Florida Women's Open & Senior Open

Open Division

The second Florida Women’s Open & Senior Open was hosted by Quail Creek Country Club, August 10-12. The top 52 professionals and 104 amateurs competed on both the Creek and Quail Courses in round one and two before making a cut to the top 63 players for the final round. Round one saw some red numbers at the top of the leaderboard. Defending Champion, Sandra Changkija, and Janelle Johnson tied for the early lead with a pair of 69’s.  Three players followed close behind one stroke from the top including Sandra Angulo Minarro, Guro Rambjoer, and Jessy Tang. 

Despite the weather delays in round two the field was cut to 48 players in the Open Division, 22 professionals and 26 amateurs.  Sandra Angulo Minarro overcame Changkija to take the lead heading into the final round. Sandra, of Port Saint Lucie, posted an impressive second round of 68 to capture the lead by two strokes with a 138 (-6). Changkija posted a second round 71 to finish tied for second at 140 (-4) with Guro Rambjoer and Jessy Tang. 

A second consecutive round of 68 sealed the victory for Sandra Angulo Minarro! Sandra, a professional who plays on the Symetra Tour and NWGA, played lights out golf posting rounds of 70-68-68 for a ten under-par total of 206. Four birdies on her front nine on Sunday followed by pars on the remaining holes earned Sandra Angulo Minarro her win! Defending Champion, Sandra Changkija, of Kissimmee, fell two strokes short of the win after rounds of 69-71-68—208. Laura Jansone and Luiza Altmann tied for third place at three under-par, 213. Four players finished in red numbers with the low professional, Sanda Angulo Minarro, crowned overall Champion! Dana Williams, of Boca Raton, earned the low amateur title after rounds of 72-70—217 (+1).  

Full Results 

Senior Division 

Susan Bond captured the early lead by two strokes after posting a steady 72 in round one. Familiar names tied for second place including Hiestand, Carson, and Keyer-Scott at two over-par 74.  After Saturday’s second round the field was cut to 15 players for the final round, including seven professionals and eight amateurs. Mary Jane Hiestand played steady in round two to tie Bond for the lead. Hiestand, of Naples, carded rounds of 74-75 to tie Bond at 149 (+5). One stroke behind after round two sat Kim Keyer-Scott with rounds of 74-76—150. It will be a tight race for the Championship in Sunday’s final round. 

The final round ended with a three-way tie for the lead at a 227 (+11) total. Two amateurs, Kim Keyer-Scott and Mary Jane Hiestand, tied low professional Susan Bond. A sudden-death play-off would determine the second Senior Women’s Open Champion! The three players headed to the par four 14th hole where Keyer-Scott and Hiestand advanced after making two pars. Bond fell to a bogey on the first play-off hole removing herself from the play-off. Mary Jane and Kim continued to make pars on the next two holes, but after playing the 13th hole for the second time, Hiestand would come out on top. Mary Jane Hiestand can now add Florida Senior Women's Open Champion to her impressive resume of accomplishments! 

Amy Ellertson claimed fourth place at 228, past Senior Player of the Year Gigi Higgins finished in fifth place at 229, and Laura Carson moved to sixth place at 230. Defending Champion, Barb Bunkowsky, claimed seventh place after rounds of 78-74-80—232. 

$50,000 Total Purse

NO RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
OPEN TO AMATEURS & PROFESSIONALS OF ALL AGES

The Florida Women's Open and Senior Open heads to Naples in August of 2018 and will be played at the best private club in the area, Quail Creek Country Club. Players will play 18 holes on each course before a 36 hole cut is made. This Championship will give competitors a rare opportunity to play with some of the best professionals and amateurs from around the country, allowing great players from today and tomorrow to compete together on the same turf. Play with the best, learn from the best, and be the best. For a look at the 2017 Championship results click here.

