Mid-Amateur Championship

Veneziano Wins Mid-Amateur

Jon Veneziano outlasted Bret Voisin in the final match to win the 24th Mid-Amateur Championship at The Golden Bear Club at Keene’s Pointe in Orlando on October 6-9, 2005.  

Jon Veneziano, of Mount Dora, defeated Bret Voisin, of Orlando, 2 and 1 to capture the 2005 Championship. Voisin took an early lead to go 2 up after nine holes with birdies on holes 3, 4, and 8. On the back nine, Veneziano birdied holes 13 and 14 to square the match and then won the 16th hole with a par while Voisin made bogey. Veneziano closed out the match on the 17th hole with a strong birdie. Veneziano, who got into the Championship as an alternate, earned the fifth seed after posting a 142 in the 36-hole stroke play qualifying. In the first round of match play, Veneziano defeated Jackie Miller, from Naples, 3 and 1, and then went on to top Jeff Sunday, from Orlando, 5 and 4 in the quarters. In the semifinals, Veneziano upset the number one seed and defending champion, Steve Carter, from Jacksonville, in 22 holes. Voisin, the third seed, won his first two matches 3 and 2 and beat Cap Caponi, of Orlando, 1 up in the semifinals to reach the finals versus Veneziano.   

After nine qualifiers across the state, 90 players advanced to the Championship at Keene’s Pointe. The Championship consists of 36-holes of stroke play qualifying over the first two days with the lowest 16 advancing to the match play on Saturday and Sunday. To be eligible for the State Mid-Amateur, participants must be 25 years of age or older as of October 6, 2005.

Day Three Story

Round Two Story

Round One Story

Preview Story

For individuals 25 years of age and above, the Mid-Amateur has nine qualifying sites to attempt to advance to the Championship. On Thursday and Friday of the Championship week, 36 holes of stroke play are played to identify the low 32 players who will advance to match play on the weekend. The Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at Keene’s Pointe reflects the extraordinary beauty, challenging layout and environmental sensitivity that Nicklaus is known for. Surrounded by sparkling lakes and majestic oaks, this 18-hole masterpiece appeals to golfers of every level.

ELIGIBILITY

Must be age 25 or older as of October 6, 2005, and be a member of the FSGA.

ENTRY FEE

Qualifying fee: $60 ($50 for online entry) cart not included.

Championship Fee: $125 carts included.

Individuals who successfully advance to the Championship through qualifying must pre-register and remit $125 either online at www.fsga.org or by check to the FSGA office for payment of Championship fees by Thursday, September 21 at 3:30 pm, or the individual will be withdrawn from the Championship. Exempt players will only be charged the $125 Championship fee upon entry.

EXEMPTIONS

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

• Previous five year’s Mid-Amateur Champions
• Previous year’s Mid-Amateur Championship semifinalists
• Previous five year’s Amateur Champions
• Current year’s Match Play Champion
• Current year’s Public Links Champion
• Current year’s Mid-Senior Champion
• Special Exemptions as selected by the FSGA

QUALIFYING FORMAT

18 holes stroke play at 9 sites.

CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT

36 holes of stroke play on Thursday and Friday to identify the low 32 for match play. (The low 32 will have the lowest 36-hole scores)

Match play begins Friday afternoon with the final match on Sunday afternoon.

CARTS

During qualifying, each player must use a golf cart. Caddies are acceptable, but he/she may not ride in a golf cart or carry the player’s clubs. Players are responsible for cart fees for all practice rounds. Those individuals who advance to the Championship, including exempt players, must pre-register and remit a Championship fee, which includes cart fees, for all competitive rounds.

DEFENDING CHAMPION

Jon Veneziano, of Mount Dora, defeated Bret Voisin, from Orlando, 2 and 1 at The Golden Bear Club at Keene's Pointe in Orlando.