North Team defeats South 16.5 - 15.5 to hoist Florida Cup for first time since 2011, and even series at 6-6
PALM COAST, Fla. – North Florida won its first Florida Cup since 2011, capturing seven singles matches on Friday at Hammock Dunes Club. The North team defeated the South 16.5-15.5 to win its sixth Florida Cup title, evening the overall record at 6-6. Marc Dull secured the victory for the North, defeating Scott Turner, 2 and 1, in the final match of the day.
Thursday – Four-Ball and Foursome Matches
The North Team had a two-point lead over the South Team following Thursday's four-ball and foursome matches at the 12th Florida Cup at Hammock Dunes Club. North Florida captured five matches in the morning four-ball matches to take an early 5.5-2.5 lead. In the afternoon, South Florida cut the North’s lead to two, winning the final four matches of the day.
Two of North Florida’s team went undefeated on Thursday earning a total of four points for the team. The duo of Whittemore and David Anthony, defeated Rose and Joyner, 4 and 3, and Barnes and Rogan, 1 up, while Jones and Kerper defeated Barnes and Rogan, 5 and 3, and Rose and Joyner, 2 up.
On the South Florida side, the pair of Kasey Denesevich and Turner also won both matches, beating Knight and Joe Alfieri, 4 and 3, and Miles McConnell and Bob Campione, 4 and 3.
Friday Morning - Singles Matches
Heading into Friday’s singles matches, the North team held a two-point lead over the South, 9-7. The South team came out strong, winning the first four matches of the day. Jerry Rose put the first point on the board for the South defeating Richard Kerper, 3 and 2. Rose, who qualified for the 2018 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship, won four straight holes on the back nine to secure the victory. Ben Adelberg, Joe Shaktman and Rokki Rogan also won their matches to give South Florida an 11-9 lead early in the day.
After losing to Bill Barnes in a playoff at the 2018 Senior Amateur, Don Whittemore won five holes on the back nine to defeat Barnes 2 and 1. Whitemore was one of four players for the North Team to go undefeated in the tournament (Dull, Steve Carter and Brian Keenan).
Daniel Eggertsson tied the match at 15.5-15.5 for South Florida, defeating Cameron Knight, 1 up. The match was all square heading into the back nine, Eggertsson then went on to win three straight holes to take the lead.
The Florida Cup was ultimately decided by the final match of the day between Dull, the 2018 Mid-Amateur champion, and Turner, the 2018 Mid-Amateur Stroke Play champion. Turner took a quick lead winning the sixth hole to go 2 up. Dull brought the match back to all square with birdies on the seventh and eighth holes. Dull birdied 13 and pared 16 to win the match and the Florida Cup for the North.
Held every two years, the Florida Cup Matches vie 16 of the top amateurs from North Florida versus 16 of the top amateurs from South Florida. Using a Ryder-Cup format, the winner is determined by the number of points earned throughout the two days. Players are invited based on their performance from the previous two seasons. Some automatic selections are based on the FSGA two-year point’s standings. In 2016, South Florida won to take the lead in the series 6-5. For a look at the 2016 Cup Results click here.
Click here for a good video highlighting the Creek Course
Hosted by Hammock Dunes Club - Creek Course
Championship Format
- 16 members per team
- Each team consists of 12 amateurs and 4 senior amateur golfers
- Ryder Cup style format between the North Team and the South Team
- Each match is worth one point to the team total
- First team to 16 1/2 points wins the Cup for one year
- A 16-16 tie results in the defending champions retaining the Cup for an additional two years.
Eligibility
- Invitation only for male amateurs (21 and older).
Team Selection
- 8 Amateurs selected from the Two-Year Amateur Play of the Year Points List
- 2 Senior Amateurs selected form the Two-Year Senior Play of the Year Points List
- 4 Amateurs selected by the FSGA Championship Committee
- 2 Senior Amateurs selected by the FSGA Championship Committee
Players are selected by their standing on the Points Lists on the Wednesday after the Mid-Senior Four-Ball Championships (September 9th). Due to NCAA regulations, college players are not eligible. Any designated selections which are not filled due to ineligibility, or other reason, will be selected by the FSGA Championship Committee.
Entry Fee
$300 which includes:
- Ocean front villa at Hammock Beach Resort (2 nights with own room)
- Practice round
- Two team shirts
- Florida Cup hat
- Florida Cup towel
- Pairings Dinner
Schedule of Events
Wednesday, October 17th
- 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM - Practice rounds & Welcome Reception
Thursday, October 18th
- 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM - Four-ball matches off 1st and 10th tees
- Lunch
- 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM - Foursomes matches off 1st and 10th tees
- Pairings Party (evening)
Friday, October 19th
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM - Singles matches off 1st and 10th tees
- Awards ceremony
Course Set-Up
The golf course will be set-up at approximately
- Mid-Amateurs - 6,800-7,000 yards
- Senior Amateurs - 6,400-6,600 yards
Defending Champions
South Florida hoisted the Cup for the third consecutive time, taking a 6-5 lead in the series with North Florida at Coral Creek Club in Placida.
Other Policies
- Spectators and Spectator Cart Policy - Click here.
- 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.
- 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.
Accommodations
The FSGA does not yet have a host hotel.
Payment
Hammock Dunes Club - Creek Course will only accept Visa/MasterCard, and American Express for payment.
Directions to the Club
Hammock Dunes Club - Creek Course
24 Creek Course Drive
Palm Coast, FL 32137
386-447-7116
