Inside the FSGA - November 2021

FSGA

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

JACKIE STOELTING & KIM KEYER-SCOTT

FL WOMEN’S OPEN & SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONS

1

CONNOR ARENDELL

2021 FLORIDA OPEN CHAMPION

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.

FOLLOW THE FSGA

Twitter: @FSGA Instagram: @FSGA1913 Facebook: Florida State Golf Association

CHAMPIONSHIP RECAPS

Florida Open.............................................................................. 5 Florida Women’s Open & Senior Open.............................. 6 Junior Match Play..................................................................... 8 Four-Ball...................................................................................... 8 Women’s Four-Ball................................................................... 8 Two-Man Scramble.................................................................. 8 Mid-Amateur Four-Ball............................................................ 9 Women’s Net............................................................................. 9 Senior Four-Ball........................................................................ 9 Men’s Net................................................................................... 9 Mixed Shoot-Out.................................................................... 10 Mid-Amateur Stroke Play...................................................... 10 Southeastern Challenge....................................................... 10 Women’s Florida Cup............................................................ 10 Parent-Child Championship...................................................11 Senior Two-Man Shoot-Out...................................................11 Men’s Net Two-Man Shoot-Out............................................11

FLORIDA JUNIOR TOUR

Junior Florida Cup...................................................................13 Tour Championship.................................................................14 College Scholarships.............................................................15 Inaugural James E. Demick Scholarship......................16-17

2021 ANNUAL AWARDS

Hall of Fame....................................................................... 19-20 Men’s Player of the Year........................................................21 Women’s Player of the Year................................................ 22 Junior Player of the Year......................................................23 Volunteers of the Year..........................................................24

RULES

Four-Ball................................................................................... 25

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

3

2021

CHAMPIONSHIP R E C A P S

4

CHAMPIONSHIP RECAPS

FLORIDA OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP Connor Arendell began the day in a tie for tenth and four shots back of the leader. He ended the day by raising the Florida Open trophy and taking home the $15,000 first-place check.

The Fort Myers native fired bogey-free, 9-under 63 on Sunday to capture the 75th Florida Open title.

He secured the one-shot victory with a 15-under 200 for the championship.

“It feel great,” Arendell said. “I had a great final round today. Everything was on. It was the lowest I could go today, I made just about everything. It just felt good to come from behind like that and win.”

His 9-under 63 tied the competitive course record on the Long Mean course at Fiddlesticks with Stone Cowie, who posted a second-round 63, and Fletcher Brewbaker who also posted a 63 in the final round.

5

FLORIDA WOMEN’S OPEN & SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

It was Jacqueline Stoelting and Kim Keyer-Scott who raised the trophies at the Florida Women’s Open and Senior Open Championship on Sunday at Riomar Country Club.

Stoelting survived a one-hole playoff to capture the win in the Open Division, finishing the championship at 4-under 208. Keyer-Scott took home the victory in the Senior Division at 13-over 225.

Stoelting becomes the fifth Florida Women’s Open champion and the sixth professional to win the championship. Bailey Shoemaker secured LowAmateur honors for the second-straight year, finishing the weekend in a tie for third place at 3-under 209.

This is the second FSGA championship of the year for Keyer-Scott, who capture the Women’s Senior Amateur title in April. The Bonita Springs native becomes the second amateur to win the Florida Women’s Senior Open, after Mary Jane Hiestand captured the title in 2018.

6

CHAMPIONSHIP RECAPS

7

JUNIOR AMATEUR MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

72ND FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Aaron Leach raised the Junior Match Play Boys (16-18) trophy at The Club at The Strand, while Maria Jose Marin Negrete and Shawn Coultoff took home the Girls (13-18) and Boys (13-15) wins, respectively, at Lemon Bay Golf Club.

Sampson Zheng and Grant Drogosch survived three playoff holes to capture the 72nd Four-Ball Championship at Bradenton Country Club. The team secured the victory with a birdie on the third playoff hole.

WOMEN’S FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP

TWO-MAN SCRAMBLE CHAMPIONSHIP

Elle Nachmann and Amelia Williams captured the Women’s Four-Ball Championship at BallenIsles Country Club. Nachmann and Williams fired a final-round 63 to take home the win with a 16-under 128 for the championship on the South Course.

Chip Brooke and Marc Dull captured the Championship Flight while Steve Sponder and David Anthony took first in the Senior Flight. Both victories were won by one-stroke and in wire-to-wire fashion at Black Diamond Ranch.

