TAMPA, Fla. – The 79th Florida Open Championship will take place July 18-20 across two premier venues: Quail West Golf & Country Club (Preserve Course) and The TwinEagles Club (Talon Course). All competitors will play 18 holes at each course on Friday and Saturday, after which the field will be cut to the low 60 and ties. The final round will be held Sunday at Quail West.
Aside from exempt players, both amateurs and professionals earned their way into the field through one of 16 local qualifiers held statewide. With a $125,000 estimated purse on the line, here are a few players to watch this week.
Defending Champion & Past Titleholders
As the Florida summer heats up, so does the competition for one of the state's most prestigious titles. The 79th Florida Open returns to the spotlight from July 18–20, featuring a field loaded with decorated champions, rising stars, and local professionals eager to make their mark.
Several past champions are in the mix, bringing both talent and history to the event. Andy Pope, the 2022 champion and multiple-time U.S. Open qualifier, adds a seasoned presence to the field. Two-time winner JC Deacon (2017, 2020), who also serves as the head coach of the University of Florida men’s golf team, is hunting for a third title. Deacon’s role adds an interesting twist, as he’ll be competing alongside current and former Gators under his mentorship.
One of Florida’s most enduring figures, Joe Alfieri, the 2003 champion, remains a force. A 2024 FSGA Hall of Fame inductee, Alfieri has already added the Senior Amateur title to his resume this year at age 56, but he still has his eyes on keeping pace with the younger competition.
Another familiar name, Caleb Johnson, returns looking to recapture the form that earned him Florida Open victories in 2014 and 2016. From Palm Harbor, Johnson has shown the ability to rise to the occasion and could be a factor again at the top of the leaderboard.
Among the wave of emerging contenders is Jimmy Jones, Jr., the 2016 Florida Amateur champion and son of LPGA great Dawn Coe-Jones. A standout at both Florida Southern and USF, Jones had a near-miss at U.S. Open qualifying on “Golf’s Longest Day,” falling just one stroke shy of advancing to Oakmont.
Jacob Huizinga, the 2017 Florida Amateur winner and University of West Florida product, continues his professional progression and will look to shine in PGA Section events and the Florida Open alike.
Tyler Wilkes, a past FSGA Boys’ Junior champion and University of Florida graduate, is aiming for a breakthrough after a strong T6 finish last year. Joining him is fellow Gator alum Joseph Pagdin, the former SEC Freshman of the Year, who is set to make one of his first professional starts at this year’s championship.
Adding a compelling amateur story is James Hassell, who has shined in FSGA events throughout 2024. After earning Low Amateur honors at last year’s Florida Open and winning the Amateur Match Play title, the USF transfer (now heading to High Point University) is eager to return to form and close out the summer on a high note.
The professional ranks also feature players with national-stage experience. Michael Kartrude, an assistant pro at The Bear’s Club, earned the final qualifying spot in the PGA Championship after a dramatic playoff at the PGA Professional Championship. His
practice round alongside Masters Champion Rory McIlroy at Valhalla turned heads, and he now returns to the Florida Open as a top-10 finisher looking to capitalize on his momentum.
John Somers, a regular force on the North Florida PGA Section circuit and golf professional at Southern Hills Plantation Club, aims to improve upon his T3 finish last year and finally break through for his first Florida Open title.
Domenico Germinai of Old Corkscrew Golf Club arrives with a national title already in hand, having won the 2023 National Assistant PGA Professional Championship. With local knowledge and national-level success, Germinai will have plenty of support this week as he chases Florida Open glory.
Course Breakdown
Two of Naples’ premier golf destinations, Quail West Golf & Country Club and The TwinEagles Club, will team up to host the 79th Florida Open, with one course from each club set to challenge the field.
Quail West Golf & Country Club - Preserve Course
Designed by Arthur Hills, the Preserve Course is a member favorite known for its tree-lined fairways, demanding green complexes, and a finishing stretch that rewards precision and control.
The TwinEagles Club - Talon Course
Co-designed by Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicklaus Jr., the Talon Course offers tour-quality conditions, strategic water features, and bold risk-reward opportunities, an ideal setting for championship-caliber play.
Follow Along!
Live scoring and tee times will be updated throughout the week on FSGA.org.
