Florida Open Championship

Caleb Johnson, of Ocala, got off to a phenomenal start as he made a birdie on his first hole followed by four more birdies to finish the front nine at five under-par, 31. Although he struggled on the par four 12th hole, making a double-bogey, and then a bogey on the 13th hole, Johnson did not lose his determination. He finished strong with a birdie on number 16 and a birdie on the last hole for a final round three under-par, 69. Caleb’s consistent three rounds in red numbers (68, 70, 69) led him to a nine under-par, 207 total and six stroke victory!  Johnson can add another Florida Open win to his resume, as this marks the second time in three years he was crowned Champion.

Alan Morin remained in second place after a final round of two over-par, 74, for a three under-par total of 213. Jeff Wells, of Redondo Beach, played strong in the final round carding three birdies on the front nine and an eagle on the par five 10th hole. Wells carded a final round of three under-par for a two under-par total, 214, and a tied for third place finish with Jake Kevorkian. Kevorkian played steady golf with rounds of 73-69-72 to be the only amateur in the top three. Seven players tied for fifth place including Casper Howells, of Estero. Howells brought some excitement to the final round with a double-eagle on the final hole!

156 competitors played 18 holes one each golf course on Friday & Saturday, then the field was cut to the low 60 and ties with the final round contested at Interlachen on Sunday. Nearly 1,000 professionals and amateurs registered to compete in the 70th Florida Open, with 131 players advancing through one of 16 local qualifiers, and 25 competitors who were exempt into the Championship.

The Florida Open has a rich history that dates back to 1942 and includes notable champions, such as Bob Murphy, Gary Koch, Charles Owens, Bruce Fleisher, John Huston, Dudley Hart, and Bart Bryant among others.  This is the seventh year the Florida State Golf Association will be conduction this great Championship.

Final Professional Payout

Full Results

70th Florida Open Preview

Interlachen Country Club along with Orange Tree Golf Club will play host to the 70th Florida Open in Orlando. The Florida Open is open to PGA golf professionals, amateur golfers, and other professional golfers who meet the eligibility requirements listed below. The Florida Open has a rich history that dates back to 1942 and includes notable champions, such as Bob Murphy, Gary Koch, Charles Owens, Bruce Fleisher, John Huston, Dudley Hart, and Bart Bryant among others.  Click here to read more about the historic event and its past Champions.

Professionals and Amateurs can qualify for the Championship through local qualifying.  Exemptions are available through State Amateur Championships & PGA Section Events. For a look at the 2015 Championship click here.

Championship Format

• 156 players in the Championship field
• 54 holes of individual stroke play
• The field will be cut to the low 60 and ties after 36 holes
• The lowest score for 54 holes will be the Champion
• All players will play 18 holes each on Interlachen Country Club and Orange Tree Golf Club on Friday, July 15th, and Saturday, July 16th
• The final 18 holes will be played on Interlachen Country Club on Sunday, July 17th

Eligibility

• Open to Professional and Amateur golfers who are residents of Florida since January 1st, and who have NOT played professionally in more than (6) "major" tour events or, more than (18) "one or two-day" type mini-tour events in the 12-months prior to the Championship. Amateurs (or an amateur awaiting reinstatement) must have a current USGA Handicap Index© not exceeding 6.4 under the Men's USGA Handicap System
• Click to see Complete Eligibility and a list of professional tours that count towards these limits, and for more details.  If you have any questions about your eligibility, it is the player's responsibility to review the guidelines and to contact the FSGA office as needed to ensure eligibility
• Ineligible applicants will not receive refunds  Click here to view FSGA Tournament Policies.

Entry Fees

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

Entries for qualifying 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.

Pre-Registration

Those individuals who advance to the Championship through qualifying must pre-register and remit the appropriate Championship Fee (See Above) online at www.fsga.org under the "My Account" section, which can be located in the top right hand corner of the web-page.  Payment must be received by Friday, July 8th by 3:30 pm or the individual will be withdrawn from the Championship.  Championship fee includes competitive round lunches, golf, cart fees and range balls plus a player's badge and tee gift.

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 the 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 

Friday, July 15th

• 8:00 AM - 9:48 AM - Round one tee times off of #1 and #10 at both Interlachen Country Club and Orange Tree Golf Club
• Complimentary players' lunch buffet in the main clubhouse

Saturday, July 16th

• 8:00 AM - 9:48 AM - Round twoe tee times off of #1 and #10 at both Interlachen Country Club and Orange Tree Golf Club
• Complimentary players' lunch buffet in the main clubhouse
• The field will be cut to low 60 players and ties after the completion of play

Sunday, July 17th

• 8:00 AM - Final round tee times begin off of #1 and #10 at Interlachen Country Club
• Complimentary players' lunch buffet in the main clubhouse
• Awards ceremony immediately following the completion of play 

Course Set-Up

The golf course will be set-up at approximately 7,000 yards.

Championship Field Size

156 Players. Cut to low 60 and ties after 36-holes.

Local Qualifying

18 holes stroke play at 16 Local Qualifying sites.

