Four-Ball Championship

59^th Four-Ball Championship

TPC Sawgrass

THE PLAYERS Stadium & Dye’s Valley Courses

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

July 12 & 13, 2008

www.tpc.com/sawgrass/

Memorandum to Contestants

On behalf of the FSGA, congratulations on qualifying for the 59^th Four-Ball Championship.  We hope that you enjoy your experience in competing at a State Championship and take many favorable memories from your time at the TPC Sawgrass.

Please take time to carefully read through this packet of information.  There are several important pieces of information contained here, some of which require action by you, by a certain time (e.g. hotel reservations, practice rounds, etc.).  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the FSGA Championship Department at (813) 632-3742 or championships@fsga.org.        

Registration Deadline

By 3:30 PM, Monday, July 7^th, each team must:

All qualifying teams must remit to the FSGA office, $220 per team for advance payment of Championship fees.  Championship fees include tee gift, cart fees and range balls for all competitive rounds. Players may send a check to the FSGA office or pay by credit card online through the My FSGA Account at www.fsga.org.  Payment must be received by 3:30 PM Monday, July 7^th, or your team will be withdrawn from the Championship. Exempt teams are automatically pre-registered with a complete entry. Exempt players will only be charged the $320 Championship fee.

Failure to meet this deadline will result in withdrawal of your team.  The place will then be offered to an alternate team.  We stress that all exempt and qualifying teams must meet the deadline of 3:30 PM, Monday, July 7^th.  There will be no registration the day before the Championship.  If we have received your payment for your Championship fees by Monday, July 7^th your team has registered for the Championship. 

Championship Format

36 holes of four-ball stroke play.  On Saturday all players will play 18 holes on the Dye’s Valley Course and on Sunday 18 holes on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course.  Range balls will be provided before and after each competitive round.  Range balls will also be available after your practice round on Friday.

Tee times & Groupings

Tee times and pairings groups will be arranged and posted on the FSGA website at www.fsga.org  on or before July 3^rd. All competitors with a valid email address on file with the FSGA will have a link to the pairings emailed to them.

Practice Rounds & Practice Facilities

Practice rounds are available one week prior to the Championship on a space available basis.  Practice rounds are restricted to 12:00 PM on the weekend prior to the Championship.  Only exempt and qualifying participants may play practice rounds.

All players are allowed one practice round per course for $50 plus tax.  The cost of your practice round includes range balls and cart. Any players wishing to play an additional practice rounds the rate will be at the club’s resort rate of $240 per person plus tax.  Starting times for your practice round can be arranged by calling the club. 

You may not make your practice tee time before groupings are made. Groupings will be made on Thursday, July 3^rd and faxed to the club that morning.  The golf shop telephone number is (904) 273-3255.

Players will be allowed to practice after their practice round on Friday and after the first competitive round. 

GPS and Range Finders

In this competition, a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance ONLY. However, if, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g., gradient, wind-speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional functions are actually used.”

TPC Sawgrass

The Membership, PGA Tour, TPC Network and the board of directors would like all of you to enjoy your experience during the Four-Ball Championship.

·         Clubs will be dropped off at the valet and the staff will place your clubs on your cart.

·         Players are to change their shoes in the locker room; not in the parking lot.

·         Players are encouraged to use the services of the clubhouse including the buffets and grill room for food and beverage as well as the locker room and its services.

·         Gentlemen are prohibited from wearing their hats while in the club house.

·         TPC Sawgrass strictly prohibits the use cell phones, ear pieces & blackberry’s etc, on the golf course and in the club house. Leave your cell phone in your car.

Dress Codes

Gentlemen are required to have shirts tucked in and hats worn properly while on the golf course.  The wearing of a mock turtle neck shirts designed for golf is permitted.  All shirts must have a collar

Remember that you are guests of TPC Sawgrass. Entries are subject to rejection or withdrawal at any time (including during the event). The reason for withdrawal may include improper attire and/or unbecoming conduct.

