After 36 holes, Jeff Dennis leads the 89th Florida State Amateur Championship with a two-round total of 137 at Pine Tree Golf Club and Hunter’s Run Golf and Racquet Club in Boynton Beach. The Championship continues with 72 golfers advancing to play the final 36 holes at Pine Tree this weekend, June 24-25.
Jeff Dennis, of Parkland, has a one stroke advantage going into the weekend after shooting a 6-under par for the first two rounds. Dennis, who plays golf at University of North Florida, posted a 2-under par 69 at Pine Tree in the first round to trail the first round leader by one stroke. With a second round 4-under par 68 on the South Course at Hunter’s Run, Dennis jumped ahead to lead the field heading into the weekend rounds. Georgia Southern golfer Ryan LeFevre, of Boca Raton, sits one back from Dennis recording a 70-68 for the first two rounds. Marc France, of Lakeland, surged into third place with a second round score of 68. Combined with a first round 71, France finished with a two-round total of 139. First round leader Edward Kenny, of Lake Worth, and Greg O’Mahony, of Tequesta, each have a two-round total of 140. The cut after 36 holes was made at 9-over par 152 with 72 players advancing to the final 36 holes.
Before reaching the Championship, more than 700 participants attempted to qualify at one of 13 sites across the state. In the Championship, participants play 18 holes each at Pine Tree and Hunter’s Run on June 22-23. 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 Pine Tree on June 24-25. Designed by Dick Wilson, Pine Tree is considered one of his best courses and ranked in the nation’s top 100 and placed in Florida’s top five on a regular basis.
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, Buddy Alexander, and PGA Tour players David Peoples, Chris Couch, and Barry Cheesman. Spectators and media are welcome to watch the state’s best amateur golfers compete at Pine Tree and Hunters Run.
For tee-times, pairings and results, please see www.fsga.org.
Organized in 1913, the Florida State Golf Association is a not-for-profit organization that governs amateur golf in the state of Florida. In addition to conducting 22 championships for amateur golfers in the state, the FSGA is responsible for more than 40 qualifying tournaments for USGA National Championships. The FSGA also maintains the USGA Handicap System, performs course ratings throughout Florida and assists in junior programs and scholarships.