8

MID-AMATEUR FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP

CHAMPIONSHIP RECAPS

WOMEN’S NET CHAMPIONSHIP

Two teams took home wins at the Mid-Amateur Four-Ball Championships. The duo of Dustin Dingus and Ed Waller captured the North victory at TPC Tampa Bay, while Joey Latowski and Ben Finely got the win at Eastpointe Country Club.

Nancy Bradley prevailed after a tie for the lead in the Middle Division, while Sonia Frederick captured the Forward Division at Spring Run Golf Club.

SENIOR FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP

MEN’S NET CHAMPIONSHIP

Michael Cox and Jacques Legere survived a playoff to capture the Senior Four-Ball Championship on Wednesday at Pelican Marsh Golf Club. Legere birdied the second playoff hole to secure the championship for the team.

Four players raised trophies at the Men’s Net Championship. David Mealey was victorious in the Under 50, while Rod Lewis prevailed in the 50-59.

Robert Rosenberger came out on top in the 60-69, and Bruce Moskovciak took home the win in the 70 & Over.

9

MIXED SHOOT-OUT CHAMPIONSHIP

MID-AMATEUR STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

The sibling duo of Alec Nachmann and Elle Nachmann raised the trophy for the second-straight year at the Mixed Shoot-Out Championship. They finished that championship at 13-under 131 at the Oak Marsh Golf Course at Amelia Island.

Charles Castellano posted three rounds of 68, to post a six-under-par total of 204 over 54 holes, good enough to capture Mid-Amateur Stroke Play Championship. This five-stroke victory is Castellano’s first FSGA Championship.

SOUTHEASTERN CHALLENGE MATCH

WOMEN’S FLORIDA CUP MATCHES

After six years, the Southeastern Challenge trophy will make its way back to the Sunshine State, as Team Florida captured the victory. Florida rallied on the final day to defeat Georgia and Alabama, raising the cup with a 27.5-point victory at Willow Point CC.

The Women’s Florida Cup will stay in the South for another year, as the South captured its fifth-straight victory. South Florida was victorious during the twoday championship, raising the cup with a 18.5-13.5 victory at Quail West Golf & Country Club.

10

CHAMPIONSHIP RECAPS

PARENT-CHILD CHAMPIONSHIP

Almost 500 competitors made their way to Orlando for the annual Parent-Child Championship. The 18-hole championship took place at Celebration Golf Club, ChampionsGate Golf Resort and Orange County National, while the 9-hole championship was played at the Walt Disney World Golf.

Seven teams were crowned champions: Leonard and Len Schonfeld (33 and Over), Doug and Jackson Stroup (25-32), Jon and Nicholas Veneziano (17-24), Paul and Alex Veneziano (16 and Younger), Seth and Colby Strickland (10-12), Joel and Jackson Helm (8-9), and Victor Monssoh and Marie Arnoux (6-7).

SENIOR TWO-MAN SHOOT-OUT CHAMPIONSHIP

MEN’S NET TWO-MAN SHOOT-OUT CHAMPIONSHIP

Matt Jackson and Miles McConnell captured the Senior Two-Man Shoot-Out title in wire-to-wire fashion at Buckhorn Springs Golf and Country Club, posting a 19-under 197 for the championship. Bobby Lundquist and Jerry Young took home the SuperSenior title, finishing the weekend at 8-under 208.

Four teams took home wins at the inaugural Men’s Net Two-Man Shoot-Out on Sunday at the Country Club of Ocala.

11

FLORIDA JUNIOR T O U R

12

CHAMPIONSHIP RECAPS

JUNIOR FLORIDA CUP

The Junior Florida Cup will stay in the North for another year, as the North captured its second-straight victory. North Florida dominated during the two-day championship, raising the cup with a 23-9 victory at Sara Bay Country Club.

It was the North’s 11th Junior Florida Cup victory and second-straight after winning in 2019 at Deerwood Country Club (2020 event cancelled due to COVID-19). The 14-point margin of victory is the largest in Junior Florida Cup history. Five members of the North team finished the week undefeated: Analiese Raath, Logan Hunter, Campbell Kennedy, Ava Zeng and Reggie Zhu.

13

TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

After battling windy conditions this weekend, four players were crowned champions at the Florida Junior Tour Championship on Sunday at The Country Club of Winter Haven. Nicholas Prieto captured the Boys (16-18) division, while Clipper Salmon took home the Boys (13-15) title. On the girls’ side, Ryleigh Knaub won the Girls (16-18) trophy, and Chloe Chang secured the Girls (13-15) title.

