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Senior Amateur Match Play Championship

Golf Club of the Everglades - Naples

June 10-13, 2018

Pete Williams Captures Second Senior Amateur Match Play Title

Finals

Pete Williams, of Juno Beach, captured his second Senior Amateur Match Play crown on Monday, July 16th over defending champion, Owen Joyner.

When weather ultimately delayed the final match on June 13th, forcing the Championship to be extended, Williams and Joyner were unable to play the following day due to scheduling conflicts. The two gentlemen, and past champions came to an agreeable date and set to play on Monday, July 16th.

That morning, both gentlemen played some fantastic golf. Williams would birdie the first hole, then Joyner answered quickly with a birdie of his own on the 2nd to bring the match to all square. Pars would halve the 3rd and 4th holes, before Williams would birdie 5 to return to 1 up. The match would stay that way as the duo both matched each others birdies on 6 and 7, then pars on 8 & 9, before Joyner squared the match with his birdie on the 10th. Holes 11-13 would be halved with pars, until Joyner made his first mistake of the match on 14. His approach would come up on the front of the two tiered green, leaving a long putt for birdie. Joyner would three-putt to and ultimately lose to Williams par and go one down. Another mistake on 15 resulting in bogey for Joyner, saw Williams move to 2-up. On the par 3, 16th, the two players hit excellent approach shots. Joyner's 25 foot birdie putt would narrowly miss. With the door open to close out the match, Williams knocked in his 18 foot birdie putt to close out the match 3 & 2.

Stroke Play Seeding Rounds

The Golf Club of the Everglades, located in Naples, started 78 players on Sunday, June 10th vying to be crowned Senior Amateur Match Play Champion. Two rounds of stroke play would determine the low 32 players advancing to match play. Don Whittemore, of Temple Terrace, finished on top as the number one seed after two impressive and consistent rounds of 69 for a 138 (-6). Whittemore, a familiar force in FSGA events, is searching for another victory after winning the Four-Ball Championship in 2012. Past Senior Player of the Year and 2014 Senior Amateur Match Play Champion, Pete Williams, tied Richard Kerper at 139 (-5) in second place. Defending Champion, Owen Joyner, of Bonita Springs, carded two great rounds of 72-69 to finish fourth at 141 (-3). 2013 Champion, Doug LaCrosse advanced to match play along with 2017 Senior Player of the Year, George DeSear.  

The cut to the top 32 players was made at nine over-par, 153. Five players tied for 32nd and continued to a sudden-death playoff for the last spot in match play. Jose Novo, of Miami, advanced from the playoff to play number one seed, Don Whittemore, in the Round of 32 matches Monday afternoon. Tough competition would determine the 2018 Senior Match Play Champion!

Stroke Play Results 

Round of 32

The round of 32 wrapped up with many notables advancing. The number one seed, Don Whittemore, defeats Jose Novo to advance into the round of 16 where he will face Jacque Legere from Fort Myers. The 2017 Senior Amateur Championship, George DeSear, moves on to the round of 16, where he will be playing against Patrick Becker of Cape Coral. Last year's Senior Match Play Champion, Owen Joyner, has also moved on along with Micheal Cox of Naples. Other notables that have moved on are the second and third seeded players, Richard Kerper and Pete Williams. Doug LaCrosse, the winner of this year's Super Senior Amateur Championship has also advanced and will be playing against Bill Barnes, the winner of this year's Senior Amateur Championship. Round of 16 matches are currently underway.

Round of 16

The round of 16 has now ended with 8 players moving on to the quarterfinals including Medalist Don Whittemore, defending Champion Owen Joyner, 2014 Champion Pete Williams, and 2013 Champion Doug LaCrosse. Three matches exceeded 18 holes with the longest match of the day played between Richard Kerper and Bill Moore. Kerper won the 25th hole to advance to the quarterfinals. Williams played an impressive match with a 7&6 victory. LaCrosse beat out this year's Senior Amateur champion, Bill Barnes, with a 5&4 victory. The quarterfinal matches will take place Wednesday morning with the semifinal round taking place Wednesday afternoon.

Quartefinals

The quarterfinals ends with Whittemore, Kerper, Joyner and Williams advancing into the semifinals. Whittemore defeats Becker after starting off down through twelve holes but came back with three consecutive birdies to go up in the match and eventually win 2&1. Defending champion Joyner never gave up his lead in his match against Roger Dean. Joyner started off one up and steadily grew his lead to win 4&3. Kerper's match was all square after nine hole playing against Himelsbaugh. Kerper then came back with winning six consecutive hole to claim victory by 4&3. The last match of the day was played by Williams and LaCrosse. Both former champions, Williams started with wins on the first three holes and while LaCrosse fought back to only be one down, Williams won three consecutive holes to claim the victory by 3&2.

