~ Quarry & Ranch/Highlands Courses ~
Entries close Wednesday, May 27, 2015
$30 per competitor ($20 with GHIN handicap)
The 61st Boys' Junior Championship will head to Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto. The Championship has a rich historic tradition with past champions including Matt Kuchar, Gary Koch, Len Mattiace, Blayne Barber, and recently Sam Horsfield and Andy Zhang. In 2015, participants will have the opportunity to experience two beautiful golf courses, the Quarry and Ranch, that wind through canyon walls, change elevation, and embody scenic views. For a look at the 2014 Championship Results click here.
Championship Format
- 168 player field size
- Age Divisions: 16-18 and 13-15 years of age
- Fifty-four holes of individual stroke play
- All players play eighteen holes each on the Quarry and Ranch/Highlands courses on Tuesday, July 7th and Wednesday, July 8th.
- After thirty-six holes, the field will be cut to approximately the low 50 players and ties in the Boys 16-18 division and approximately the low 20 and ties in the Boys 13-15 division.
- The final eighteen holes will be played on Thursday, July 9th on the Quarry Course. The lowest score for 54 holes will be the Champion.
- If necessary, there will be a hole by hole play-off to determine the Champion. It is the player's responsibility to be present for any play-off.
Eligibility
-
Open to male amateur golfers ages 13-18 as of July 9, 2015
- All players will compete in the age division commensurate with their age as of the last day of the Championship. No players are allowed to play out of their age division.
- Entrant must not have reached their 19th birthday by July 9, 2015 and not attending college if graduated from high school. See exception here.
- Players must be (1) a resident of Florida (reside in Florida at least 4 months per year or have otherwise established legal residency); or (2) a dependent of a military personnel or a military personnel based in Florida on active duty.
Entry Fees
| |
Qualifying Fee |
Championship Fee |
Exempt Fee
|
GHIN
|
20.00 |
120.00 |
130.00 |
| Non-GHIN |
30.00 |
120.00 |
140.00 |
- Qualifying Fee: Qualifying Fee includes entry fee and cart fee.
- Championship Fee: Fee paid by those individuals who advance to the Championship through qualifying. Includes tee gifts, course fees, and range balls for each competitive round.
- Exempt Fee: Exempt Fee includes Championship Fee and Entry Fee for those individuals eligible for exemption.
Late entries are subject to a $10 late entry fee should the entrant gain acceptance into the qualifying field.
Pre-Registration
Those individuals who advance to the Championship through qualifying must pre-register and remit an additional $120 Championship Fee either at the FSGA website or by check to the FSGA office. Payment must be received by Monday, June 29, 2015 by 3:30 pm, or the individual will be withdrawn from the Championship.
To Pre-Register:
- Log on to the FSGA website at www.fsga.org using your email address and password
- Click on "My Account" in the upper right hand corner of the homepage
- Under "My Tournaments", click on the "Pre-Register" button to the right of the tournament name
- Enter your credit card information and then click the "Charge My Card" button on the bottom right hand corner of the page
Refunds, Notice of Withdrawals
Requests for qualifying entry refunds received prior to entry closing date will be honored (less $20 per entry administrative fee). Requests received after the closing date will be honored (less 50% of entry fee). No requests will be honored within 48 hours of the first scheduled tee time.
Requests for refunds of Exempt or Championship fees prior to the pre-registration deadline will be honored (less $20 per entry administrative fee). No requests will be honored after the pre-registration deadline.
Course Set-Up
The golf course will be set-up at approximately:
-
6,500-6,700 yards (Boys 13-15)
-
6,900-7,100 yards (Boys 16-18)
Divisions
-
Regular (16-18) as of July 9, 2015
- Junior (13-15) as of July 9, 2015
- All players will compete in the age division commensurate with their age as of the last day of the Championship. Players are NOT allowed to play out of their Age Division.
Schedule of Events
Tuesday, July 7th
- 8:00 AM - 9:57 AM - Round one tee times off of #1 and #10 on the Ranch/Highlands Course
- 8:00 AM - 9:57 AM - Round one tee times off of #1 and #10 on the Quarry Course
- Lunch provided
Wednesday, July 8th
- 8:00 AM - 9:57 AM - Round two tee times off of #1 and #10 on the Ranch/Highlands Course
- 8:00 AM - 9:57 AM - Round wo tee times off of #1 and #10 on the Quarry Course
- After the completion of play the field will be cut to approximately the low 50 players and ties in the Boys 16-18 Division and approximately the low 20 and ties in the Boys 13-15 Division
- Lunch provided
Thursday, July 9th
- 8:00 AM - Final round tee times begin off of #1 and #10 on the Quarry Course
- Awards ceremony, including lunch, immediately following the completion of play
World & National Rankings
The championship is ranked by the World Amateur Golf Ranking and Junior Golf Scoreboard.
Top finishers in the championship will receive AJGA stars through their Performance Based Entry.
AJGA Performance Based Entry (PBE)
Boys 16-18
- Champion receives 12 performance stars
- Top five finishers receive 8 performance stars
- Top ten finishers receive 4 performance stars
Boys 13-15
- Champion receives 2 performance stars
- Top five finishers receive 1 performance star
Local Qualifying
-
18 holes stroke play at 6 local qualifying sites. Click here for the qualifying sites.
- All players must walk during qualifying rounds
- Players are not allowed to employ a caddie
- Players are only allowed to attempt to qualify at one qualifying site per year.