Championship Format

• 54 holes of individual stroke play
• The field will be cut to the low 60 and ties after 36 holes
• All players play 18 holes each on the Creek Course and Quail Course on Friday and Saturday
• Each division will have a separate cut line. The number of players making the cut in each division will be based on the ratio of Open players to Senior Open players at the start of round one. Example - If 1/3 of the total field are Senior Open players, then 1/3 of the players making the cut will be Senior Open players.
• The lowest score for 54-holes will determine the Champion for each division

Championship Field Size

• Maximum of 156 players

Eligibility

• Female amateur or professional golfer
• Senior Division - At least 50 years of age as of the first day of the Championship
• A valid USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 5.4 (Open Division) or 9.4 (Senior Open Division)
• Entrant is not required to be a member of the FSGA
• Entrant is NOT required to be a Florida resident
• Entries are subject to rejection, including during the event, if you falsify your residency upon entry 

Entry Fees

*Click here to review residency guidelines*

How the Field is Determined

Prior to the close of general entries: July 17th 

• EXEMPT entries will be guaranteed acceptance into the field upon receipt up until the Championship reaches capacity
• During the general entry period, non-exempt entries may be accepted into the field based upon an applicant's exceptional playing resume

After the close of the general entry period: July 18th

• NON-EXEMPT entries will be accepted into the field
• Further entries received after July 18th will be accepted on the order of receipt

Qualifier

• Should entries significantly exceed capacity, the FSGA reserves the right to conduct a one-day qualifier prior to the Championship to determine the final players in the field that have not already gained acceptance.

Alternates and Withdrawals

• Alternates - Applicants not accepted through the entry process will be placed on an alternates list based upon the strength of their application. When a Division's alternates list is exhausted, an alternate from the other Division will be used to fill an open spot.
• Withdrawals - Any withdrawals from either Division will be filled by an alternate from that Division's alternates list.

Exemptions

Players in the following categories will be eligible for exemption provided they meet all entry and eligibility requirements:

Professionals 

Open Division

• Top 15 and tied from last year's Florida Women's Open Championship
• Priority A list members from the current Symetra Tour Priority Status list
• Top 25 and tied from the current NWGA Money Leaders list
• Top 10 and tied from last year's LPGA T&CP National Championship (Champ Division)
• Top 10 and tied from last year's PGA Women's Stroke Play Championship
• Any player participating in last year's U.S. Women's Open Championship
• Active Legends Tour members at time of entry (may compete in either division if 50 years or older)

Senior Open Division - 50+ years of age

• Top 3 and tied from last year's Florida Women's Senior Open Championship
• Active Legends Tour members at time of entry
• Top 10 and tied from last year's LPGA T&CP National Championship (Champ Division)
• Any player participating in last year's U.S. Women's Open Championship

Amateurs

Open Division

• Top 15 and tied from last year's Florida Women's Open Championship
• Last and current year's FSGA Women's Amateur Champion
• Last year's FSGA Women's Amateur Stroke Play Champion
• Current year's FSGA Women's Mid-Amateur Champion
• Last year's FSGA Girls' Junior Champion (16-18 Division)
• Last year's FSGA Women's Player of the Year
• Last year's FSGA Girls' Junior Player of the Year
• Top 25 and tied from last year's final Florida Women's Player of the Year points list
• Top 20 and tied from last year's final Florida Girls' Junior Player of the Year points list
• Top 200 and tied of the Women's World Amateur Golf Rankings as of the entry open date
• Any player participating in last year's U.S. Women's Open Championship
• Any player making the cut in last year's U.S. Women's Amateur Championship

Senior Open Division

• Top 3 and tied from last year's Florida Women's Senior Open Championship
• Current year's FSGA Women's Senior Amateur Champion (Championship Division)
• Last year's FSGA Women's Senior Amateur Match Play Champion (Championship Division)
• Last year's FSGA Women's Senior Player of the Year
• Top 15 and tied from last year's Florida Women's Senior Player of the Year points list
• Any player participating in last year's U.S. Women's Open Championship
• Any player making the cut in last year's U.S. Women's Amateur Championship

Note: Any player that earns an entry exemption through a Senior Open Division category may only apply that entry exemption to the Senior Open Division. Loss of Exemptions - If a player turns professional, she loses any exemption(s) she previously earned as an amateur player with the FSGA.

