Amateur Championship

Dennis Captures Amateur Championship

Jeff Dennis won the 89th Florida State Amateur Championship shooting a tournament total of 5-under par 280 at Pine Tree Golf Club in Boynton Beach on June 22-25.  

University of North Florida golfer, Jeff Dennis, of Parkland, had a four-stroke lead heading into the final round with scores of 69-68-70. Dennis, 19, outlasted two short weather delays to shoot 37-36 in the final round to secure the Championship by four shots. In the final round, Dennis and Marc France were tied at 5-under going into the 9th hole when Dennis made birdie to jump to 6-under while France made bogey. “I was leaking oil for the first seven holes,” said Dennis. “I made a great up and down on eight for par and then birdied nine for 1-over on the front.” On the back nine, Dennis saved par on the 13th hole with a solid bunker shot to be 5-under. After missing a short birdie putt on 14, Dennis regrouped on the 15th hole to make birdie and go back to 6-under. Dennis felt he had “pretty good control after 15.” Dennis laid up on the 18th hole for bogey and clinched the Championship by four strokes. “I played well the first three rounds and just held it together today,” said Dennis. “This a great feeling, the biggest win of my career.”  Edward Kenny, of Lake Worth, was back in contention making birdie on holes 12 and 14 to also finish with a final round 73. Kenny shot 69 and a pair of 71s in the first three rounds to take second place with a 1-under 284. Marc France, of Lakeland, finished even for the tournament with rounds of 71-68-72-74 for third place.  

Dennis receives a crystal vase and his name inscribed on the Clarence Camp Championship Trophy. The top ten plus ties receive an exemption into next year’s Florida State Amateur Championship at the Westin Innisbrook Golf Resort in Palm Harbor.

Before reaching the Championship, more than 700 participants attempted to qualify at one of 13 sites across the state. In the Championship, participants play 18 holes each at Pine Tree and Hunter’s Run on June 22-23. After 36 holes, 72 players with a two-round total of 152 or better advanced to the final 36 holes at Pine Tree on June 24-25. Designed by Dick Wilson, Pine Tree is considered one of his best courses and ranked in the nation’s top 100 and placed in Florida’s top five on a regular basis.

Started in 1914, the FSGA State Amateur is the oldest continuous sporting event in the state as well as the largest amateur event in Florida. Past Amateur champions include Bob Murphy, Jerry Pate, Buddy Alexander, and PGA Tour players David Peoples, Chris Couch, and Barry Cheesman.

Round Three Story

Round Two Story

Round One Story

Started in 1914, the Amateur Championship is the oldest continuous sporting event in the state of Florida. The field will include exempt players and players who have qualified through 18 holes of stroke play at one of the 13 sites. The Championship features a field of 168 players split alternately on the two golf courses the first two days. The field is reduced to the low 70 and ties after the first two rounds to play an additional 36 holes of stroke play at Pine Tree.

Dick Wilson designed, Pine Tree is located in the marshlands of South Florida resulting in fresh water lakes that come into play on about half of the holes. Pine Tree is considered to be one of Wilson’s best courses and it is ranked in the nation’s top 100 and placed in Florida’s top five on a regular basis. Hunters Run will serve as the second site of the Amateur Championship. Designed by acclaimed golf course architects Devlin and Von Hagge in 1979, the South Course was entirely renovated in 2001. Some of the changes were - Tifeagle greens, contoured fairways and added yardage to total 7,008 yards. 

ENTRY FEE

$100 ($90 for online entry). Those individuals who advance to the Championship, including exempt players, must pre-register and remit $65 either online at the FSGA website at www.fsga.org or by check to the FSGA office for advance payment of Championship fees. Payment must be received by Friday, June 16 by 3:30 pm, or the individual will be withdrawn from the Championship. 

EXEMPTIONS

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

• Previous Amateur Champions
• Top 10 & tied from the last year’s Amateur Championship
• Top 20 & tied from the last year’s final Player of the Year Rankings
• Last year’s Boys Junior Champion (16-18 Age Division)
• Last year’s Match Play Champion
• Last year’s Public Links Champion
• Last year’s Mid-Senior Champion
• Current year’s Senior Champion (Senior Division)
• Last year’s Mid-Amateur Semifinalists
• Current year’s final Winter Series Mid-Senior Points leader
• Current year’s final Winter Series Senior Points leader
• Special Exemptions as selected by the FSGA

QUALIFYING FORMAT

18 holes stroke play at 13 sites

CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT

72 holes stroke play, cut to low 70 plus ties after 36 holes.

COURSES

Pine Tree and South course at Hunters Run

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

Ryan Abbate, of Fort Lauderdale, shot a 66-69-72-70--277 to win the Championship at 11-under par at Bear Lakes.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Arrangements have been made at the Holiday Inn - Boynton Beach for $84 per night. Call (561) 737-4600 and identify yourself as a Florida State Golf Association Competitor. Also, arrangements have been made at the Holiday Inn Express-Boca Raton for $78 per night - call (561) 482-7070 and the Hampton Inn-Boynton Beach for $99 per night - call (561) 369-0018.

HANDICAP

No higher than 11.4