TAMPA, Fla. – The 40th Mid-Amateur Championship is set to begin on Thursday at The Club at Admiral’s Cove in Jupiter. The top mid-amateurs from around the state will battle it out to be crowned the Mid-Amateur champion.
Here are five things to know before the championship begins.
By The Numbers
More than 450 entries were received for this year’s Mid-Amateur Championship, with over 350 mid-amateurs attempting to qualify. Fifty-nine players qualified at six sites around the state, joining the 25 exempt competitors at Admiral’s Cove.
Four past Mid-Amateur champions advanced to the 2021 championship through qualifying: Steve Carter, Garrett Morrison, Jon Veneziano and Paul Toliuszis.
Only 10 seniors be in the field at this year’s championship, with Joe Shaktman being the most experienced player in the field at 64 years old.
Admiral’s Cove Takes Center Stage
The Club at Admiral’s Cove will play host to it first FSGA championship, after last year’s championship was forced to be relocated due to Covid-19. Competitors will be playing on the Golf Village courses, competing on the North/West Course during the championship.
The Jupiter course was redesigned by Kipp Schulties in 2015, adding 130,000 cubic yards of fill to create a stunning and unique golf landscape in South Florida.
Past Champions Back for More
Nine past champions will be in the field at this year's championship. Two-time Mid-Amateur champions, Carter, TJ Shuart and Veneziano will both look to add a third title to their resume.
Joey Latowski will defend his Mid-Amateur title after raising the trophy at the 2020 championship, firing an 8-under 205 to take home his first FSGA championship. Other past champions include: Joe Alfieri (1999), Robert Bechtol (2017), Chip Brooke (2016), Carter (2004 & 2009), Garrett Morrison (2008), Shuart (2015 & 2019) Paul Toliuszis (2001) and Veneziano (2005 & 2013).
Players of the Year in the Mix
Two of the 2020 FSGA Players of the Year will tee it up at Admiral’s Cove: Latowski and Paul Royak. Latowski was named the Mid-Amateur Player of the Year, while Royak garnered Senior Player of the Year honors.
Alfieri, a four-time Player of the Year, will join Latowski and Royak, along with Devon Hopkins (2019), Veneziano (2013) and Jeff Golden (2007).
Match Play Will Decide A Champion
After last year’s championship was changed to a stroke-play event, this year’s championship is back to its tradition match play format. Player will compete in 36 holes of stroke play with the low 32 scores advancing to match play, with a champion being crowned in the Finals match on Sunday.
