Kennedy & Seiffert Share Lead at Amateur

Brian Kennedy and Chase Seiffert share the first round lead at the 95th Florida State Amateur Championship. The Championship continues at The Bear’s Club and The Loxahatchee Club through Sunday, June 24.

Brian Kennedy, of Highland Beach, and Chase Seiffert, of Panama City, fired rounds of four-under par 68 at The Loxahatchee Club, to lead the field of 168 by two strokes heading into the second round. Kennedy's impressive round of four-under par included six birdies and just two bogeys.  Seiffert’s first round included three birdies and an eagle on the par 5 13th hole to finish strong heading into the second round. Both players will try to tame the difficult Bear’s Club tomorrow morning. The 2010 Champion, Sean Dale, of Jacksonville, is currently alone in third in place after his round of two-under par 70 at The Bear’s Club.  Three players are currently tied for fourth place including the 2011 Mid-Amateur Stroke Play Champion, Don Bell, of Port Orange, after a one-under par round of 71 at The Bear’s Club.

The Defending Champion Tyler McCumber, of Ponte Vedra Beach, is currently tied for 25th place and sits at four-over par. Other notable players in the mix include the reigning Boys’ (13-15) Champion, Sam Horsfield, of Davenport, who posted a round of two-over par 74 at The Bear’s Club and the 2010 and 2011 FSGA Amateur Player-of-the-Year, Stephen Anderson, of Hobe Sound, after his round of two-over par 74 at The Loxahatchee Club. Both courses played extremely difficult to the best amateurs in the state, with The Bear’s Club playing to an 81.5 stroke average and The Loxahatchee Club playing to a 79.5.

Before reaching the Championship, more than 770 participants attempted to qualify at one of 14 sites across the state. In the Championship, participants will play 18 holes each at The Bear’s Club and The Loxahatchee Club on June 21-22. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the low 70 and ties. The final 36 holes of the Championship will be played at The Bear’s Club on June 23-24.

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, and Barry Cheesman.