14

FLORIDA JUNIOR TOUR

FSGA SCHOLARS

FSGA Scholars is a scholarship program made possible by the Florida State Golf Association and our Future of Golf Foundation. In the Spring of each year, the FSGA selects a minimum of five golfers from the FJT’s graduating class to be awarded a renewable four-year scholarship.

Each year, a total of $10,000 in college scholarships will be presented to a group of high school seniors. The scholarships are renewable for up to four consecutive years, totaling $40,000 for each graduating class.

2021 SCHOLARS

Riley Banker

Jupiter Liberty University

Jennifer Lilly

Pembroke Pines Nova Southeastern University

Gabriela Shortridge

Cooper Foist

Panama City Florida Gulf Coast University *Barry Masters Scholar*

Orlando Florida Southern University

Julian Gauthier

Nokomis University of South Florida St. Pete

Tyler Mistretta

North Palm Beach Florida Southern University

Macy Somoskey

Sanford University of Florida

Kendall Griffin

Sebring Louisville State University *James E. Demick Scholar*

Alexandra Quinonez Naples Ave Maria University

Joshua Stewart

Winter Springs Florida State University

Manuela Herrera

Wellington College of the Holy Cross

Mark Read

Bradenton University of Florida

Tia Walker

Clearwater University of Tampa

Sam Karman

Melbourne Oglethorpe University

Makenna Rodriguez Delray Howard University *Pam McCloskey Brosnihan Scholar*

Taylor Zeng

Windermere Columbia University

15

GRIFFIN AWARDED INAUGURAL JAMES E. DEMICK SCHOLARSHIP

When Kendall Griffin was a kid, all she wanted was to be like her older sister, Kayla. So when Kayla decided to start playing golf again during high school, sevenyear-old Kendall was right behind her, wanting to play too.

Her decision to follow in her sister’s footsteps proved to be a good one. In the 15 years since she first picked up a club, Griffin has played in and won countless FSGA events, represented Florida at USGA championships and graduated from Louisiana State University as a four-year letter winner.

Most recently, Griffin has been named the inaugural recipient of the James E. Demick Scholarship.

“I was very humbled to receive this award,” Griffin said. “I’ve known and looked up to Mr. Demick for so long.

I was grateful to even be talked about for this scholarship, so words can’t even describe how honored I am to receive it.”

The scholarship is named in honor of Jim Demick, who served as the FSGA’s Executive Director for 24 years before retiring last December. He continues to serve the game and the FSGA as President of the FSGA Foundation. The scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement, sportsmanship and community service.

Griffin, who graduated from LSU in May, has grown up through the Florida Junior Tour and the FSGA, playing in her first event when she was 12 years old. The Sebring native is currently working towards her master’s degree in sports administration at the University of Louisville, where she is a member of the Cardinals women’s golf team.

“Kendall is a wonderful person,” Demick said. “She is an excellent golfer, but more importantly she is kind, courteous, and respectful to other players, teammates, coaches and officials. She is a role model for junior golfers. The FSGA Foundation is very proud to recognize her.”

Griffin’s journey in golf began in her hometown of Sebring. After Griffin’s sister introduced her to the game of golf, she began to learn at her local course, Sebring Golf Club, from the club’s pro Tom McClurg.

What she remembers most from those early days in golf was how fun McClurg made the game for her. She would play games at the course, where he would put a $1 bill in the cup and if she made the putt, she could keep the dollar. It was never forced for Griffin, she wanted to go out to the course to learn and have a good time.

“I loved being out there and learning from him,” Griffin said. “Without him being my first coach, I don’t know if my love for the game would be this strong.”

16

Griffin competed in her first Florida Junior Tour event was she was 12 years old. She was a staple at FSGA competitions throughout her junior golf career, earning a win and more than 15 top-five finishes on the Florida Junior Tour, while also winning the Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship in 2013.

“I’m very lucky to have grown up and grown my love of the game through the FSGA,” Griffin said.

She has represented the FSGA at the USGA Team Championship while also being a semifinalist at the 2017 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship and a quarterfinalist at the 2016 U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship.

Griffin took home her second FSGA championship title in 2019 at the Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship. This summer she added another FSGA major title to her resume, capturing the 92nd Women’s Amateur Championship at Hammock Dunes Club.

