Imagine what it would be like to step onto the first tee at a USGA championship representing the state of Florida. How about being a part of Florida’s twelve person team that travels the southeast battling Georgia and Alabama, or representing your half of the state in competitive and incredibly fun Ryder-Cup style matches.
All of these unique opportunities are possible because of the FSGA’s points system.
FSGA players, just like you, earn points all season long through FSGA championships, USGA championships and a few select regional competitions. Points are then used to determine or assist in the selection of the Players of the Year, Florida Cup teams, USGA State Teams, Southeastern Challenge teams and exemptions into a select number of exclusive state championships.
Men's Ranked Events | Women's Ranked Events
For those of you not familiar with the above mentioned prospects, we’ve outlined them for you below.
Players of the Year
The FSGA Championship Committee honors six players with the award for being the state’s “Player of the Year.” This achievement is given to both men and women in the following categories: Amateur Player of the Year, Senior Player of the Year and Junior Player of the Year. At season’s end, these special guests are invited to the prestigious Annual Dinner to celebrate the best Champions in the state, along with our tournament volunteers, board members, family and friends.
On top of being honored in front of 200 plus golf community members, the Players of the Year earn exemptions into some of our most competitive championships.
Men's Players of the Year | Women's Players of the Year
Florida Cup Teams
Men, women and juniors alike strive to be a member of the association’s invitation-only Florida Cup teams. The Florida Cups, which take place every year for juniors and every other year for men and women, match the best golfers in Florida against each other in a Ryder-Cup-style event. Each Florida Cup is a fun-filled three days where the top 16 players from the North and top 16 players from the South come together for great competition and memories.
Unlike the Player of the Year points lists, the men’s and women’s Florida Cups are determined through separate lists that are split by North and South regions. These lists combined the full value of points from the previous year along with points earned in the current year weighted at 150% of value. All Florida Cup Points Lists are also divided between seniors and non-seniors. Similarly, the juniors also have their own Florida Cup Points Lists separated by age divisions; however they are on a yearly basis as the Junior Florida Cup is held annually.
USGA State Teams
On a national level, the USGA Men’s and Women’s State Team Championships allow each state to be represented by their best non-college, amateur golfers. A total of 52 teams - all fifty states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia – have participated since 2001.
The FSGA selects a three player team to represent Florida in this biennial competition. The team selection for both men and women includes:
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The current Amateur Champion
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One player with the highest point total from the Two-Year Points List
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One player selected by the FSGA Championship Committee
Southeastern Challenge Teams
The final team event that players strive to be a part of is the Southeastern Challenge Matches between Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Similar to the Florida Cups, the Southeastern Challenge Matches are a biennial Ryder-Cup-style format, with four-ball and foursome matches being played on the first day and singles matches on the final day.
The determination for each team is based off of our Two-Year Points Lists which are further divided into senior and non-senior. Just like our Florid Cup Points Lists, our Two-Year Points Lists combined the full value of points from the previous year along with points earned in the current year weighted at 150% of value.
FSGA Championship Exemptions
As fun and exciting as the above state team events are, golf is primarily an individual sport, and we want to recognize those players that have worked hard all year long by awarding them with exemptions into our most prestigious state championships. Don’t worry; you don’t have to be the Player of the Year or sitting at the top of our points list to reap the rewards. We recognize players as far down on the list as 50th place!
There are so many amazing opportunities out there for our avid amateur golfers. Take a moment to see where you stand on the points lists. You may surprise yourself and see that you are only a few great finishes away from becoming a member of one of these elite teams.