Semifinals

Joyner and Williams are victorious in the semifinal matches. The first match in the semifinals saw Joyner taking a commanding lead going four up in the front nine and then closing the match out 3 up against this year's number one seed, Don Whittemore. The second match played between Williams and Kerper was tied up for most of the round until Williams made three birdies in the back nine to get to 2 up. Kerper fought back but it wasn't enough to take the victory away from Williams who won 1 up. 

Full Results

Tee Information

Tee

Yardage / Info

Senior

6,534 yds. 70.4/130

Middle

5,509 yds. 71.4/127

Forward

5,073 yds. 67.9/122

Par: 72

Weather Information

Description

Temp

Sunny

Hot

94 °F

Sunny

Warm & Sunny!

78 °F

Tournament Results

PosPosition Name Rd.1 Rd.2 Rd.3 TotalTotal Score Points
1 Don Whittemore 69 69 0 138 0
T2 Pete Williams 68 71 0 139 0
T2 Richard Kerper 70 69 0 139 0
4 Owen Joyner 72 69 0 141 0
T5 David Tassell 73 70 0 143 0
T5 Doug LaCrosse 71 72 0 143 0
+ View Full Results

The Senior Amateur Match Play is a great chance for seniors in Florida to compete in a state Championship hosted by the Golf Club of the Everglades in Naples. Players will compete in golf's original match play format at the exclusive and prestigious Golf Club of the Everglades. For a look at the 2017 Championship Results click here.

Championship Format

  • 36 holes of individual stroke play to determine the 32 qualifiers for match play.
  • A tie for last qualifier's place will be decided immediately by a hole-by-hole play-off.
  • For purposes of determining places in the draw, ties in qualifying rounds will be decided by a blind draw.
  • In the event of a tied match, the stipulated round is deemed to extend to as many holes as are required for a match to be won.

Championship Field Size

  • 84 players

Eligibility

  • Male amateur golfer
  • At least 55 years of age as of the first day of the Championship
  • Entrant is required to be a member of the FSGA
  • A valid USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 11.4

Entry Fee

  • $185 GHIN or Foundation Member
  • $195 Non-GHIN Member

Entries are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the field is full. Entries are then placed on an alternates list in order of receipt and contacted if, and when, a spot becomes available.

Late entries are subject to a $10 late entry fee should the entrant gain acceptance into the field.

Course Set-Up & Age Divisions

The course will be set-up at approximately:

  • 6,400 - 6,500 yards - Senior Ages 55-64

Schedule of Events

Sunday, June 10
  • Round one stroke play tee times will begin at 8:00 AM off #1 and #10 tees.

Monday, June 11
  • Round 2 of stroke play. Players will be re-paired by score after round one for an 8:30 AM shotgun start.

  • If necessary, a playoff to determine the final match play seeds will commence immediately following stroke play.

  • Complimentary players' lunch buffet in the main clubhouse
  • Single elimination matches begin at 2:00 PM

Tuesday, June 12

  • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM - Round of 16 Matches

  • 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM - Quarterfinal Matches
Wednesday, June 13
  • 8:00 AM - 8:15 AM - Semifinal Matches

  • 12:30 PM - Final Match

Practice Rounds

Practice rounds are available one week prior to the championship.  Practice rounds may be played after 12:00 PM on the weekend.  The price for a practice round is $30.00 + tax.  Please call 239-354-4727 to arrange your practice round. The proper place to practice your golf swing is on the driving range, hitting multiple shots on the course is unacceptable.

Carts

Carts are included for all competitive rounds. Players are responsible for practice round fees.

Defending Champions

Owen Joyner, of Bonita Springs, began match play as the ninth seed and with determination advanced to the final match where he faced Peter Wegmann. Joyner won the final match four and three to earn his first FSGA Championship win in two years! 

Exemptions Earned from this Tournament

Winner (55-64 Age Division)

  • Next three Senior Amateur Championships
  • Current year's Florida Senior Open

 Runner-up (55-64 Age Division)

  • Next year's Senior Amateur Championship

Other Policies

  • Spectators and Spectator Cart Policy -  Click here.
  • Caddies - Caddies are allowed in all FSGA Championships except Junior events. However, a player must not use a parent, step-parent or guardian as a caddie. 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

Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples

Resort View Room - $129 +tax per night

  • Complimentary wireless internet access
  • No Resort Fees
  • Complimentary self-parking (Valet parking is not complimentary)
  • Complimentary water in guestrooms
  • Complimentary access to fitness center

All rooms are subject to applicable taxes.

The participant of the golf tournaments can reference “FSGA Senior Amateur Match Play Room Block” when calling for their reservations.

Please call (877) 557-3092 to book your room by 5/25/2018. After this date we can not guarantee you will be able to receive this rate.

Click here to view resort website

Payment

Golf Club of the Everglades accepts Visa, MasterCard, and American Express for payment.

Directions

Golf Club of the Everglades 
8835 Vanderbilt Beach Ext.
Naples, FL 34120

Click here for directions