“Every time that I get to hoist an FSGA trophy it means so much to me because of everything that the FSGA has done for me,” Griffin said.

But more important than the wins and top finishes that Griffin has garnered, is the person she has become.

Always with a smile on her face, Griffin has nothing but respect and courtesy for her fellow competitors, the staff and volunteers. And if she isn’t the one raising the trophy at the end of a tournament, you will see her cheering on her friends.

“Golf teaches you a lot of things about life – integrity, respect and character,” Griffin said.

Griffin recently graduated from LSU, where she was a four-time letter winner for the Tigers women’s golf team, and where she helped lead the team to the NCAA Championships in her senior season. She graduated with a degree in marketing, was a four-time WGCA All-American Scholar and a three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient.

“I definitely became a better player and a better person during my time at LSU,” Griffin said. “It was a great experience and I’m still close to all the girls there.”

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Griffin was granted another year of eligibility and decided to use that extra year at the University of Louisville. She made her way to Kentucky this fall where she joined the women’s golf team and started working towards her master’s degree in sports administration.

Griffin and the Cardinals have had a great start to year, winning their final two events of the fall season, with Griffin earning a runner-up finish at the Illini Women’s Invitational.

“They’ve really made me feel a part of the Louisville family,” Griffin said. “I’ve loved getting to be here and learning new things and meeting so many new people.”

The FSGA and the FSGA Foundation could not be more proud to have Griffin be named the inaugural recipient of this prestigious scholarship.

“I just can’t explain how much the FSGA has helped me and shaped me into the golfer and person I am today,” Griffin said.

17

2021 FSGA

ANNUAL AWARDS

MEGHAN STASI

2021 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

18

ANNUAL AWARDS

STASI NAMED 2021 FSGA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE Four-time U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur champion and eight-time FSGA Women’s Amateur Player of the Year, Meghan Stasi has been selected as the 2021 FSGA Hall of Fame inductee. Stasi will be the youngest individual inducted into the FSGA Hall of Fame in the Association’s history at just forty-two years old.

“There’s so many incredible players in the state of Florida, and I’ve been fortunate to meet so many of them,” Stasi said. “It’s just a real honor to be a part of an organization that cares so much. There’s so many deserving players, so it was a complete shock.”

The 17-time FSGA champion will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the FSGA’s Annual Meeting and Banquet in Boynton Beach at the Club at Quail Ridge in February.

“It’s not just one person,” Stasi said. “There has been so many people that have been a part of my life.

Whether it’s just one round of golf, or knowing them for a lifetime. That to me is so special. There are just so many people to thank who have been a part of my career.”

Stasi has become a household name in the world of women’s amateur golf over the past decade. She has amassed four USGA championship wins, 17 state championship victories and is an eight-time FSGA Women’s Amateur Player of the Year.

The New Jersey native started playing golf at eight years old, and it was her parents and grandparents who introduced her to the game. Her parents were great athletes in their own right, her mom lettering in three sports in college and her dad playing baseball at Xavier University.

Stasi recalls that her fondest childhood golf memory came not long after she was introduced to the game, when her grandfather caddied for her in a three-hole event up in Somers Point, New Jersey. From there, her love for the game quickly grew.

But it was not until college that she would turn her attention solely to golf.

A multi-sport athlete in high school, Stasi chose to head south for college and play collegiate golf at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. She put together a standout career for the Green Wave, being named a two-time All-Conference USA honoree and helping to lead Tulane to its first NCAA Regional berth.

Following graduation, Stasi became an assistant coach at the University of Mississippi, as she pursued her master’s degree, with plans to turn professional.

But those plans took a turn when she was offered the head coaching position at Ole Miss.

19

After serving as an assistant for a year, Stasi was promoted to Rebels head women’s golf coach. At the time, this made her the youngest Division I head coach in any sport at the age of 23.

Stasi was at the helm for six seasons in Oxford, leading Ole Miss to two NCAA Tournament appearances and a team victory in just her second tournament as a collegiate head coach. She also coached Laura Evans to the best NCAA Tournament finish in school history, at the time.

It was while coaching the Rebels that Stasi picked up her first win at the 2006 U.S. Women’s MidAmateur Championship. Stasi’s players cheered her on as she raised the trophy at Old Waverly Golf Club, just 90 miles away from Oxford.

She became just the third player in USGA history to win back-to-back U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championships, when she captured the victory in 2007 at Desert Forest Golf Club in Arizona.

