After three rounds of the State Amateur Championship at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Matthew Galloway, of Valrico, has a two-stroke lead at 4-under par going into tomorrow's fourth and final round.
Matthew Galloway, 21, a senior at the University of West Florida, leads the field of 70 players with a three-round total of 4-under par 209. Galloway headed into the third round of play in a tie for the top spot after shooting rounds of 69-70. Playing the Copperhead Course, Galloway posted a 36-34 in the third round to take sole possession of first place by two strokes. On the front nine, Galloway started strong with birdies on holes one and three and went on to make all pars and a birdie on the 17th hole. Ryan Abbate looks to win another Amateur title after firing a 3-under par 68 in the third round. Abbate went 3-under on the front nine with birdies on holes one, two and nine and remained steady on the back nine to post an even par 35. With rounds of 69-74, Abbate sits two back from Galloway at 2-under par 211. Jhared Hack, from Sanford, is in third place at 1-under par after shooting consistent rounds of 71-70-71. In a three-way tie for fourth place, Jacob Davidson, of Jacksonville, Song Jeon, of Tallahassee, and Cameron Knight, from Dade City, each have a three-round total of even par 213.
Before reaching the Championship, more than 845 participants attempted to qualify at one of 13 sites across the state. The top 168 amateur golfers in the state advanced to play 18 holes each on Innisbrook’s Island and Copperhead Courses. After 36 holes, the field was cut to the low 70 and ties. The final 36 holes of the Championship are played on June 23-24 on the Copperhead Course, home to the PGA Tour’s PODS 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, 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 Innisbrook.
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 25 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.
