Judson Eustaquio, from Lake Worth, fired a first round 2-under par 68 to record the low round on the par 70 Hills Course. In the first round, Eustaquio made six birdies en route to posting a 31-37. Playing the Village Course in the second round, Eustaquio recorded consistent nines of 36-36 to finish at even par. Eustaquio’s two-round total of 2-under par gives him a one stroke advantage heading into the weekend. Eustaquio, a Florida Southern golfer, was the first round leader and second round co-leader in the last year’s Amateur Championship. This season, Eustaquio was runner-up in the Division II Men's Championship and received the Phil Mickelson Award for the most outstanding freshman in Division II Men's Golf.
Garrett Morrsion, of Orlando, sits one back from Eustaquio with a two-round total of 141. Morrison recorded an even par in the first round on the Village Course and continued to shoot a second round 1-under par 69 on the Hills Course. Three competitors share third place honors with a two-round total of 142 even par including Gary Nicklaus, of Palm Beach Gardens. Nicklaus shot a first round 73 on the Hills Course and moved up with a second round 69 on the Village Course. Connor Arendell, of Cape Coral, shot a 69-73 as Eddie Peckels, of Pinehurst, posted a pair of 71’s to be two off the leader. Tim Hume, of Tampa, fired a 4-under par 68 on the Village Course for the low round on that course. Hume is tied for 7th place at 2-over.
Before reaching the Championship, more than 900 participants attempted to qualify at one of 13 sites across the state setting a new tournament record for entries filed. The top 168 amateur golfers in the state played 18 holes each on the Village and Hills Course on June 19-20. After 36 holes, the field was cut to the low 70 and ties with a two-round total of 153. The final 36 holes of the Championship will be played on the Hills Course on June 21-22.
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 Jupiter Hills.
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.