After back-to-back victories at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, Stasi was selected to represent the United States at the 2008 Curtis Cup at St. Andrews, where the United States was victorious, 13-7.

Not long after getting the nod for the Curtis Cup, Stasi made the move down to Florida. Since moving to the Sunshine State, she has compiled a stellar resume with the FSGA. She is a two-time Florida Women’s Amateur champion, a five-time Florida Women’s Mid-Amateur champion and has been named the FSGA Women’s Amateur Player of the Year eight times.

“It’s just really special to be able to play a sport, and at all levels, it doesn’t matter who it is, everyone just loves the game,” Stasi said.

Stasi has also continued great success in USGA championships, capturing two more victories at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship in 2010 and 2012. She joined Ellen Port as the only player to win the Women’s Mid-Amateur tile four times, while also being one of just 16 golfers to win the same USGA championship at least four times.

In addition to her achievements with the USGA and the FSGA, Stasi is a seven-time Philadelphia Women’s Amateur champion, winning seven-straight titles.

“This is just an incredible way to continue to represent the FSGA for life,” Stasi said.

20

ANNUAL AWARDS

MEN’S PLAYERS OF THE YEAR AMATEUR & MID-AMATEUR PLAYER OF THE YEAR - JOE ALFIERI Alfieri was honored with both the Amateur and Mid-Amateur Player of the Year award following an outstanding 2021 season.

Alfieri captured the 40th Mid-Amateur Championship in May, 22 years after his MidAmateur win in 1999. He became just the seventh player to win two Mid-Amateur titles.

The Lutz native earned his 14th-career FSGA title in July when he won the Forty & Over Championship. Alfieri also punched his ticket to the 121st U.S. Amateur Championship.

SENIOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR - MILES MCCONNELL Miles McConnell secured low-amateur honors with a runner-up finish at the Florida Senior Open Championship in April. He advanced to the Round of 16 at the 29th Amateur Match Play Championship in July, falling to the eventual champion, Robbie Higgins, 1 up.

McConnell qualified for his first U.S. Senior Amateur Championship, advancing to the Round of 64 at the Country Club of Detroit. He teamed up with Matt Jackson to cap off the season with a victory at the Senior Two-Man Shoot-Out Championship.

SUPER-SENIOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR - DAVID ANTHONY Anthony earned the Super-Senior Player of the Year for the second-straight year after a successful 2021 season.

The Jacksonville native went back-to-back at the SuperSenior Amateur Championship in April, raising the trophy for the second-straight year.

Anthony was also victorious in team events this season, teaming up with Randy Elliott to capture the SuperSenior Four-Ball title in October, and took home the win at the Two-Man Scramble Championship in August with Steve Sponder.

21

WOMEN’S PLAYERS OF THE YEAR WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR - ELLE NACHMANN Nachmann received the honor after a standout 2021 season. She captured her first individual FSGA victory in July at the Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship. She claimed the one-shot victory at The Amelia Island Club at Long Point, finishing the championship at 2-under 214.

She took home a runner-up finish at the 92nd Women’s Amateur Championship.

The Boca Raton native qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, defeating the defending champion, Rose Zhang, in the Round of 64 at Westchester Country Club.

Nachmann also added two team victories this season, winning the Women’s Four-Ball Championship with Amelia Williams and teaming up with her brother, Alec, to take home the win at the Mixed Shoot-Out.

WOMEN’S SENIOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR - KIM KEYER-SCOTT Keyer-Scott earned the Senior Player of the Year for the second-straight year after a successful 2021 season where she captured two FSGA championships.

The Bonita Springs native raised the trophy at the Women’s Senior Amateur Championship in April. This one-shot victory marked the second FSGA title for Keyer-Scott, who won the 2018 Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship.

Keyer-Scott added a win at the Florida Women’s Senior Open in August, becoming the second amateur to win the Florida Women’s Senior Open, after Mary Jane Hiestand captured the title in 2018.

She qualified for two USGA championships this year, the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship. Keyer-Scott advanced to the Round of 64 at The Lakewood Club in September.

22

ANNUAL AWARDS

JUNIOR PLAYERS OF THE YEAR BOY’S JUNIOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR - KIKO COELHO Coelho was again honored with the Boy’s Junior Player of the Year award following a 2021 season that included a USGA championship victory and strong showings at FSGA championships.

The highlight of Coelho’s season came in May when he teamed up with Leo Herrera to capture the 6th U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Chamber’s Bay in a dramatic 19-hole victory.

