I feel,” Coelho said. “We came here, we knew we could win. We had a really good team. We just played solid all week.”

This was the first USGA championship appearance for both Coelho and Herrera. The 2020 FSGA Junior Player of the Year, Coelho becomes the first player from Portugal to claim a USGA championship and the second foreign-born player to etch his name on the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Trophy.

The duo formed a partnership after last year’s Boys’ Junior Amateur Championship. Coelho claimed the 66th Boys’ Junior title, with Herrera finishing just three shots behind in second place.

“I knew we could do it,” Herrera said. “I kept telling Kiko, I know we can do it; we’re going to be hard to beat.

We were tough as nails out there.”

It took an extra hole, but it was Herrera and Coelho who came out on top in Wednesday’s championship match. Tied on the 605-yard 18th hole, MacDougall nearly holes a 40-yard pitch shot and his tap-in birdie was conceded.

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This left either Coelho and Herrera with a must-make putt. Coelho missed his 20-foot birdie putt, but Herrera stepped up after him and rolled in his 14-footer to send the match to extra holes.

On the 19th hole, Coelho reached the green in two, lagged to 2 feet and holed his short birdie putt.

Meek had 4 feet for birdie to continue the match, but the putt rolled just to the left to give Herrera and Coelho the win.

The Florida duo began the week by earning the No. 8 seed with an 11-under 132 in the stroke-play seeding. They captured a win in the Round of 32 in 21 holes, fighting back from being 2-down early in the match. They took down the No. 1 seed in the Quarterfinals, defeating Kelly Chin and David Ford, 3 and 1.

Herrera and Coelho advanced to the championship match, defeating Davis Chatfield and Palmer Jackson, 3 and 2, winning four-straight holes on Nos. 4-8. The 89 holes played by Herrera and Coelho was the most played by a championship side.

A Florida Junior Tour alum, Herrera began playing in FJT events in 2015, finishing his junior career with two FJT victories and 15 top-10 finishes, along with a runner-up finish at the Boys’ Junior.

Coelho, who moved to the U.S. two years ago and is an incoming freshman at Arizona State University, was honored with the Boys’ Junior Player of the Year. Coelho won the Boys’ Junior and added his second FJT win of the year. He added five other top-10 FJT finishes this season on his way to being named the FJT Points Champion for the Boys 16-18 Division.

With this victory, the two FSGA standouts earned their way into the 121st U.S. Amateur Championship at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club in August. Coelho will also now be in the field for the U.S. Junior Amateur in July at The Country Club of North Carolina.

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FLORIDA JUNIOR T O U R

SARA BAY COUNTRY CLUB SITE OF JUNIOR FLORIDA CUP

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CHAMPIONSHIP RECAPS

UPCOMING FLORIDA JUNIOR TOUR EVENTS

CHAMPIONSHIP LPGA Open (9-12) Sam Parks Open (13-15 & 16-18) Sugar Mill (13-18) *Exempt Only* Sandridge (13-15 & 16-18) *Non-Exempt* Lemon Bay Open (13-15) Palatka Open (9-12) Everglades Open (16-18) Vineyards Open (13-15) Sara Bay Open (16-18) Pam McCloskey-Brosnihan Open (16-18) Rocky Bayou Open (13-15 & 16-18) Ocala Open (13-15) Fairwinds Open (9-12) Tour Championship (13-15 & 16-18) Indian Spring Open (16-18) River Hills Open (9-12) Brooksville (13-15 & 16-18) *Non-Exempt* Florida Club (13-18) *Exempt Only* Duran Open (16-18) Cypress Creek Open (13-15)

DATE August 7-8 August 14-15 August 21-22 August 21-22 August 28-29 September 11-12 September 11-12 September 18-19 September 18-19 September 25-26 October 2-3 October 9-10 October 16-17 November 6-7 December 4-5 December 4-5 December 11-12 December 11-12 December 18-19 December 18-19

ENTRIES CLOSE July 7 July 7 July 14 July 14 July 21 August 18 August 4 August 11 August 11 August 18 August 25 September 1 September 22 September 29 October 27 November 17 November 3 November 3 November 10 November 10

THE CC OF WINTER HAVEN SITE OF FJT TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

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FORTY-ONE JUNIORS NAMED TO TEAM FLORIDA The Florida State Golf Association, in conjunction with the FSGA Foundation, is proud to announce the 41 junior golfers named to the inaugural Team Florida. These 41 players were chosen based on performance in FSGA and USGA championships, along with sportsmanship, etiquette, integrity and passion.

Team Florida is a new awards program that identifies the top junior golfers from around the state. These players have not only demonstrated exceptional playing ability in local, state and national competitions, but also display sportsmanship and etiquette.

The FSGA and its Foundation recognizes the significant costs incurred by the families of junior golfers in perusing a competitive schedule. Families incur expenses for entry fees, transportation, lodging, meals and equipment which easily total into thousands of dollars each year.

Team Florida members will receive financial assistance to help offset the costs associated with competing in junior golf. Members will receive between $1,000-$2,000 per year, along with additional financial assistance for players who qualify for USGA championships.

In the first year of this program, the FSGA will provide approximately $60,000 of support to junior golfers.

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FLORIDA JUNIOR TOUR

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FLORIDA JUNIOR TOUR

15TH JUNIOR FLORIDA CUP Sara Bay Country Club Sarasota, Fla. August 2-3

Held annually, the Junior Florida Cup is one of the most fun and exciting golf events in Florida. Each year the state’s top junior players are invited to participate in a North Florida versus South Florida team competition similar to the Ryder Cup.

