The Top 144 senior amateur golfers in the state will congregate at Bradenton Country Club to compete in the 56th Florida Senior Amateur Championship on April 11-13. Reigning champ Peter Wegmann will attempt to become the first player since 1989 to defend his title.
This year, over 300 players entered the tournament in hopes to play in the 54-hole championship. Participants who made the final 144 player field will play 36 holes on the traditional Donald Ross layout before a cut to the low 60 players and ties. The final 18 holes of the Championship will be played on Thursday, April 13th.
To be eligible, players must reach their 55th birthday on or before the first round of the championship (April 11th), be an amateur golfer and also a member of the Florida State Golf Association.
Bradenton Country Club was founded in 1924 and the course was designed by Donald Ross and renovated in 1999 by Ron Garl. The course is a par 71 with yardage of 6,739. The Championship will utilize many of the back teeing grounds, but not all. The approximate yardage during the Championship will be 6,500 yards.
Championship Field Highlights:
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8 Former Senior Amateur Champions – Jim Carley, Steve Earsley, Doug LaCrosse, Gordon Marshall, Tim Miller, Pete Williams, Peter Wegmann, and Rick Woulfe
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5 Former Senior Players of the Year – Steve Earsley, Doug LaCrosse, Pete Williams, Peter Wegman and Rick Woulfe (8 time)
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7 Former Senior Match Play Champions – Pete Andrews, Lee Booker, KC Fox, Doug LaCrosse, Pete Williams, Peter Wegmann, and Rick Woulfe
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1 Former Florida Senior Open Champion – Pete Williams
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1 Former Florida Amateur Champion – Doug LaCrosse
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Top Ranked Players from AmateurGolf.com - Roger Dean, Owen Joyner, Walter Himelsbaugh, Kevin Macy, Robbie Dew, John Vaccaro, Marcus Beck, Edward Parnell, Blake Marshall, Bob Mathers, Ken Palladino
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Youngest Player - Rocky Dimartino (55 years and 15 days)
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Most Experienced Players - Michael Sanger (74), David Houghton (72), and Jim Carley (71)
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Average Age - 61 years and 6 months