Accommodations

Arrangements have been made at the Sawgrass Marriott for $139.00 per night; Single/Double Occupancy, plus 9% tax.  Reservations will be made on a call-in basis by June 11, 2008.  After this cut-off date, any uncommitted rooms from your group will be released and further reservation requests will be honored on a space and rate available basis. 

To make reservations please call 1-800-457-golf (4563) and ask for reservations.  Please identify yourself as an FSGA Four-Ball participant. 

PARKING

The Resort offers both valet and self-parking for all guests.  Valet parking is available at the main hotel entrance for a fee of $18.00 plus 6% tax, per night.  Self-parking is available at $6.00 plus 6% tax, per night.  All charges will be billed to your guest folio.

Pace of Play

In order to accommodate 104 players, it is essential that the game be played at a brisk pace which may be defined as 4:30 in groups of four during the Championship rounds.  The pace of play will be monitored.  If and when it should become necessary to give each player in the group a penalty for slow play, we hope they will react with the understanding that we do it in the best interest of the Championship and the other players.  The pace of play for the Championship will be posted on the Notice to Players.

The FSGA pace of play policy utilizes a two checkpoint system.

• Players will not receive warnings.
• Each group is responsible for monitoring their own pace.
• To avoid penalty, groups must complete each checkpoint hole:

1. Within 15 minutes of the group ahead, or
2. Under the allotted time.
• Checkpoints will be on holes #9 and #18.
• All players in a group are subject to penalty.

Position with Group Ahead – To stay within 15 minutes of the group ahead, players should never have an open hole and they should be in the fairway on par 4’s and 5’s when the group ahead leaves the green.

As each group completes a checkpoint hole, a Checkpoint Official will signal a color-coded card indicating the group’s status.

Caddies/Spectators

Spectators are always welcome at FSGA Championships.  However, only players are allowed to ride in carts.  If a team employs a caddie, the caddie must walk and the player’s clubs must remain on the golf cart.

Carts

All players must ride during the Championship rounds. 

Registration

There will a registration table set up in the President’s Cup Library at TPC Sawgrass to pick up your tee gift and player information the day before the Championship from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.  This is NOT a mandatory registration.  Tee gifts and additional information will be available for pick up before the competitive rounds for players not playing a practice round on Friday. If we have received your payment for your Championship fees by Monday, July 7 you have pre-registered for the Championship.

Charges

TPC Sawgrass accepts cash, Visa/MasterCard, Discover and American Express for payment.

Spike Policy

It is a condition of the Florida State Golf Association that shoes with traditionally designed spikes (regardless of composition, i.e. ceramic, plastic, etc.) or spikes, regardless of design, comprised either entirely or partially of metal (when such metal comes in contact with the surface of the putting green) are prohibited.  Penalty for breach of this condition: Disqualification.

Thank you and Good Luck!!

FSGA Championships Committee

Directions to TPC Sawgrass

(904) 273-3255

From Jacksonville International Airport: (approximately 35 min)

1. Head northwest toward Yankee Clipper Dr (49 ft)
2. Slight left at Yankee Clipper Dr (203 ft)
3. Slight left at Thomas Imeson Ave (0.3 mi)
4. Turn right to stay on Thomas Imeson Ave (43 ft)
5. Turn left to stay on Thomas Imeson Ave (404 ft)
6. Slight left at Dixie Clipper Dr (125 ft)
7. Slight right to stay on Dixie Clipper Dr looking for signs for Airport exit/Economy Parking (0.3 mi)
8. Slight right to stay on Dixie Clipper Dr (0.2 mi)
9. Slight left to stay on Dixie Clipper Dr toward signs for Jacksonville/Savannah/I-95 (0.1 mi)
10. Continue on SR-102 E (1.4 mi)
11. Merge onto I-95 S via the ramp to Jacksonville (1.6 mi)
12. Take exit 362A for SR-9A S toward Blount Island/Jax Beaches (0.2 mi)
13. Merge onto I-295 N (341 ft)
14. Continue on SR-9A S (18.3 mi)
15. Turn left to merge onto J Turner Butler Blvd/SR-202 E (7.5 mi)
16. Exit onto SR-A1A S toward Ponte Vedra/St Augustine (4.0 mi)
17. Turn right at PGA Tour Blvd (0.2 mi)
18. Turn left to stay on PGA Tour Blvd (0.1 mi)

