Four-Ball Championship

Forbess & Kennedy Win Four-Ball Championship

The team of Major Forbess and Chris Kennedy made birdie on the infamous 17th hole to clinch the 59th Florida State Four-Ball Championship at TPC Sawgrass on July 12-13.    

Major Forbess, of Jacksonville, and Chris Kennedy, from Bradenton, posted a tournament total of 11-under par 133 to win the 2008 Championship. After a first round 67 on Dye’s Valley Course, the duo trailed the leading team by five strokes. Playing THE PLAYER’S Stadium Course in the final round, Forbess and Kennedy made seven birdies en route to carding a 32-34 for the low round of the day. Forbess drained a 40-foot birdie putt on the par 3, 137 yard 17th hole to secure the title by one stroke. Kennedy was last year’s Match Play runner up and finished in the top ten in this year’s Amateur Championship. Two teams shared second place honors including first round leaders Jonas DeWitte and Jason Guptill. DeWitte, of West Melbourne, and Guptill, from Rockledge, led after a first round 62 and finished with a 72 for a tie for second. Joe Tumlin, from Lithia, and Garrett Morrison, from Orlando, also finished with a tournament total of 134 recording a 65-69 for the two rounds. Morrison placed second in this year’s Amateur Championship.

Home of the PGA Tour’s THE PLAYERS Championship, the Stadium Course recently underwent a major renovation. The tees, fairways and greens were rebuilt with new sand, and a modern drainage system to encourage “firm and fast” conditions was added. The Dye’s Valley Course, that had major renovations completed in Spring 2006, features water on every hole and large greens.

ELIGIBILITY:  Entrants must both be amateur members of the FSGA.

ENTRY FEE:  $160/per team ($180/per team - members who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap). Qualifying Fee includes Entry Fee and cart fee. Those teams who advance to the Championship through qualifying must pre-register and remit an additional $220 either online at the FSGA website at www.fsga.org or by check to the FSGA office for advance payment of Championship Fees. Payment must be received by Monday, July 7 by 3:30 pm, or the team will be withdrawn from the Championship. Championship Fee includes cart fees for all competitive rounds.

EXEMPT PLAYER'S FEE: $320/per team ($340/per team - members who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap). Exempt Fee includes Championship Fee and Entry Fee for those teams eligible for exemption. (See below)

ENTRIES CLOSE:  Wednesday, May 28

EXEMPTIONS:  Teams in the following categories will be eligible for exemption provided they meet all entry and eligibility requirements (teams must remain intact).  

• Top 5 teams & ties from last year’s Four-Ball Championship
• Previous three year’s Four-Ball Champions
• Current year’s Mid-Amateur Four-Ball Champions
• Last year’s Mid-Senior Four-Ball Champions
• Last year’s Senior Four-Ball Champions

QUALIFYING:  18 holes four-ball stroke play at 8 sites. During qualifying, each team must use a golf cart. Caddies are acceptable, but he/she may not ride in a golf cart or carry the player’s clubs. Players are responsible for cart fees for all practice rounds.

CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT:  36 holes of four-ball stroke play.  On Saturday, July 12 all players will play 18 holes on the Dye’s Valley Course and on Sunday, July 13, all players will play 18 holes on the Stadium Course.  Range balls will be provided before and after each competitive round.  The lowest team score for 36 holes will be the Champion. If necessary,

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS: Kyle Henderson, of Clermont, and Bryce Voisin, of Orlando, shot 65-68--133 on the Hills course at Jupiter Hills Club in Tequesta to win the title.