Professional Prize Purse

$50,000 - click here to view the 2018 Payout Schedule

The purse will be distributed between the Open and Senior Open divisions based on entries. Players who make the cut, but fail to finish 54-holes, will receive the minimum payout. Professionals eligible for the Senior Open Division, but choosing to compete in the Open Division, are only eligible for prize money in the Division selected upon entry. Amateurs will receive their payment in the form of gift certificates redeemable to Quail Creek Country Club

Schedule of Events

Thursday, August 9th

• TBD - Player Registration 
• 5:00 - 7:00 PM - Complimentary Welcome Reception ($32 for guests)

Friday, August 10th

• 6:30 - 9:00 AM - Player Registration
• 7:30 - 9:30 AM - Round One tee times off #1 and #10 on both courses
• Buffet lunch included in entry fee

Saturday, August 11th

• 7:30 - 9:30 AM - Round Two tee times off #1 and #10 on both courses
• After 36 holes are complete, the field will be cut to the low 60 players and ties
• Buffet lunch included in entry fee

Sunday, August 12th

• 7:30 - 9:30 AM - Final Round tee times off #1 and #10
• Awards ceremony immediately following the completion of play
• Awards lunch included in entry fee

Divisions and Approximate Yardages

• Open Division - 6,300 yards 
• Senior Open Division - 5,800 yards

Switching of divisions will not be permitted after pairings are posted

Practice Rounds

Practice rounds are available on a space available basis up until the first day of the Championship. The price for a practice round is $30.00 + tax and includes cart and range balls prior to the round. To schedule a practice round, call the Quail Creek golf shop at 239-597-2900. The proper place to practice your golf swing is on the driving range, hitting multiple shots on the course is unacceptable.

Defending Champions

Former FJT standout, Sandra Changkija, fired three consecutive rounds in the 60's (66-65-68--199) to capture the title by 5 strokes over fellow professional, Samantha Wagner.

In the Senior Division, Barb Bunkowsky and Carolyn Hill found themselves tied for the lead after finishing the tournament with a 221 total. One play-off hole was all it took for Bunkowsky to solidify her victory.

Cart and Caddie Policy

Cart fees are included in the Championship Fee for all competitive rounds of the Championship. Players must utilize a golf cart for all competitive rounds. Caddies are permitted; however, the caddie may not ride and the player's bag must remain on the golf cart. All players that choose to employ a caddie must adhere to the established FSGA Pace of Play Policy.

Other Policies

• Spectators and Spectator Cart Policy -  Click here.
• Caddies - Caddies are allowed in all FSGA Championships except Junior events. The caddie MUST walk and the player’s clubs must remain on the golf cart.
• Championship Pace of Play Policy - Click here.
• Local Rules and Conditions of Competition - Click here.
• Championship Policies - Click here to read the withdrawal, dress code, and other policies.
• Procedures for Alternates - Click here for information on how alternates may gain entry into this Championship.
• Conditions/ Schedule - The FSGA Championships Committee/on-site Rules Committee reserves the right to alter any of the conditions, provisions and/or schedules. The decision of the Championships Committee/on-site Rules Committee in any matter will be final.

Host Hotel and Accommodations

The Ritz-Carlton Naples Golf Resort
2600 Tiburon Drive
Naples, FL 34109
239-593-2000

$119 +tax per night

Click here to view booking information

Hampton Inn Naples
2630 Northbrooke Plaza Drive
Naples, FL 34119
239-596-1299

$89 +tax per night - breakfast included

Click here to book online

Publicity and Promotion

By participating in The Florida Women's Open you grant the FSGA and those acting with the FSGA, permission, authority and the permanent rights to use your name or likeness for publicity and promotional purposes. Participants understand that all Media, including film, photographic prints, audio or digital files are the exclusive property of the FSGA. Participants in FSGA events waive their rights to inspect or approve all media produced by the FSGA and those acting on the FSGA's behalf. Participants waive their permanent rights to compensation for use of their name and likeness by the FSGA.

Directions - Quail Creek Country Club

13300 Valewood Drive
Naples, FL 34119
239-597-2900

Click here for directions