From Orlando, Florida: (approximately 2 hours)

1. Head west on W South St toward Boone Ave (0.1 mi)
2. Merge onto I-4 E via the ramp to Daytona Beach (49.0 mi)
3. Take the exit on the left onto I-95 N toward Jacksonville (68.9 mi)
4. Take exit 329 for CR-210 toward Ponte Verde Beach/Green Cove Springs (0.3 mi)
5. Turn right at CR-210 (3.3 mi)
6. Turn left at US-1 N (0.6 mi)
7. Turn right at Palm Valley Rd (10.4 mi)
8. Turn left at SR-A1A N (0.5 mi)
9. Turn left at PGA Tour Blvd (0.2 mi)
10. Turn left to stay on PGA Tour Blvd (0.1 mi)

From Gainesville, Florida: (approximately 2 hours)

1. Head east on SR-20/SR-26 toward NE 3rd St (0.7 mi)
2. Turn left at SR-24 E (13.5 mi)
3. Slight right at US-301 N (36.3 mi)
4. Turn left to merge onto I-10 E (18.4 mi)
5. Take the exit onto I-95 S toward Jax Beaches/Daytona Beach (7.4 mi)
6. Take exit 344 for Butler Blvd/SR-202 toward Jax Beaches (0.3 mi)
7. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for SR-202 E (164 ft)
8. Slight left at J Turner Butler Blvd/SR-202 E (12.3 mi)
9. Exit onto SR-A1A S toward Ponte Vedra/St Augustine (4.0 mi)
10. Turn right at PGA Tour Blvd (0.2 mi)
11. Turn left to stay on PGA Tour Blvd (0.1 mi)

From Savannah, Georgia: (approximately 2 1/2 hours)

1. Head east on GA-25-CONN toward Fahm St (0.2 mi)
2. Turn right at Martin Luther King Jr Blvd (0.6 mi)
3. Slight right to merge onto GA-404 W/I-16 W (8.8 mi)
4. Take exit 157A to merge onto I-95 S toward Brunswick/Jacksonville
Entering Florida (120 mi)
5. Take exit 362A for SR-9A S toward Blount Island/Jax Beaches (0.2 mi)
6. Merge onto I-295 N (341 ft)
7. Continue on SR-9A S (18.3 mi)
8. Turn left to merge onto J Turner Butler Blvd/SR-202 E (7.5 mi)
9. Exit onto SR-A1A S toward Ponte Vedra/St Augustine (4.0 mi)
10. Turn right at PGA Tour Blvd (0.2 mi)
11. Turn left to stay on PGA Tour Blvd (0.1 mi)

From Tallahassee, Florida: (approximately 3 hours)

1. Head north on US-27 toward E Jefferson St (3.5 mi)
2. Merge onto I-10 E via the ramp to Lake City (163 mi)
3. Take the exit onto I-95 S toward Jax Beaches/Daytona Beach (7.4 mi)
4. Take exit 344 for Butler Blvd/SR-202 toward Jax Beaches (0.3 mi)
5. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for SR-202 E (164 ft)
6. Slight left at J Turner Butler Blvd/SR-202 E (12.3 mi)
7. Exit onto SR-A1A S toward Ponte Vedra/St Augustine (4.0 mi)
8. Turn right at PGA Tour Blvd (0.2 mi)
9. Turn left to stay on PGA Tour Blvd (0.1 mi)

From Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Florida: (approximately 5 hours)