Transferring Qualifying Sites

Players may submit one entry for the Florida Open and choose the site at which they will attempt to qualify.  However, if any site requires adjustment (including, but not limited to, the receipt of more entries than can be accommodated), players will be transferred to another site based on their preference listed on the entry application and date of receipt of entry application (i.e. later applicants will be subject to transfer).

Estimated Purse

$80,000 (see estimated purse pay-out - Click here)  1st Place - $12,000

Defending Champion

John Jonas captured the 69th Florida Open Championship posting a tournament total of 14-under par at Timuquana Country Club in Jacksonville on July 17-19, 2015. The Jacksonville native opened with a round of 63 and never looked back. He finished with rounds of 68-71 to post a winning total of 202 to capture first place and hoist the crystal trophy. 

Cart and Caddie Policy

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

Play-Off

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

Practice Round and Practice Information

Practice rounds will be available to the competitors one week in advance of the competition on a space available basis.  Practice rounds are restricted to after 12:00 PM on the weekend prior to the Championship. The cost of practice rounds is $30 plus tax. Players will be responsible for direct payment of any fees for the practice rounds. Please call (407) 657-5220 to schedule a practice round at Interlachen Country Club or (407) 351-2521 to schedule a practice round at Orange Tree Golf Club..

Players will be allowed to practice after their formal practice and after each competitive round. 

You may not make your practice round tee time before qualifying is completed. Weather permitting, qualifying concludes on July 7th. A list of players will be faxed to the club following the conclusion of qualifying. 

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.    

PROFESSIONALS

• Last five year's Florida Open Champions
• Professionals finishing top ten and tied from last year’s Florida Open
• Championship Host Clubs' Representative (may be an amateur)
• Current year’s SFPGA Open Champion
• Current year’s Fort Lauderdale Open Champion (Regular Division)
• Last year’s NFPGA PNC Champion
• Last year’s Dixie, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Champions (Dixie and SFPGA Professional Champion)
• Last year’s Dixie, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Senior (Regular Division) Champion
• Last year’s Dixie, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Chapter Champions
• Last year’s Dixie, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Assistant Champions
• Last year’s Dixie Section Match Play Champion
• Current year’s NFPGA Section Match Play Champion
• Last year's Florida Senior Open Champion
• Last year’s Dixie, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Senior (Regular Division) Player of the Year
• Last year’s top five and tied from the final Dixie, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Player of the Year Points List

AMATEURS

Note: Loss of Exemptions - If a player turns professional, he loses any exemption(s) he previously earned as an amateur player with the FSGA

• Last five year's Florida Open Champions
• Amateurs finishing top ten and tied from last year’s Florida Open
• Current Year’s Amateur Champion
• Last two year’s Amateur Champions
• Top 200 and tied from last year's final World Amateur Golf Rankings
• Last year’s top five and tied Amateur Championship finishers
• Last year’s top five and tied from the final FSGA Player of the Year Points List
• Last year’s Junior Amateur Player of the Year
• Last year’s Senior Amateur Player of the Year
• Last year's Florida Senior Open Champion
• Last year’s Boys Junior Champion (16-18 Age Division)
• Last year’s Amateur Match Play Champion
• Last year’s Mid-Amateur Champion

Exemptions Earned from this Tournament

Winner

• Next five Florida Opens

Players finishing in the top ten and tied

• Next year's Florida Open

Low Amateur

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

Shirt Sponsor

Cutter & Buck is the official shirt of the Florida Open Championship

Host Hotel and Accommodations

Hilton Orlando - Altamonte Springs
350 Northlake Boulevard
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
407-830-1985

$95 per room, per night plus tax, click here to book online or call 407-830-1985 referencing Florida Open Championship Room Block.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott - Altamonte Springs / Maitland
205 W State Road 436
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
407-865-6400

$99 per room, per night plus tax, includes breakfast. Click here to book online or call 407-865-6400 referencing Florida Open Championship Room Block.

Dress Code

Proper attire for competitors and caddies is required at all times at the golf facility.  Failure to comply may result in withdrawal of entry.

• Golf Shorts are permitted
• All hats must be worn properly.
• Collared shirts or shirts specifically designed for golf must be worn and tucked in at all times.
• This code supplements any course or club guidelines, which shall take precedence.

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 the start of the tournament.

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 per-registration deadline.

Publicity and Promotion; Broadcasting

By participating in FSGA Events you grant the FSGA and those acting with the FSGA, permission, authority and the permanent rights to use your name or likeness for publicity and promotional purposes. Participants understand that all Media, including film, photographic prints, audio or digital files are the exclusive property of the FSGA. Participants in FSGA events waive their rights to inspect or approve all media produced by the FSGA and those acting on the FSGA's behalf. Participants waive their permanent rights to compensation for use of their name and likeness by the FSGA.

Payment 

Interlachen Country Club and Orange Tree Golf Club accept cash, Visa, and MasterCard for payment.

Directions

Interlachen Country Club
2245 Interlachen Court
Winter Park, FL  32792
(407) 657-5220

Click here for directions to Interlachen Country Club

Orange Tree Golf Club

 
7540 Woodgreen Drive
Orlando, FL  32819
(407) 351-2521

Click here for directions to Orange Tree Golf Club