Amateur Championship

Huizinga Goes Wire-to-Wire to Win by 5 strokes

Jacob Huizinga finished strong at Fiddlesticks Country Club for a wire-to-wire Amateur Championship victory. Huizinga started and ended his final round with a birdie. With three other birdies on holes six, 11, and 12, Jacob finished the Championship with a one under-par, 71. Huizinga posted four rounds under-par to finish with a tournament total 272, 16 under-par, and a five stroke win! Blake Dyer, of Saint Petersburg, carded four consistent rounds to move up the leadboard and finish in second place. Dyer’s final round consisted of six birdies en route to a 69 and tournament total 277 (-11). Michael DeMorat and Logan Lanier tied for third place at 10 under-par. Jimmy Jones, 2015 Amateur Champion, fell to tied for sixth after a final round 73 and Gabriel Lench, 2014 Amateur Champion, finished tied for ninth.Started in 1914, the Florida Amateur Championship 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, and PGA Tour players David Peoples, Chris Couch, Barry Cheesman and Blayne Barber.  

Third Round

Excitement occurred during round three of the Championship as 2014 Amateur Champion, Gabriel Lench posted a four under-par, 68 to jump up to tied for second place. Lench sat tied with 2015 Amateur Champion, Jimmy Jones at a total of nine under-par, 207. Both previous Champions chased Jacob Huizinga who hasn’t let his lead slip away from him. Huizinga posted a third round of 69 to move to a total of 15 under-par and a six stroke lead! Jacob finished his third round strong with four birdies on the back-nine. Tied for fourth were Logan Lanier, of Saint Augustine, and Blake Dyer, of Saint Petersburg, at eight under-par, seven strokes from the lead.  The final round on Sunday will be an exciting race to overcome Huizinga’s lead! 

Second Round

One shot separated first from second and second from third place after round two. Jacob Huizinga carded another 

impressive round to remain in the lead at 12 under-par, 132 total. Jacob birdied holes 15 through 17 at Miromar Lakes to finish his second round at five under-par, 67. Two consistent rounds, 66-67--133, propelled Michael DeMorat into second place alone at 11 under-par.  Jimmy Jones remained in contention, fighting to be crowned the Amateur Champion for a second consecutive year. Jones carded five birdies to finish his second round at four under-par, 68, in third place, three strokes from the lead. Austin Schultz, of North Port, made a scene by starting his second round with

 five straight birdies en route to a 67, 137 two day total, and fourth place finish. The field was cut at six over-par, 150, with 75 people advancing to the final two rounds of the Championship.

First Round

The top 168 amateur golfers in the state began the first round of the 99th Amateur Championship Thursday morning. The field was split between playing their first round at Fiddlesticks or Miromar Lake and they switch courses for the second round. Jacob Huizinga, the 2015 Four-Ball Champion from Orlando, took the early lead after an impressive seven-under par, 65. Huizinga lit up the back nine at Fiddlesticks with four straight birdies from the 13th to 16th holes then added a final birdie on the 18th hole. Defending champion, Jimmy Jones, of Tampa, did not linger far behind with a six-under par, 66. Jones shot the low round of the day at Miromar Lake after starting strong with four birdies in a row beginning on the third hole. 

Jones sits one shot back and in a tie for second place with Mike Andre, of Fort Myers, and Michael Demorat of Merritt Island. The 2014 Amateur Champion, Gabriel Lench, finished the first round tied for ninth after a three-under par round of 69. 

99th Amateur Field 

Full Results 

The 99th Florida State Amateur Championship is one of the oldest and most prestigious amateur golf championships in the country. This year the Amateur goes to Fiddlesticks Country Club in Fort Myers, as well as Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club.  The Amateur Championship has a rich history dating back to 1913 with A.C. Ulmer winning the first of four titles. Other past champions include: Carl Dann Jr. (5 time champion & Hall of Fame inductee), Don Bisplinghoff (4 time champion & Hall of Fame inductee), Bob Murphy, Doug Sanders, Gary Koch, Jerry Pate, Buddy Alexander, and Blayne Barber.  Click here for the 2015 tournament results.  

Championship Format

• 72 holes of individual gross stroke play
• All players play 18 holes at Fiddlesticks and 18 holes at Miromar Lakes before the 36-hole cut
• The field is split between the two courses for round one and they switch courses for round two
• The field will be cut to the low 70 and ties after 36 holes
• The final 36 holes will be played at Fiddlesticks

If necessary, there will be a hole-by-hole sudden "sudden death" play-off for the Championship. It is the player's responsibility to be present for any playoff.

Eligibility

Open to amateur golfers who must be:

• A resident of Florida (reside in Florida at least 4 months per year, have otherwise established legal residency or graduated from a Florida high school and presently attending an out-of-state college)  See complete eligibility requirements here
• A military personnel or a dependent of a military personnel based in Florida on active duty
• Must have a handicap no higher than 11.4

Entry Fees

• Qualifying Fee: Qualifying Fee includes entry fee, course and cart fees, and range balls..
• Championship Fee: Fee paid by those individuals who advance to the Championship through qualifying. Includes tee gifts and gift certificates, course and cart fees, and range balls.
  
• Exempt Fee: Exempt Fee includes Championship Fee and Entry Fee for those individuals eligible for exemption.

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

Pre-Registration

Those individuals who advance to the Championship through qualifying must pre-register and remit an additional $135 online at the FSGA website at www.fsga.org. Payment must be received by Thursday, June 16th by 3:30 pm, or the individual will be withdrawn from the Championship. Championship Fee includes cart fees for all competitive rounds.

