TAMPA, Fla. – The Florida State Golf Association will open the 2006 Championship Schedule with the Senior Amateur Championship at Victoria Hills Golf Club in DeLand on April 11-13. Golfers interested in entering must have their entries received by March 1 since there is a qualifying stage.
There are two age divisions for the Senior Championship, 55-64 and 65 & over. Participants must be 55 or older as of April 11, 2006 to be eligible for the event. Competitors play 54 holes of stroke play over the course of the three-day Championship. Qualifying will take place at six sites across the state. Since the number of entries received has always surpassed the capacity of the Championship, a qualifying stage was instituted last year. The cost to attempt to qualify is $65 or $55 (includes cart fee) for an online entry. Individuals who successfully advance to the Championship through qualifying and exempt players must remit $200 for payment of Championship fees.
Defending Champion, Edward Craig, of Orlando, is exempt into this year’s Championship with his win last year at Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club. Rennie Law, of Tampa, won the Super Senior division last year and is also exempt into the 2006 Championship. The 2004 Champion, Bruce Scamehorn, of Winter Haven, and two-time Champion Joseph Cristillo, of Crystal River, is also exempt into this year’s Championship. The field also includes some top Seniors on the Golfweek/Titleist Senior Amateur Rankings. Steve Earsley, of Hobe Sound, and Russ Berkoben, from Naples, ranked third and seventh respectively, will be competing at Victoria Hills.
Victoria Hills Golf Club, in DeLand, is just 35 miles north of Orlando. Designed by Ron Garl, Victoria Hills is home to the Stetson University golf team and has hosted many FSGA and USGA events. The course was ranked in Golfweek’s "America’s Top 40 Best New Courses."
To register for the Senior Amateur Championship, please visit www.fsga.org or call the FSGA office at (813) 632-3742 more information.
Organized in 1913, the Florida State Golf Association is a not-for-profit organization that governs amateur golf in the state of Florida. In addition to conducting 22 championships for amateur golfers in the state, the FSGA is responsible for more than 40 qualifying tournaments for USGA National Championships. The FSGA also maintains the USGA Handicap System, performs course ratings throughout Florida and assists in junior programs and scholarships.
Contact:
Alyson Bartell
(813) 632-3742
abartell@fsga.org
