In 2013, the Florida State Golf Association will administer 45 USGA qualifiers, including 16 U.S. Open Qualifiers as well as the Sectional Qualifier at the Ritz-Carlton Members Club, in Bradenton. There will also be two U.S. Women's Open qualifiers being held at Heathrow Country Club in Heathrow, and Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach, leading to the national championship being held at Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, New York.
One of the main highlights of last year's USGA qualifying was 14 year old Andy Zhang becoming the youngest ever participant in the U.S. Open Championship. Zhang got in as an alternate, replacing Paul Casey after getting through Sectional Qualifying at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto. Another great moment was when loyal FSGA participant, Doug Snoap of Apopka, gained entrance into the U.S. Senior Open as an alternate after Nick Price withdrew. Not only did Snoap get into the Championship, he was paired in the marquee group alongside Fred Couples and Tom Watson. And finally, Latanna Stone of Valrico, became the youngest participant ever in the U.S. Women's Amateur at the age of 10 years old.
2014 marks the last year the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship will be conducted. The 2013 Championship will be held at Laurel Hills Golf Club in Lorton, Virginia. Last year's championship featured an all-Florida final with T.J. Vogel of Miami winning 12 & 10 over Kevin Aylwin of New Smyrna Beach. The FSGA will also conduct 9 U.S. Amateur Qualifiers throughout Florida leading to the Championship which will be held at The Country Club in Brookline, in Massachusetts.
The FSGA will also administer qualifiers for the U.S. Junior, U.S. Girls' Junior, U.S. Women's Amateur, U.S. Senior Amateur, U.S. Mid-Amateur and Women's Mid-Amateur Championships.
For most Florida golfers with dreams of playing on the national stage, the journey begins at these qualifiers. Needless to say it promises to be another exciting year of USGA Qualifying events in the sunshine state.
- List USGA Qualifiers in Florida
- Apply to play in a USGA Qualifier
- Printable USGA Championship schedule
