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North Team Wins Florida Cup Matches and Evens Series

October 25, 2003

The North team was victorious in the Florida Cup Matches as they defeated the South team by a score of 20 points to 12 points at Avila Golf and Country Club in Tampa.

After the first day of the Florida Cup Matches, the North team led the South team 10 ½ points to 5 ½ points. In the morning round of four-ball stroke play, the North earned 6 ½ points while the South team gained 1 ½ points. Florida won six of the eight morning matches and finished all square in one match to receive the half a point as did the South team. Last year’s Player-of-the-Year, Rick Woulfe and partner Frank Strafaci were the lone winners of the South team as they defeated North captain Andy Purnell and teammate Steve Carter 2 up. The afternoon round featured foursome matches and finished with both teams receiving four points.

On the final day, participants played 18 holes of singles match play. In the 16 matches, the North won eight of the matches to earn eight points as the South won five matches. Three matches finished all square thus resulting in each team receiving half a point. Andy Purnell, the 2003 State Match Play Champion, defeated Ken Dawson 4 and 2. Richard Maddox, the 2003 State Amateur Champion, also playing for the North, defeated Brent Bush 2 and 1. Ed Craig, of the North team, made five birdies on the back nine to win his match versus Bob Ethridge 1 up. For the South, Frank Strafaci overcame being 4 down to beat Paul Royak 2 up.

The North team included Andy Purnell, of Jacksonville; Richard Maddox, of Panama City; Dan Meinert, of Jacksonville; Curt Madson, of Mount Dora; Joseph Cristillo, of Crystal River; Ed Craig, of Orlando; David Sutton, of Maitland; Bret Voisin, of Orlando; Steve Carter, of Jacksonville; Ken Moody, of Ponte Vedra Beach; Doug Snoap, of Apopka; Peter Dachisen, of Wesley Chapel; Jeff Sunday, of Orlando; Chip Holcombe, of Casselberry; Mike Erickson, of Orlando and Paul Royak, of Tampa.

The South team featured Rick Woulfe, of Ft. Lauderdale; Michael Nealy, of Boca Raton; Sam Martinez, of Miami; Stuart Iliffe, of Coral Gables; Robert Keller, of Palm Beach Gardens; Bob Ethridge, of Plantation; Bob Rogoff, Coral Springs; Aaron Tallman, of Pembroke Pines; Mark Leetzow, of Sarasota; John Corzilius, of Englewood; Lee Booker, of Naples; Brent Bush, of Palm Beach Gardens; Ken Dawson, of Ft. Lauderdale; Frank Strafaci, of Davie; Doug Ritter, of Davie; Bill Griffith, of Miami Shores and Chris Muscara, of Bradenton.

Held every two years, the Florida Cup Matches vie the top 16 amateurs from North Florida versus the top 16 amateurs from South Florida. Using a Ryder-Cup format, the winner is determined by the number of points earned throughout the two days. Using the Florida State Golf Association's point standings list, players are invited based on their point standings. In 2001, South Florida won with an 18.5 to 13.5 victory at Lago Mar Country Club in Plantation. North Florida won the Matches in 1999 and the South team won in 1997.

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 20 championships for amateur golfers in the state, the FSGA is responsible for 39 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.