TAMPA, Fla. – The 41st Mid-Amateur Championship is set to begin on Thursday at The Oaks Club in Osprey. 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 500 entries were received for this year’s Mid-Amateur Championship, with almost 400 mid-amateurs attempting to qualify. Fifty-three players qualified at six sites around the state, joining the 31 exempt competitors at The Oaks Club.
Only six seniors will be in the field at this year’s championship, with Doug Jones being the most experienced player in the field at 59 years old. Sean Butscher will be the youngest player in the field at 25 years old, just being Mid-Amateur eligible at the beginning of May.
The Oaks Club Takes Center Stage
The Oaks Club will play host to it first Mid-Amateur Championship and its sixth FSGA championship, after most recently hosting the Futures Championship in 2018. Competitors will be playing on the Eagle Course, designed by architect Arthur Hills, featuring immaculate greens and fairway surfaces, beautiful natural scenery, and plenty of water hazards and strategically placed bunkers.
Past Champions Back for More
Six past champions will be in the field at this year's championship. Two-time Mid-Amateur champions, TJ Shuart and Jon Veneziano will both look to add a third title to their resume.
Joe Alfieri will defend his Mid-Amateur title after raising the trophy at the 2021 championship, defeating Garrett Morrison in the Finals to take home his first Mid-Amateur title since 1999. Other past champions include: Joey Latowski (2020), Shuart (2015, 2019), Robert Bechtol (2017), Garrett Morrison (2008), and Veneziano (2005, 2013).
Players of the Year in the Mix
Two of the 2021 FSGA Players of the Year will tee it up at The Oaks Club: Alfieri and Miles McConnell. Alfieri was named the Amateur and Mid-Amateur Player of the Year, while McConnell garnered Senior Player of the Year honors.
Joining Alfieri and McConnell will be former FSGA Players of the Year – Latowski (2020) Paul Royak (2020), Devon Hopkins (2019), Veneziano (2013) and Jeff Golden (2007).
Match Play Will Decide A Champion
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.
