Ben Vertz fired a five-under par 66 in the second round to the lead by two strokes heading into the final round of the 64th Florida Open Championship at Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club in Palm Harbor. The Championship continues with the low 60 competitors and ties advancing to play the final 18 holes on the Copperhead course on July 18.

Ben Vertz, of Coral Springs, fired an opening round a 3-over par 75 on the Island course to trail the first round leader by five strokes. Vertz came out firing in the second round on the Copperhead course with a two-under par 33 on the front nine, which included two birdies and no bogeys. Vertz continued his solid play on the back nine carding a three-under par 33 for a round of 5-under par 66.  Vertz’s two-round total of 141 puts him at 2-under par for the Championship. Vertz recently finished tied for fifth at the 93rd Florida State Amateur Championship at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge and currently is a member of the Nova Southeastern Golf team.

Three players are currently tied for second place trailing Vertz by two strokes heading into the final round. Kevin Aylwin, of New Smyrna Beach, is one of the players tied for second place after carding back to back rounds of even par on the difficult Copperhead and Island courses for a two round total of 143. Aylwin recently captured the 2010 Amateur Public Links Championship at PGA Golf Club. David Ladd, of Palm Beach Gardens and the Head Professional at Tequesta Country Club, is also tied for second place after firing a second round one-under par 71 on the Island course to currently sit at even par 143 for the championship. Jerry Tucker, of Stuart, and the Head Golf Professional at Trump International Golf Club is the final player tied for second place. Tucker carded an even par 71 on the Copperhead course in the second round to go along with his even par round of 72 on the Island course in the first round. First round leader Devin Hernandez, of Seminole, is currently in a tie for sixth place with a two round total of 145.

Hernandez Leads Florida Open

Friday, July 16, 2010

Devin Hernandez fired a 2-under par 70 at the Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club in Palm Harbor to lead after the first round at the 64th Florida Open Championship. The Championship continues through Sunday, July 18.

Devin Hernandez, of Seminole, leads the field of 156 players by one stroke heading into the second round of play. Hernandez, currently a member of the University of South Florida golf team, played his first round on the Island course. Hernandez played a solid round of golf firing an even par 36 on his front nine, and followed up with a two-under par 34 on his back nine for a round of two-under par 70 on the difficult Island course. Patrick Lamb, of Lake Wales is currently tied for second place with a round of one-under par 70 on the Copperhead course.  Jamey Salmon, of Jacksonville, is also tied for second place with a round of one-under par 71 on the Island course. A group of seven players are currently tied for fourth place which includes the 2010 Amateur Public Links Champion, Kevin Aylwin, of New Smyrna Beach and the 2009 South Florida PGA Player of the Year, Ryan Garrity, of Jupiter, both firing rounds of even par.

The top 156 amateur & professional golfers in the state will play 18 holes each on the Copperhead course and the Island course on July 16-17. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the low 60 and ties. The final 18 holes of the Championship will be played on the Copperhead course on July 18. Before reaching the Championship, more than 1000 participants attempted to qualify at one of 16 sites across the state setting a new tournament record for entries filed.

Started in 1942, The Florida Open Championship has produced past champions that include Willie Turnesa, Bob Murphy, Gary Koch, Bruce Fleisher, John Huston, Dudley Hart, and Bart Bryant.  This will be the second year the Florida State Golf Association will be conducting this great championship.

Florida Open Field Set

Thursday, July 15, 2010

The top 156 Professional and Amateur golfers in the state will compete this week, July 16-18, with hopes of winning The 64th Florida Open Championship at Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club in Palm Harbor.

Before reaching the Championship, more than 1,000 participants attempted to qualify at one of 16 sites across the state. In all, 28 players earned exempt status through a variety of different means. The oldest player in the field, Bob Dickson, of Ponte Vedra Beach is 66 years young, while the youngest player in the field is the 2010 Boys Junior (13-15) Champion, Jimmy Stanger, of Tampa is 15 years old. The field consists of 78 professionals and 78 amateur golfers.

In the Championship, participants will play 18 holes each on the Copperhead Course and the Island Course on July 16-17. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the low 60 and ties. The final 18 holes of the Championship will be played on the Copperhead Course on July 18.

The 2010 field features five past amateur State Champions including, Kevin Aylwin, of New Smyrna Beach who won the 2007, 2008 & 2010 Public Links Championship and is currently attending the University of North Florida. Aylwin will be joined by the 2009 Amateur Match Play Champion Ryan Black, from Port Saint Lucie, the 2009 Mid-Amateur Champion Steve Carter, of Saint Augustine, and Tim Hume, from Tampa, the 2009 Mid-Amateur Stroke Play Champion and the 2009 Four-Ball Champion. Jimmy Stanger, of Tampa rounds out the field of amateur champions by winning the 2010 Boys Junior (13-15) Championship. 

The professional field is highlighted by Rod Perry, of Port Orange, who returns as the low professional in the 2009 Florida Open, and was the 2009 North Florida PGA Player of the Year.  Ryan Garrity, of Jupiter was the 2009 South Florida PGA Player of the Year as well as, and Gary Rusnak, of Santa Rosa Beach, who captured the Dixie Section Player of the Year honors.

Started in 1942, The Florida Open Championship has produced past champions that include Willie Turnesa, Bob Murphy, Gary Koch, Bruce Fleisher, John Huston, Dudley Hart, and Bart Bryant.  This will be the second year the Florida State Golf Association will be conducting this great championship.