Beginning Monday, October 23rd, the Women's Florida Cup will be taking place at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club in Tampa. This biennial event will feature 32 of Florida's top women & senior women's golfers who earned their spot on the team for their excellent play over the past two seasons. With the South team hoisting the trophy since the Women's Florida Cup began in 2013, the North team will tee it up Monday morning with hopes of making history.
In order to be eligible to compete in the Women's Florida Cup, each woman must meet at least one of the criteria. Four senior players with the highest point totals from the Women's Senior Two-Year Player of the Year Points List received invitations as well as four players with the highest point totals from the Women's Two-Year Amateur Player of the Year Points List. Two Net Players from the past two year's Women's Net Championship were selected as well as two other Net Players selected by the FSGA Championship Committee. In addition, two senior and two non-seniors were selected by the FSGA Championship committee to fill the final four spots on each team.
Like the Junior Florida Cup held at the end of summer, the Women's Florida Cup is a Ryder Cup style event with the first team to reach 16.5 points claiming the Cup. After players arrive Sunday morning for their practice rounds, Monday morning will begin with four-ball matches off of the first and tenth tees. Following the four-ball matches will be foursome matches off the first tee in the afternoon. The Women's Florida Cup will conclude with singles matches on Tuesday beginning at 8 A.M.
The 2017 Women's Florida Cup Matches will be a fight until the finish with either team emerging as champions due to the great talent and highly decorated players each team has obtained. With just three days before the Women's Florida Cup begins, it's time to get to know the members of this year's North and South Teams.
North Team
Kiely Allen - 2017 Women's International Four-Ball Champion
She said it: "I have spent the past 28 years raising a very large family. I'm finally an empty-nester and looking forward to participating in many future FSGA events."
Janice Wilson - Top 15 finish at 2017 Women's Senior Amateur Championship
She said it: "Golf keeps my competitive spirit alive. I believe I learn the most about people and their value in 18 holes of golf."
Susie Fonde - Top 25 finish at 2017 Women's Mid-Amateur Championship
She said it: "The Florida Cup is the most fun event for me, personally. The competition is great, but the friendships that I have developed over the years are priceless."
Therese Quinn - Top 10 finish at 2017 Women's Mid-Amateur Championship
She said it: "If I always do, what I've always done, I will always get what I already got."
Christine Martin - 2016 Women's International Four-Ball Champion
She said it: "I am very honored to be part of this wonerful event for the second time. I enjoy the spirit of the competition and the comradery of my teammates. All fighting for the common goal of winning. Something to remember for all of us is in the words of Sam Sneak, 'forget your opponents; always play against par'."
Mindy Smith - Quarterfinalist at 2016 Women's Senior Amateur Match Play Championship
She said it: "I try to stay true to this quote - Live life to the fullest. Laugh out loud. Love like you've never been hurt."
Sarah Matin (Captain) - Top 10 finish at 2017 Women's Mid-Amateur Championship
She said it: "I'm excited to have added another caddy to my team since the last Florida Cup with my son, Andrew, being born last year!"
Lin Culver (Captain) - Sweet 16 Finalist at 2016 U.S. Senior Women's Amateur Championship
She said it: "I've been playing golf over 40 years and still haven't figured thsi game out...but I sure love trying."
Sarah Phillips-Durst - 2017 Women's Senior Amateur Champion
She said it: "I feel I'm very blessed to be able to walk and play golf after five knee surgeries!"
Corrie Myers - Top 30 finish at 2016 Women's Mid-Amateur Championship
She said it: "I'm a three-year Floridian and proud mom of a super fun three and a half year old daughter."
Chrissie Capps - Top 25 finish at 2016 Women's Mid-Amateur Championship
She said it: "I currently reside in Palm Coast with my husband and two year old daughter, and I work as a Financial Advisor."
Tama Caldabaugh - 3rd Place finish in Florida Senior Women's Open
She said it: "I'm looking forward to this fun match-play event to wrap up the year! I always feel fortunate to be out on the course - whether a casual game or national championship. I love the challenges, camaraderie, and 'the walk'. Proud of be part of the Jackson(ville) 5!"
Sheila Brocki - Runner-Up at 2017 Women's Mid-Amateur Championship
She said it: "I am so lucky and excited to be included in this wonderful event!"