1. Head north on SW 27th Ave/SR-9 toward Cornelia Dr (0.8 mi)
2. Turn right at S Dixie Hwy/US-1 N (1.7 mi)
3. Continue on I-95 N towards signs for I-95 N (12.3 mi)
4. Slight left at Florida's Turnpike N towards signs for Florida's Turnpike N/SR-826 W
Toll road (110 mi)
5. Take exit 152 for SR-70 toward Ft Pierce/Vero Beach Partial toll road (0.5 mi)
6. Turn right at Okeechobee Rd/SR-70 E (0.7 mi)
7. Merge onto I-95 N via the ramp to Daytona Beach (201 mi)
8. Take exit 329 for CR-210 toward Ponte Verde Beach/Green Cove Springs (0.3 mi)
9. Turn right at CR-210 (3.3 mi)
10. Turn left at US-1 N (0.6 mi)
11. Turn right at Palm Valley Rd (10.4 mi)
12. Turn left at SR-A1A N (0.5 mi)
13. Turn left at PGA Tour Blvd (0.2 mi)
14. Turn left to stay on PGA Tour Blvd (0.1 mi)

From Atlanta, Georgia: (approximately 5 1/2 hours)

1. Head southeast on Trinity Ave SW toward Washington St SW (233 ft)
2. Turn right at Washington St SW (0.4 mi)
3. Slight left at Pulliam St SW (0.2 mi)
4. Take the I-85 S/I-75 S ramp on the left (0.3 mi)
5. Merge onto I-75 S (68.0 mi)
6. Take exit 177 to merge onto GA-408 S/I-475 S toward Valdosta (15.5 mi)
7. Take the I-75 S/GA-401 S exit (0.3 mi)
8. Merge onto I-75 S Entering Florida (192 mi)
9. Take exit 435 for I-10 toward Jacksonville/Tallahassee (0.3 mi)
10. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for I-10 E/Jacksonville and merge onto I-10 E (66.2 mi)
11. Take the exit onto I-95 S toward Jax Beaches/Daytona Beach (7.4 mi)
12. Take exit 344 for Butler Blvd/SR-202 toward Jax Beaches (0.3 mi)
13. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for SR-202 E (164 ft)
14. Slight left at J Turner Butler Blvd/SR-202 E (12.3 mi)
15. Exit onto SR-A1A S toward Ponte Vedra/St Augustine (4.0 mi)
16. Turn right at PGA Tour Blvd (0.2 mi)
17. Turn left to stay on PGA Tour Blvd (0.1 mi)

The Spectacular Flagship Of PGA TOUR Golf Courses

Nearly 30 years after its conception, THE PLAYERS Stadium recently marked the final stages of a magnificent eight-month, multimillion-dollar golf course redesign. Regarded as the crown jewel of Northeast Florida, this stunning, Pete Dye-designed PGA TOUR golf course plays host to THE PLAYERS Championship – which annually attracts the strongest field in golf and is one of the PGA TOUR's most coveted titles. The course’s signature hole is the 17th – the iconic “island hole” and “The Most Photographed Hole in the World”. At once exciting and controversial, it tests even the skills of the world’s greatest golfers, including Tiger, Vijay, and Phil. Additional points of interest about this world-famous PGA TOUR golf course include:

• World-renowned, par-72 PGA TOUR golf course, marked by treacherous and sand waste areas, watery oppositions on every hole, and Scottish link-style bunkers, designed by Pete Dye
• Annual host site of THE PLAYERS Championship in May, which caters to an elite international field of PGA TOUR professionals, including Tiger Woods, Davis Love III, Fred Couples, Jim Furyk, and Vijay Singh
• #5 among Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 Courses You Can Play,” among numerous other awards
• Home of the most famous hole in golf, the signature #17 island green

Dye's Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass is the latest challenge in the grand tradition of the Tournament Players Club. The ambitious younger brother of the famous Stadium Course, this 6,838-yard, par-72 course poses a test for all handicappers — with its lush, winding fairways, sweeping greens, and water in play on every hole to test your shot-making ability and accuracy. Enter the Valley, and play where the PGA TOUR Professionals play.