To Pre-Register:

• Log on to the FSGA website at www.fsga.org using your email address and password
• Click on "My Account" in the upper right hand corner of the homepage
• Under "My Tournaments", click on the "Pre-Register" button to the right of the tournament name
• Enter your credit card information and then click the "Charge My Card" button on the bottom right hand corner of the page

Refunds, Notice of Withdrawals

Requests for qualifying entry refunds received prior to entry closing date will be honored (less $20 per entry administrative fee). Requests received after the closing date will be honored (less 50% of entry fee). No requests will be honored within two days of scheduled start date.

Requests for refunds of Exempt or Championship fees prior to the pre-registration deadline will be honored (less $20 per entry administrative fee). No requests will be honored after the pre-registration deadline.

Schedule of Events

Thursday, June 23th

• 8:00 AM - 9:57 AM - Round One tee times off of #1 and #10 at Fiddlesticks (Long Mean course)
• 8:00 AM - 9:57 AM - Round One tee times off of #1 and #10 at Miromar Lakes

• 8:00 AM - 9:57 AM - Round Two tee times off of #1 and #10 at Fiddlesticks (Long Mean course)
• 8:00 AM - 9:57 AM - Round Two tee times off of #1 and #10 at Miromar Lakes
• After the completion of play the field will be cut to low 70 players and ties

• 8:00 AM - 9:57 AM Round Three tee times off of #1 and #10 at Fiddlesticks (Long Mean course)

• 8:00 AM - 9:57 AM Final Round tee times off of #1 and #10 at Fiddlesticks (Long Mean course)
• Awards ceremony immediately following the completion of play 

Championship Field Size

Maximum field of 168 players

Course Set-Up

The golf courses will be set-up at approximately 6,900-7,300 yards.

Local Qualifying

18 holes stroke play at 14 qualifying sites. 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.  

Defending Champion

Jimmy Jones won the 2015 Florida State Amateur Championship by defeating Cristobal Del Solar in a playoff at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club and Ocala National Golf Club.  Jones was 12 under par for the tournament to be crowned the 98th State Amateur Champion.

Carts

During qualifying and the Championship proper, each player must use a golf cart which is included in the qualifying and championship entry fees.

Qualifying Practice Round Cart Fees

Players must pay for practice round cart fees at qualifying sites and at the Championship.

Championship Practice Rounds and Practice Facility

Practice rounds are available one week prior to the Championship on a space available basis and after 12:00 PM the weekend prior. The cost of the practice round, including range balls and cart, is $30 plus tax. Only exempt and qualifying participants may play practice rounds. Alternates are not extended practice privileges. Please call 239-768-1114 for Fiddlesticks Country Club and 239-482-7644 for Miromar Golf Club to schedule a practice round.

Exemptions

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

NOTE: Blank entries will be filed by the FSGA for players who become exempt after the close of entries. 

• Previous Amateur Champions
• Top 200 and tied from last year's final World Amateur Golf Rankings
• Top 15 and tied from last year's Amateur Championship
• Top 20 and tied from last year's final Player of the Year Points List
• Last year's Boys Junior Champion (16-18 Age Division)
• Last year's Boys Junior Champion (13-15 Age Division)
• Last year's Amateur Match Play Champion
• Last year's Mid-Amateur Stroke Play Champion
• Current year's Amateur Public Links Champion
• Last year's Mid-Senior Champion
• Last year's Senior Amateur Player of the Year
• Current year's Senior Amateur Champion
• Last three year's Mid-Amateur Champions
• Last year's Mid-Amateur Championship Semifinalists
• Last year's Florida Open Low Amateur
• Last year's Junior Player of the Year 
• Current year's final Winter Series Mid-Senior (40-54) Points Leader
• Last year's FHSAA Boys Class 1A Individual Champion
• Last year's FHSAA Boys Class 2A Individual Champion
• Last year's FHSAA Boys Class 3A Individual Champion

Exemptions Earned from this Tournament

 Winner

• Lifetime Amateur Championship
• Next five Mid-Amateur Championships
• Next three Amateur Match Play Championships
• Next two Florida Open Championships

Top five and tied finishers

• Current year's Mid-Amateur Championship
• Current year's Amateur Match Play Championship
• Next year's Florida Open

Top fifteen and tied finishers

• Next year's Amateur Championship

Player's making the cut

• Next year's Boys' Junior 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 Hotels

Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers Airport/FGCU
16410 Corporate Commerce Way
Fort Myers, Florida 33913
239-210-7200

$99 per room, per night, plus tax.

Click here to book online, or call 239-210-7200 to reserve.

Homewood Suites by Hilton Fort Myers Airport/FGCU
16450 Corporate Commerce Way
Fort Myers, FL 33913
239-210-7300

$99 per room, per night, plus tax.

Click here to book online, or call 239-210-7300 to reserve

Crowne Plaza Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops
13051 Bell Tower Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33907
239-482-2900

$89 per room, per night, plus tax.

Click here to book online using group code "SAG", or call 239-482-2900

Payment

Fiddlesticks Country Club accepts Visa/MasterCard as forms of payment. Fiddlesticks does not accept cash.

Miromar Lakes Golf Club accepts Visa/MasterCard and American Express.

Directions

Fiddlesticks Country Club
15391 Canongate Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33912
(239) 768-1114

Miromar Lakes Golf Club
18520 Miromar Lakes Boulevard
Miromar Lakes, FL 33913
(239) 482-7644