Kimberly Byle - 2016 Women's Net Champion
She said it: "I feel honored and privileged to be a member of the North Team at the Women's Florida Cup, surrounded by some of the best women golfers in the state. It's my understanding the South has won every year thus far. But it's a new year with a new team! Together, we're ready to kick some South Florida butt and bring home the trophy! Go North!"
Gilda Perez - Top 3 finish at 2016 Women's Senior Amateur Championship
She said it: "I'm a warrior."
Liz Breza - Top 5 finish at 2016 Women's Four-Ball Championship
She said it: "My third dog, Sparky, a Llewellin Setter was named for Sparky Lyle, a former relief pitcher for the New York Yankees. The other two are named Ranger and Tonto for the TV characters back in the day."
South Team
Laura Carson - Runner-Up at 2017 Women's Senior Amateur Championship
She said it: "Since moving to Florida three years ago, I have renewed old friendships and made many more new ones. The Florida Cup is a great way to have fun in a unique, competitive team environment that we don't often get to experience."
Natalie McNicholas - Top 5 finish at 2016 Women's Mid-Amateur Championship
She said it: "I came to the game of golf in my mid-twenties after spending much of my youth playing tennis. While I enjoy competitive golf, I especially love the many friends that I have made along the way."
Mary Jane Hiestand - 2016 Women's Senior Amateur Match Play Champion & Women's Senior Amateur Champion
She said it: "Family, friends, physical activity, and golf are my passions, fueled by my life away from golf."
Diane Lang - Top 10 finish at 2017 Florida Senior Women's Open
She said it: "This is always a fun week for me. Florida has some of the best players in the country and the competition is tough."
Taffy Brower - Top 3 finish at 2017 Women's Senior Amateur Championship
She said it: "At my age, I am grateful anyone even wants me on a team! I'm happy to be joining the South team and am praying I get a very strong partner."
Carolina Hart - Top 20 finishes at 2016 & 2017 Women's Mid-Amateur Championship
She said it: "When there's a good shot hit I can occasionally break into song."
Meghan Stasi (Captain) - 2016 & 2017 Women's Mid-Amateur Champion and 2017 Summer Mixed Team Champion
She said it: "It's always an honor to represent the state of Florida. The Florida Cup is very competitive but always interesting with the four-ball and foursome format. Let's go South!"
Marie Arnoux - Top 5 finish at 2017 Women's Four-Ball Championship
She said it: "I am the mother of two boys, I work in IT healthcare and am passionate about all kinds of competitive sports, especially team events. I am so excited to be part of the Women's Florida Cup matches next week!"
Kim Keyer-Scott - Runner-Up at 2017 Women's Four-Ball Championship
She said it: "I take golf seriously, but not too seriously. In the final analysis it's just a game. Just like life, we should have fun eve as we strive to be the best we can be."
Lisa Schlesinger - Women's Southern Senior Amateur Champion
She said it: "This is my first Florida Cup, so I'm excited to be representing South Florida."
Gigi Higgins (Captain) - Top 3 finishes at 2016 & 2017 Women's Senior Amateur Championship
She said it: "I always try to keep my endeavors exciting and real no matter what I'm doing in life. I love life!"
JoAnn Ferrieri - Top 10 finish at 2017 Women's Mid-Amateur Championship
She said it: "My name is JoAnn Ferrieri and I create opportunities for kids through sport to reach their goals, build confidence and instill lifelong values."
Tinker Sanger - 2016 Women's Net Champion, Women's Four-Ball Champion, & Women's International Four-Ball Champion
She said it: "I love gardening, golf, and grandchildren with an occasional dabble in watercolor."
Beatriz Niemeyer - Runner-Up at 2016 Net Championship
She said it: I am originally from Spain-Venezuela and I became an American citizen in my twenties. I have lived most of my life as an expat in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, and finally have settled down in Bradenton. I love the sport of golf and I am thrilled to be part of this competition."
Lori DesRuisseaux - Top 5 finish at 2016 2016 Women's Senior Amateur Championship
She said it: "I'm an energetic team player who is honored to be part of this fabulous team."
Peggy Butts - Top 5 finishes at 2016 & 2017 Women's Senior Amateur Championship
She said It: "I'm so excited and I just can't hide it! Go Team South!"