Coelho, a freshman at Arizona State University, advanced to the Quarterfinals of the 29th Amateur Match Play Championship in July.

In his last season on the Florida Junior Tour, Coelho captured his third-career FJT victory and added four top-six FJT finishes in 2021.

GIRL’S JUNIOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR - KAROLINE TUTTLE Tuttle earned back-to-back Girls’ Junior Player of the Year honors after a standout season that included top USGA and FSGA finishes.

The 17-year-old competed in her first U.S. Women’s Open Championship in June after earning one of three qualifying spots at Bradenton Country Club. She had a Round-of-16 appearance at the U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship in July and teamed up with Sophie Linder to advance to the Round of 16 at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship.

Tuttle added a Quarterfinalist appearance at the 92nd Women’s Amateur Championship at Hammock Dunes Club, while also finishing runner-up at the Women’s Four-Ball Championship with Xinyi (Iris) Wang in August.

The 2022 graduate had a strong showing on the Florida Junior Tour this season, earning four top-six finishes.

23

VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR TOURNAMENT VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - KEVIN JONES Kevin Jones has been volunteering with the FSGA for over 10 years, beginning in 2008. His dedication to the game is evident, volunteering at over 15 events in just the last year. Jones is well versed in the Rules of Golf, as a Certified Rules Official, and began serving as a tournament chairman in 2019.

Jones wanted to give back to the game that has given him so much. A few years after his first Rules of Golf workshop, he began volunteering with the FSGA. His devotion to the game is apparent, having worked 30 tournament days in 2021.

COURSE RATING VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR - PATRICK CAPOZZI Originally from Buffalo, New York, Patrick Capozzi began volunteering with the FSGA in 2015. He and his wife, Ann, retired to Florida in 2014 and he learned about the FSGA and course rating. It sounded interesting to Capozzi and he began volunteering with the FSGA shortly after. He is currently a co-captain for the Section 12 Course Rating team with Jatlow.

Capozzi worked as an accountant and began playing golf about 37 years ago, when he got talked into going out to play with his coworkers. He recalls giving it a try and immediately falling in love with the game.

COURSE RATING VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR - DAVID JATLOW Jatlow began volunteering with the FSGA in 2018, he had always had an interest in handicapping and course rating and wanted to give back to the game. The New Jersey native spent most of his life working as a lawyer in Washington, D.C. before moving to Florida with his wife, Jet, in 2005. He is currently a co-captain for the Section 12 Course Rating team with Capozzi.

It was Jet who first got Jatlow interested in golf.

Although he grew up in a golf family, he didn’t pick up the game until 2005 when Jet wanted to learn. It has become something that the couple can go out and do together.

24

TEEING AREA

RULES

Darin Green - Director of Rules & Competitions Four-Ball is one of the most common forms or partner golf; however, “Four-Ball” is one of the most unknown terms in golf. Most people mistakenly call it “best ball” which is not correct.

Four-Ball is where two players play as partners, each player plays their own ball, and the lowest score on each hole between the two players counts towards their side’s total.

The term “side” is used in golf when two or more partners are competing as a single unit.

Four-Ball can be played as match play or stroke play. It can also be played with or without handicaps. If handicaps are used, the USGA recommended handicap allowance is 90% if playing match play and 85% if playing stroke play. There is no longer an additional reduction if the partners have a large range between the two partners’ handicaps; however the Committee could impose a limit. See more on handicap allowances here.

Below are a few Rules that are unique to Four-Ball: • Only one partner is needed to represent the side. The missing player may join the side between any two holes during the round.

• Partners and their caddies may give advice to each other.

• In stroke play, partners must not agree with each other to leave a ball in place on the putting green to help either of them or any other player.

• Partners may play in any order they choose. During the play of a hole if one of the partners is farthest from the hole, the partner who is closer to the hole may play first.

• When playing Four-Ball Match Play, if a shot is conceded by the opponents, the player must not play the shot if it will assist or help their partner. If the player does make a stroke at a conceded ball and it helps his or her partner, the partner that is still to play receives a loss of hole penalty and the side’s score is the score made with the ball that was conceded.

• Partners may share clubs, but only if the combined amount of clubs between the two does not exceed 14.

• If you have not played Four-Ball before, I encourage you to try it with some friends next time you plan to tee it up.

25

PRESERVING & PROTECTING THE GAME OF GOLF SINCE 1913