Defending Champions
John Coultas posted three consistent rounds of 67 for a tournament total 201 and a win at the 2014 Boys' Junior Championship in the 16-18 Age Division. In the 13-15 Age Division, Tyler Strafaci was crowned Champion by one stroke with rounds of 71-67-66 for a tournament total 204.
Practice Round and Practice Facility Information
Practice rounds are available six days prior to the Championship on a space available basis at either golf course. Players' ages 16-18 can ride, players' ages 13-15 will need to be accompanied by a parent to ride in a cart. The price for a practice round is $30.00 + tax. If a parent is playing a practice round with their junior it will be a fee of $65 (standard guest of member rate). Please call (352) 746-3446 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.
You may not make your practice round tee time before groupings are made.
Pull Carts
The use of pull carts is permitted.
Exemptions
Players in the following categories will be eligible for exemption provided they meet all entry, age and eligibility requirements:
NOTE: Blank entries will be filed by the FSGA for players who become exempt after the close of entries.
- Previous Boys' Junior Champions (either Age Division)
- Top 500 and tied from last year's final World Amateur Golf rankings
- Top 50 and tied from last year's final Junior Player of the Year Points List
- Top 10 and tied from last year's Boys' Junior Championship (16-18 Age Division)
- Top 5 and tied from last year's Boys' Junior Championship (13-15 Age Division)
- Last year's Boys' Junior Match Play Champions (Championship brackets only)
- Top 3 and tied from last year's FHSAA Class 1A Golf Finals
- Top 3 and tied from last year's FHSAA Class 2A Golf Finals
- Top 3 and tied from last year's FHSAA Class 3A Golf Finals
- Florida Junior Tour Boys (16-18 Age Division) Winners since the last Boys' Junior Championship
- Florida Junior Tour Boys (13-15 Age Division) Winners since the last Boys' Junior Championship
- Top 15 (16-18 Age Division) and top 10 (13-15 Age Division) and tied from the current year's FJT Points List as of the close of entries
- Top 15 (16-18 Age Division) and top 10 (13-15 Age Division) and tied from last year's final FJT Points List
- Players qualifying for any one of last year's USGA National Championships
- Players making the cut at last year's Amateur Championship
Exemptions Earned from this Tournament
Boys Junior (16 - 18)
Winner
- Future Boys' Junior Championships (must meet age and eligibility requirements)
- Current and next year's Amateur Match Play Championship
- Next year's Amateur Championship
- Next year's Florida Open
Top 10 and tied finishers
- Next year's Boys' Junior Championship
Boys Junior (13 - 15)
Winner
- Future Boys' Junior Championships (must meet age and eligibility requirements)
- Next year's Amateur Championship
Top 10 and tied finishers
- Next year's Boys' Junior Championship
Other Policies
- Spectators and Spectator Cart Policy - Click here.
- Caddies - Caddies are not allowed.
- 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 and Accommodations
Hampton Inn - Crystal River
$109 per room, per night plus tax
Holiday Inn Express - Crystal River
$109 per room, per night plus tax
The Plantation - Crystal River
$119/$139 per room, per night plus tax
Click here to view online booking links & hotel phone numbers
Payment
Black Diamond Ranch Club will accept cash, Visa/Mastercard and American Express for payment.
Directions
Black Diamond Ranch
3125 W. Black Diamond Circle
Lecanto, FL 34461
(352) 746-3446
Click here for directions
The 61st Boys’ Junior Championship came to Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, FL. Play for the first two rounds was conducted on the Quarry Course and the Highlands/Ranch Course. Following two rounds, the field was cut to the low 50 players and ties in the 16-18 Division and the low 20 players and ties in the 13-15 Division. The final round was played on the famed Quarry Course.
The 16-18 Division provided fireworks and lots of lead changes on the final day. Leader Bryce Burke, would bogey the first hole, while Phillip Knowles made birdie in the group ahead to share the lead. As the front 9 went on, Knowles would move to -6 for the tournament after a birdie on 7 and a two-stroke lead at the time. After a bogey on 9 by Knowles, and a birdie by Anton Serafini, of Lake Mary, both players would turn to the back nine at -5 and tied for the lead, while Austin Hitt, of Longwood was lurking just behind at -4. Serafini would bogey the 10th, and continue to slide with two more bogeys on the back 9 and post a final round 73 to finish T5. Knowles would make back to back bogeys on 11 and 12, but bounce back with a birdie on 14 to get back to -4. However, failed to convert birdie opportunities on the final four holes, and would finish 3rd. Michael Mattiace, of Jacksonville made the biggest charge, after a bogey on 12, he was -1 for the tournament and all but out of it, however once he stepped into the Quarry, it was game on. Mattiace would birdie 4 of his last 5 holes to post -5 and be the leader in the clubhouse with two groups on the golf course. Austin Hitt, who hung around the lead all day, finally took a share of the lead on the 13th with a birdie to get to -4. When he birdied the par 5, 14th to get to -5, he was the new solo leader. Once Hitt found the middle of the fairway on 18, he knew Mattiace had just made birdie ahead to tie him at -5. Hitt’s second shot was just off the putting surface about 40 feet from the hole. A delicate chip slid just below the hole, leaving Hitt an uphill 4 foot birdie attempt for the win that he would drain and capture the 16-18 Age Division at the 61st Boys’ Junior Championship!
