Women's International Four-Ball

With 48 of the top teams from around the world, Meghan Stasi and Tara Connelly put together an impressive performance en route to capturing the Women’s International Four-Ball Championship for a second consecutive year. The event was held  at The Wanderer’s Club in Wellington, on February 17-18.

With near perfect weather conditions on Monday, Stasi and Connelly got off to a great start firing a five-under par 67 to take a two stroke lead into the final round. Stasi and Connelly put on a show in the final round firing an impressive round of 10-under par 62 to win the Championship by 11 strokes. Stasi and Connelly’s final round included eight birdies and an eagle after Stasi chipped in on the 17th hole. Connelly said “We played very smart today and left everything close. We had two shots at birdies most holes, which gave us a lot of confidence.” This marks the fourth time that Stasi has captured the Women's International Four-Ball Championship, first in 2009 with Dawn Woodard, then in 2010 with Donna Mummert, and last year with current partner Tara Connelly.

Marie Arnoux, of Miami Beach, and Ellen Port, of St. Louis, MO, took home second place honors after rounds of 71-69. Port, a six time USGA Champion, was recently named captain of the 2014 Curtis Cup team. Diane Lang of Weston, and her partner Mary Jane Hiestand of Naples, finished alone in third place with a tournament total of three-under par 141.

In the Middle Division, Patty Lang, of Tequesta, and Sue McMurdy, of Indiana, PA, posted rounds of 73-73 -146 to capture the division title by five strokes. In the Forward Division, the team of Ann Candido, of Jupiter, and Marsha Funk, of Palm Beach Gardens, went wire-to-wire to firing rounds of 73-71-144 to win by seven strokes.

Entries Close Wednesday, January 29th, 2014

$360 per team

Membership is NOT required

Please join us for the Women's International Four-Ball to be conducted at the Wanderer's Club in Wellington Florida.  This historic championship is being held at one of the finest clubs in Palm Beach County on Monday and Tuesday, February 17th - 18th.  The Wanderer's Club is maintained in exceptional condition and will host this championship for the next three years.   For a look at the 2013 Championship Results click here.

Championship Format

• 36 holes of four-ball stroke play, (commonly known as a two-person, best-ball)
• 48 total teams
• Three divisions - Championship, Middle, or Forward Division
• Teams may select their division at the time of entry
• The overall champion will be the team from the Championship Division with the lowest 36-hole total score.

How Entries are Accepted

• Through Wednesday, January 8th
  • 60% (28 teams) of the entire field will be held for Championship Division
  • 40% (20 teams) of the field will be held for the Middle and Forward Divisions

• After January 8th
  • Remaining spots will be released on a first-come first-serve basis to any division (Championship, Middle, or Forward) until entries close on Wednesday, January 29th or the field reaches its maximum capacity of 48 teams.

Eligibility

• Female amateurs with a valid USGA Handicap Index of 34.0 or less
• The course handicap differential between partners may be no more than eight (8) strokes.  (If the differential is more than eight (8) strokes, the higher course handicap will be reduced to allow for the difference).
• 100% of each player's handicap will be used.
• Championship Division - All teams in the Championship Division must have a combined team handicap of 14.0 or less as of January 1, 2014.

Entry Fee

$360 (per team)

*Entry fee includes all competitive rounds of golf, Sunday evening cocktail reception with heavy hor d'oeuvres (cash bar), lunch after both Monday and Tuesday's rounds, and gift certificate. Late entries will be accepted subject to a $10 late entry fee should the entrant gain  acceptance into the field.

Divisions and Approximate Yardages

• Championship Division - 6,000 yards (gross only)
• Middle Division - 5,500 yards (gross and net)
• Forward Division - 5,000 yards (gross and net)

How to Enter

To enter, both you and your partner will need to have created a free, online account at this website.  Once both of you have accounts, you will be able to select your partner and submit an entry.  If you or your partner already have an account, you will not need to create another account.