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COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS FSGA Foundation Scholars FSGA Scholars is a scholarship program made possible by the FSGA Foundation. In the Spring each year, the FSGA Foundation selects a minimum of five golfers from the FJT’s graduating class to be awarded a renewable four-year scholarship. A total of $10,000 in college scholarships will be awarded each year, resulting in $40,000 granted to each graduating class.

James E. Demick Scholarship One annual scholarship of $10,000 per year, renewable and available for a student’s graduate and undergraduate studies. The scholarship is named in honor of Jim Demick, who has spent the last 24 years of his life dedicated to the FSGA and the game of golf. Demick retired from the FSGA in December 2020 after 24 years as the Executive Director.

A native Floridian, Demick joined the FSGA as the Executive Director in 1997. During his tenure, the organization grew into the largest and most active golf association in the country. He remains a part of the FSGA family, serving as an adviser to the Association and as President of the FSGA Foundation.

FIND OUT MORE INFO AT FSGA.ORG 24

29TH AMATEUR MATCH PLAY FLORIDA OPEN

THE CLUB AT MEDITERRA JULY 29 - AUGUST 1

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OFFICIATING THE WALKER CUP Darin Green - Director of Rules & Competitions

The Walker Cup was played was in May at Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, with the United States of America edging out Great Britain & Ireland 14-12. This was the 48th playing of the Walker Cup which is a match played every two years between the 10 best amateurs from the USA against the 10 best amateurs from GB&I. The reason I am writing about the Walker Cup is that myself and a few other rules officials from Florida were very fortunate to be invited to serve on the Rules Committee this year. After accepting the invitation and going through various Covid protocols, it was time to depart Tampa and head to Juno Beach. FSGA staff members that were also fortunate to receive an invitation were Jeff Magaditsch, Jim Demick, and Jack Pultorak.

We left Tampa Thursday morning and arrived at Seminole Golf Club shortly after lunch to receive our credentials. There was a storm in the area, so we quickly departed the club and checked into the hotel. The Rules Meeting began at 5:00 PM where all of the officials introduced themselves. Then, the USGA staff went through the Local Rules sheet, discussed some unique things regarding the course, and provided us with some guidelines.

On Friday, we arrived to the course for an early lunch and then walked the course to familiarize ourselves with items on the Local Rules sheet and prepare on how to best position ourselves during the matches. After our walk of the course, we were lucky enough to cross paths with Bob Ford, Director of Golf at Seminole Golf Club, who is retiring soon. We chatted with Mr. Ford and reconnected with Matthew Cahill, who will be promoted to Director of Golf once Mr. Ford retires. Fun Fact – Mr. Cahill played the Florida Junior Tour years ago and will be competing in the 2021 Florida Open in July. Near the end of the day, we joined the Flag Raising Ceremony where the players were introduced, several people spoke including President Bush, and the flags of each country were raised while each national anthem was played.

There were two assignments for rules officials, referee or forward observer. The role of the referee was to walk with the players, apply the Rules, monitor pace of play, and announce the result of each hole. The role of a forward observer is to stay one-shot ahead of the match and search for balls, determine who is farthest

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away from the hole, and identify potential rules issues for the referee (and chat with spectators).

RULES

On Saturday, Jack Pultorak and I were assigned as forward observes for the third match of Foursomes. Jack took the left side of each hole and I took the right side. It was a perfect “walk” for an observer; we did not have any questionable issues and the weather was great. The only challenge came when our match caught the match ahead and the spectators following Match 2 lagged behind. Jack and I quickly became marshals and for several holes had to clear the spectators out of the way for our players.

I did not have any assignments in the afternoon so I walked around the course and became a spectator. It was a great day!

Jim Demick, recently retired Executive Director of the FSGA, had the very special honor of serving as the starter for all matches during the Walker Cup. Jim perfectly balanced a professional and relaxed atmosphere on the 1st tee. Saturday morning must have been a little nerve racking for him because President Bush and Governor DeSantis joined the players on the starting tee with a TV camera focused on all of them. While waiting for the first starting time, Jim was able to get the former President to laugh with a little joke before professionally, and perfectly, announcing the first match of the 48th Walker Cup Matches.

On Sunday, Jeff Magaditsch and I were assigned to the final match of the Walker Cup. Honestly, we were a little nervous; if the result of the Walker Cup came down to our match there would be masses of people and pressure! A friend texted me the night prior and said “make sure the world doesn’t know you’re name Monday morning” – which did not help with the nerves. Come go-time, Jeff and I were relaxed and focused.

Jeff served as the referee and I was the forward observer. There was a bit more work during this match because the two players hit many approach shots seemingly the exact distance from the hole, so I had to determine who was farther away from the hole. A few times, I could not determine it and Jeff actually paced off their yardages.

Our match concluded on the 16th hole and I heard it was the point that secured the win for the Americans.

It was calm around the 16th green because most of the spectators went over to the 18th green to watch Floridian Tyler Strafaci finish his match. Jeff and I shook hands, and then enjoyed our walk back to the clubhouse as the sun was setting. We returned our radios, said our thank you’s and goodbyes, hopped in the shuttled bus, found our cars and returned home.

It was an amazing and memorable experience!

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PRESERVING & PROTECTING THE GAME OF GOLF SINCE 1913