Seiffert Outlasts Field at the 95th Amateur

Chase Seiffert wins the 95th Florida State Amateur Championship firing a tournament total of 1-under par 287 at The Bear’s Club and The Loxahatchee Club in Jupiter, on June 21-24.

Chase Seiffert, of Panama City, prevailed over the field of 168 players to capture the 95th Florida State Amateur Championship.  In the first round, Seiffert grabbed a share of the lead after his impressive four-under par 68 at The Loxahatchee Club, and followed up with a second round one-over par 73 at The Bear’s Club to sit a three-under par for the championship and just one shot off the lead. Seiffert regained a share of the lead with Joe Alfieri, of Lutz, after his third round of one-over par 73 for a 54-hole total of two-under par 214.

In the final round Seiffert played a solid front nine with birdies on 4 and 5 to go with only one bogey on number 6, to turn at one-under par, and take a three shot lead into the back nine. Seiffert said “My goal for the back nine was to hit every green, and try to par out. I knew if I did that, I would be hard to catch down the stretch”.  After enduring a four hour weather delay, Seiffert would play his next eight holes at only two-over par to take a four stroke lead into the final hole of play. After hitting his approach onto the green, Seiffert would go on to make par and secure the 95th Amateur Championship. “The courses set-up really well for my fade and my speed on the greens was excellent, and was the key to my victory this week”, Seiffert stated.

This is Seiffert’s second career Florida State Golf Association title. Seiffert, who is currently a member of the Florida State University golf team, captured the 2011 Four-Ball Championship with his partner Zachary Primavera, and helped his team advance to the National Championships this past season. Seiffert stated, "This victory is the biggest of my career and will cherish this for the rest of my life."

Joe Alfieri, of Lutz, finished alone in second place after rounds of 73-67-74-77, for a tournament total of three-over par 291. Alfieri’s second round of five-under par 67 at The Bear’s Club was the low round of the championship. J D Tomlinson, of Gainesville, finished in third place after rounds of 78-68-74-74 for a tournament total of 294. Other notable players included the 2011 Boys’ Junior (13-15) Champion Sam Horsfield, of Davenport, and the 2010 Boys’ Junior (16-18) Champion Hank Lebioda, of Winter Springs, who finished tied for seventh place with a tournament total of 297.

Seiffert receives a crystal vase and his name inscribed on the Clarence Camp Championship Trophy. The top fifteen plus ties receive an exemption into next year’s Florida State Amateur Championship.
 
Started in 1914, the FSGA State Amateur 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.