Forty & Over Four-Ball Championship (North)

TAMPA, Fla.- Seventy-eight teams of two across two different golf courses began play on Saturday, but two teams were crowned victorious in extra holes at the Forty & Over Four-Ball Championships. John Crum and Greg Eckels took home the trophy at Ocala Golf Club, while William Mallon and Bobby Bird won at Vero Beach Country Club. 

North

On a beautiful Saturday in Ocala, Martin Musgrave II and Matthew Giovannelli were able to take complete advantage of the great scoring conditions. The duo got off to a great start, making birdie on their first two holes of the day. They remained steady on the front nine, shooting 4-under for the rest of the nine. However, they were able to play their last eight holes in 6-under to take a one-shot lead over two other teams heading into day two. The teams of Tim Cobb/Ryan Irvin and Daniel DeBra were right on the tails of the lead, firing a first round score of 9-under 63.

Day two of the championship did not disappoint. After a first round score of 64, the team of John Crum and Greg Eckels knew they needed to go low on Sunday to come out on top, and they did just that. Eckels and Crum played the four-ball format to perfection, with Eckels making four birdies in his first five holes while Crum played the first five in 1-over. Crum was able to right the ship on the back nine making three birdies, including one at the last that would ultimately send the team into a playoff with first-round leaders Musgrave and Giovannelli. On the first and only playoff hole, Crum drained a 20-foot birdie putt to win the championship.

The team of Alfieri and DeBra remained steady on day two, shooting a score of 7-under 65, but it was not enough to join the two teams at 17-under, missing out on a playoff by one to finish in solo third place.

Format

• 36 holes of gross four-ball stroke play (commonly known as two-person best-ball)
• Maximum Field Size - 52 teams (104 players)
• The lowest team score for 36 holes will be the Champion

What is a Four-Ball? A four-ball is a two person team where the low score of the two players on each hole is counted. It is commonly referred to as best ball.

Eligibility 

• Male amateur golfers at least 40 years of age as of the first day of the Championship
• Both entrants are required to be members of the FSGA
• Active Florida GHIN of 15.0 or less at time of entry

Entry Fee

• $360 per team
• Entry fee includes any course fees and cart fees, and FSGA Tee Gift

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

Schedule of Events

Saturday, June 3rd

• 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM - Round one tee times off of #1 and #10

Sunday, June 4th

• 8:00 AM - Shotgun
• Awards ceremony immediately following the completion of play

Entry Priority

Entries will be accepted based upon the order of receipt. Entries received after the competitive field is full or after the close of entries, will be placed on an alternates list. Alternates will be contacted in the order of receipt of entry, if and when, a spot becomes available.

Course Set-Up

The golf course will be set-up at approximately 6,600 - 6,700 yards. 

Flights

After 18 holes, the number of flights will be based on the number of teams and the range of scores.

Practice Rounds

Practice rounds are available for $40.00 + tax on a space available basis at the following times:

• One week prior to the event, limited to after 12:00 PM on the weekend prior
• A Golf Genius booking link will be provided to schedule your practice round as we get closer to the championship

Please call (352) 401-6917 to reserve a practice round outside of the reserved block under the Golf Genius booking link. The proper place to practice your golf swing is on the driving range. Hitting multiple balls on the golf course is unacceptable.

Defending Champions

Joe Alfieri and Daniel DeBra grabbed the win at Deer Island Country Club by two strokes. The team pulled through a wire-to-wire victory after sharing the first round lead with a score of 66. Alfieri and DeBra finished with a 13-under 36-hole total of 131.

Click here to view the results.

Exemptions Earned from this Tournament

Winner

• Current year's Four-Ball Championship

Other Policies

• Spectators and Spectator Cart Policy -  Click here.
• Caddies - Caddies are NOT permitted in FSGA Championships and FSGA qualifying rounds per the FSGA Code of Conduct; except at the Florida Open, Florida Women's Open & Senior Open, and the Florida Senior Open - Click here 
• Championship Pace of Play Policy - Click here.
• Local Rules and Terms of the 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

There is currently no host hotel for this event.

Payment

Ocala Golf Club accepts cash, Mastercard, & Visa for purchases.

Directions

Ocala Golf Club
3130 E Silver Springs Blvd.
Ocala, FL 34470
352-401-6917

Click here for directions.