Judson Eustaquio and Matthew Galloway each posted a two-round total of 3-under par 139 to share the lead in the 90th Florida State Amateur Championship at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor.
Judson Eustaquio, 19, from Lake Worth, fired a 67 on the Island Course in the first round to take a one stroke lead heading into the second round of play. Playing the Copperhead Course in the second round, Eustaquio shot 1-over to find himself tied with Matthew Galloway for the top spot. After a first round 69 on the Copperhead Course, Galloway, 21, of Valrico, shot 2-under on the front nine and finished strong with a 1-under par 70 for the day on the Island Course. Both former Florida Junior Tour (FJT) members, Eustaquio won the 2004 Boys Junior Championship and earned the 2004 FSGA Junior Player-of-the-Year. Four players sit two back from the leaders at 1-under par 141. Kevin Aylwin, of New Smyrna Beach, shot 68-73 while Danny Simmerman, of Fort Myers, posted a 72-69. The 2006 Amateur Match Play Champion Cameron Knight, of Dade City, and Jhared Hack, of Sanford, carded similar rounds of 71-70. Five competitors are tied for seventh place including 2005 Amateur Champion Ryan Abbate, of Fort Lauderdale, and Mark Leetzow, the 1995 and 1997 Amateur Champion. In the second round, the average pace of play was 4 hours and 17 minutes. Six players were penalized for slow play.
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 is 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.