Schedule of Events

Sunday, February 16th

• 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM – Tournament Registration (located near pro shop)
• 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM – Players’ Cocktail Reception - Included with entry fee (cash bar)

Monday, February 17th

• 7:00 AM - 9:30 AM – Tournament Registration
  (located near pro shop)
• 8:00 AM - 9:50 AM – Round One tee times off of #1 and #10 tees
• 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (approx.) – First Round luncheon, located in upstairs dining room - Included with entry fee

Tuesday, February 18th

• 8:00 AM - 9:50 AM – Final Round tee times off of #1 and #10 tees
• 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (approx.) – Final Round luncheon and awards presentation, located in upstairs dining room - Included with entry fee

Flighting

The Championship Division may be flighted after the first round based upon scores.  

The Middle and Forward Divisions will likely be pre-flighted based on combined team handicaps.  

Generally, divisions of more than 10 teams will be flighted, however the Committee reserves the right to flight based on the number of teams and/or the range of combined team handicaps or scores . 

Breaking Ties

Championship Division - The overall Champion will be the team from the Championship Division with the lowest 36-hole total score.  In the event of a tie for first place in the Championship Division there will be a hole-by-hole sudden death playoff on a hole designated by the Committee to determine the championship team. 

Other Divisions - Ties for first place gross and first place net in each flight of the Middle and Forward Divisions will be broken by a modified USGA tie break method.  The final day 18 hole respective score, whether gross or net, will be used to determine the first place gross or net team.  (If there is still a tie, the final 9 holes of the last day (holes #10-18) will be used to determine the winner.  If there is still a tie, the final 6 holes are used; then if needed the final 3 holes; then the final hole; then by coin flip).

Handicap Requirements

The valid USGA Handicap Indexes used will be from the February 1, 2014 revision.  Each player must have a valid USGA Handicap Index no higher than 34.0.  However, all teams must have a combined team handicap of 14.0 or less as of January 1, 2014 in order to gain entrance into the field in the Championship Division. Teams may choose which division they wish to compete in upon entry; the Championship, Middle or Forward Division. 

Practice Rounds

Practice rounds are available on the Sunday prior to the Championship.  Practice rounds may be available during the week prior to the Championship on a case-by-case basis, but there is no guarantee.  The price for a practice round is $35.00 + tax. Please call (561) 795-3510 to arrange your practice round. The proper place to practice your golf swing is on the driving range, hitting multiple shots on the course is unacceptable.

Defending Champions

The Florida duo of Meghan Stasi of Oakland Park, and Tara Connelly of Palm Beach outlasted Marie Arnoux, Miami Beach, Florida and Alexandra Frazier of West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania to win the 2013 Championship in a hole-by-hole playoff lasting five holes when Tara Connelly converted a birdie putt to secure the title.

History

As the fourth championship in the Orange Blossom Tour that includes the Harder Hall Women's Invitational, the South Atlantic Amateur (SALLY), and the Ione D. Jones/Doherty Championship, the Women’s International Four-Ball carries a tremendous amount of history and prestige.  First conducted in 1945 by the Jaycees of Hollywood, Florida, the early championships included the names of Babe Zaharias, Louise Suggs, Peggy Kirk-Bell, and other notables.

The Wanderers Club

The Wanderers Club is a challenging and unique Jacobsen Hardy design that is located in Palm Beach, North America's premiere equestrian community.  It's immaculate fairways and greens, spectacular practice facilities, and high-end club ambiance provide the avid golfer the atmosphere they desire.  The club is just minutes from the gorgeous and flourishing city of West Palm Beach where fine dining, shopping, and entertainment can easily be found.  Please click here to learn more about The Wanderers Club.

Other Policies

• Spectator and Spectator Cart Policy - Click here.
• Caddies - If a player employs a caddie, the caddie MUST walk and player's clubs must remain on the golf cart.
• Championship Pace of Play Policy - Click here.
• Local Rules and Conditions of Competition - Click here.
• Championship Policies - Click here to read the withdrawal, dress code, and other policies.
• Procedures for Alternates - Click here for information on how alternates may gain entry into this Championship.
• Conditions/ Schedule - The FSGA Championships Committee/on-site Rules Committee reserves the right to alter any of the conditions, provisions and/or schedules.  The decision of the Championships Committee/on-site Rules Committee in any matter will be final.

Host Hotel & Accommodations

Hampton Inn West Palm Beach Turnpike
2025 Vista Parkway
West Palm Beach, Florida 33411
(561) 682-9990
Click for map  

Directions to The Wanderers Club

1900 Aero Club Drive
Wellington, FL 33414
(561) 795-3510
Click for Map