When the temperatures cool down in Florida, the FSGA will be getting the annual Winter Series started! The Winter Series consists of three different age divisions, with players ages being calculated as of February 26, 2019. The first event will be taking place in early November and will run throughout the holiday season and into the new year. The last event will conclude in the final days of February. Throughout these four months, player's will have the opportunity to travel around the state and compete on top-class courses.
Each tournament is 36 holes of gross scoring split into three age divisions. Those 25-54 years old will be playing in the Mid-Amateur division while those 55-64 and 65 & over will be competing in the Senior and Super-Senior divisions, respectively. Each Winter Series allows for those competing to earn points that will be monitored by the FSGA. At the end of the Winter Series, the individual with the most points will be named the Winter Series Points Champion. In addition, players have the opportunity to earn exemptions based on their points into the 2019 FSGA State Championships.
Event #1 - The Fox Club - November 12-13, 2018
The Winter Series will kick off the 2018-2019 season at The Fox Club in Palm City. Located just outside of Port Saint Lucie, The Fox Club is a hidden gem. Originally designed in 1989 by Roy Case as Cobblestone Country Club, it was redesigned in 2004 by Open Champion, Darren Clark, and re-opened as The Fox Club
Event #2 - Southern Hills Plantation Club - November 26-27, 2018
It's not every day a Winter Series event gets to head to an upcoming FSGA State Championship site! However, on November 26 & 27, the Winter Series will make it's way to Southern Hills Plantation Club, the site of the 2019 Senior Amateur Championship. Southern Hills Plantation Club is a favorite amongst multiple FSGA players for it's pristine condition and unique course design. The Florida State Golf Association has hosted multiple events at Southern Hills Plantation Club with the most recent being the 2017 Amateur Match Play Championship that was won by Jacob Huizinga in 20 holes. What makes Southern Hills Plantation unique is the Pete Dye design of using the natural environment to form the course. This course was designed to maximize the natural elevations in Brooksville and the exquisite views that come with the elevation. This private, 18-hole course has been rated by Golf Week as one of the top 100 residential courses in the U.S.
Event #3 - Laurel Oak Country Club - December 16 & 17, 2018
The last Winter Series event for 2018 will be at Laurel Oak Country Club's East Course in Sarasota. The Gary Player design was recently renovated, and hosted the 2018 FSGA Boys' Junior Championship. The club has the reputation for having some of the fastest greens in Sarasota, and will be sure to test the field.
Event #4 - Country Club of Winter Haven - *Four-Ball* - January 14-15, 2019
The new year kicks off with a Four-Ball Winter Series event at The Country Club of Winter Haven. Since being renovated by Bill Bergin & Rees Jones in 2014, The CC of Winter Haven has become a favorite of the FSGA Staff & Players. A treat in central Florida, with no houses on property and 18 holes of high quality golf, CC of Winter Haven is on the Winter Series rotation for the third year in a row, and first as a team event.
Event #5 - Fox Hollow Golf Club - January 28-29, 2019
Fox Hollow Golf Club is one of the more challenging layouts in the Tampa Bay Region. The Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design traditionally hosts pre-qualifying for the PGA Tour's Valspar Championship every spring and will be a great test of golf.
Event #6 - LPGA International Golf Club - February 11-12, 2019
The event will be played on both the Hills Course & Jones Course at LPGA International. The two courses will both offer unique and different tests of golf and are located right near all the action of Daytona Beach.
Event #7 - Country Club of Ocala - February 24-25, 2019
The Country Club of Ocala returns to the schedule for the second year in a row after undergoing extensive restoration and tree removal in the summer of 2017. The course features many elevation changes, and is a treat that is different from the generally flat Florida terrain.
With seven events hosted by seven of Florida's top-notch golf courses, the 2018-2019 FSGA Winter Series will give golfers the opportunity to put their skills to the test. Entries are now open for the 2018 events with the entries for the 2019 events opening on October 1st. Click on any of the course names to learn a little bit more about the event and course!
