Blayne Barber, of Lake City, and Byron White, from Bradenton, lead the field of 168 by two strokes heading into the second round of play. Barber, playing his first round on Sawgrass Country Club made two birdies and eagled the par 5 11th hole to record a 3-under par 33 on his front nine and continued his solid play with a 34 on the back nine. Last year, Barber was the 2008 Boys Junior Champion, which earned him exempt status into the Amateur Championship. White, also playing Sawgrass Country Club made seven birdies and two bogeys in route to his 5-under par 67. Four competitors are tied for third at 3-under par, Zachary Primavera, of Lynn Haven, and Cameron Knight, of Dade City both carded 69’s at Sawgrass Country Club while Blake Soni, of Bradenton, and Danny Evelyn, of Wellington, posted the low rounds of 69 on THE PLAYERS Stadium course. Defending Champion Judson Eustaquio, of Lake Worth carded a first round 3-over par 75, and is currently tied for 39th.
The top 168 amateur golfers in the state will play 18 holes each on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course and Sawgrass Country Club (East/West) course on June 25-26. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the low 70 and ties. The final 36 holes of the Championship will be played on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course on June 27-28. Before reaching the Championship, more than 1000 participants attempted to qualify at one of 16 sites across the state setting a new tournament record for entries filed.
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, 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 TPC Sawgrass and Sawgrass Country Club.
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.
