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Amateur Championship

TPC Sawgrass - Ponte Vedra Beach

June 25-28, 2009

Barber Wins Amateur Championship

Blayne Barber wins the 92nd Florida State Amateur Championship shooting a tournament total of 11-under par 277 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach on June 25-28.

University of Central Florida golfer, Blayne Barber, 19, of Lake City, dominated the field of 168 players to capture the 92nd Amateur Championship. In the first round, Barber shot a 5-under par 67 on the (East/West) course at Sawgrass Country Club and a 69 in the second round on THE PLAYERS STADIUM course to lead the field of 72 players advancing to the weekend rounds. Playing the final 36 holes of the Championship on THE PLAYERS STADIUM course at 7,215 yards, Barber shot a one under par 71 in the third round to take a 3-stroke lead going into the final day.

In the final round, Barber started strong with birdies on holes 2, 4, and 7 to fire a 34 on the front nine. After making the turn at 2-under par 34, Barber continued to make birdies on holes 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17 to break away from the field. Barber with an eight shot lead heading into the seventeenth hole hit his approach shot to within 8 feet to birdie the Signature par 3-17th hole on THE PLAYERS STADIUM course. Barber tapped in for bogey on the 18th hole to card an even par 36 on the back nine to run away with the title by nine strokes. This victory adds to Barber’s 2006 & 2008 Boys Junior Championship title. Barber, a University of Central Florida golfer, tied for seventh in this year’s Division I Men's Championship and was named the Conference USA Golfer and Freshman of the Year. Barber also earned a spot on the Golf Coaches Association of America All-Freshman Team and was one of five golfers nationally named to the squad.

Blake Soni, of Bradenton, finished in second place nine strokes back of Barber with a tournament total of two under par 286. Soni carded a 4-over par 76 on THE PALYERS STADIUM course in round the final round to secure second place. Kevin Phelan, of Saint Augustine moved up to take third by firing a final round 74 for a tournament total of one under par 287. Tommy Parker, of Palm Beach finished in fourth place with a tournament total of even par 288. Defending Champion Judson Eustaquio, of Lake Worth finished tournament tied for 37th.

Barber receives a crystal vase and his name inscribed on the Clarence Camp Championship Trophy. The top fifteen plus ties receive an exemption into next year’s Florida State Amateur Championship at Bay Hill Club and Lodge.

Round Three Story

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Round One Story

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The 92nd Amateur Championship will be played at TPC Sawgrass and Sawgrass Country Club. Home of the PGA Tour's THE PLAYERS Championship, the Stadium Course recently underwent a major restoration. The tees, fairways and greens were rebuilt with new sand and a modern drainage system to encourage "firm and fast" conditions. Sawgrass Country Club features 27 holes of championship golf designed by Ed Seay of Palmer Course Design.

ELIGIBILITY:  Open to amateur golfers who must be (1) a resident of Florida (reside in Florida at least 4 months per year, have otherwise established legal residency or graduated from a Florida high school and presently attending an out-of-state college); or (2) a military personnel or a dependant of a military personnel based in Florida on active duty.

ENTRY FEE:  $110 ($120 - players who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap). Qualifying Fee includes Entry Fee and cart fee. Those individuals who advance to the Championship through qualifying must pre-register and remit an additional $125 either online at the FSGA website at www.fsga.org or by check to the FSGA office for advance payment of Championship Fees. Payment must be received by Friday, June 19 by 3:30 pm, or the individual will be withdrawn from the Championship. Championship Fee includes cart fees for all competitive rounds.

EXEMPT PLAYER'S FEE: $200 ($210 - players who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap). Exempt Fee includes Championship Fee and Entry Fee for those individuals eligible for exemption. (See below)

EXEMPTIONS:  Players in the following categories will be eligible for exemption provided they meet all entry and eligibility requirements.  

  • Previous Amateur Champions
  • Top 15 & tied from last year’s Amateur Championship
  • Top 20 & tied from last year’s final Player of the Year Rankings
  • Last year’s Boys Junior Champion (16-18 age division)
  • Last year’s Boys Junior Champion (13-15 age division)
  • Last year’s Amateur Match Play Champion
  • Current year's Mid-Amateur Stroke Play Champion
  • Current year’s Public Links Champion
  • Last year’s Mid-Senior Champion
  • Current year’s Senior Champion (senior division)
  • Previous three year’s Mid-Amateur Champions
  • Last year’s Mid-Amateur Semifinalists
  • Current year’s final Winter Series Mid-Senior Points leader
  • Current year’s final Winter Series Senior Points leader
  • Last year's FHSAA Boys Class 1A Individual Champion
  • Last year's FHSAA Boys Class 2A Individual Champion

HANDICAPS:  No higher than 11.4.

QUALIFYING:  18 holes stroke play at 16 sites.  During qualifying, each player must use a golf cart. Caddies are acceptable, but he/she may not ride in a golf cart or carry the player’s clubs. Players are responsible for cart fees for all practice rounds.

CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT:  Seventy-two holes of individual stroke play. All players play eighteen holes each at TPC Sawgrass-THE PLAYERS Stadium course and Sawgrass Country Club (East/West) course on Thursday, June 25th and Friday, June 26th. The field will be cut to the low seventy and ties after thirty-six holes. The final thirty-six holes will be played at TPC Sawgrass-THE PLAYERS Stadium course. The lowest score for 72 holes will be the Champion. If necessary, there will be a three hole aggregate score play-off for champion. If the play-off results in a tie, play will immediately continue, hole by hole. It is the player’s responsibility to be present for any playoff.

CARTS:  During qualifying and the Championship proper, each player must use a golf cart.

PRACTICE ROUND CART FEES:  Players are responsible for practice round cart fees at qualifying sites and at the Championship Proper.

PRACTICE ROUND AND PRACTICE FACILITY INFORMATION: Practice rounds are available one week prior to the Championship on a space available basis at each facility.  Practice rounds are restricted to after 12:00 PM on the weekend prior to the Championship.  All players must take a cart and the cost of the practice round, including range balls and cart, is $50 plus tax at TPC Sawgrass and $35 plus tax at Sawgrass Country Club. Players are allowed one practice round per course.  Only exempt and qualifying participants may play practice rounds. Alternates are not extended practice privileges. Starting times for your practice round can be arranged by calling the club. The golf shop telephone number is (904) 273-3235 for the TPC Sawgrass and (904) 273-3720 for Sawgrass Country Club.   

You may not make your practice round tee time before groupings are made. Groupings will be made on Wednesday, June 10th and faxed to the club that morning.  Players will be allowed to practice after their practice round on Tuesday & Wednesday and after each competitive round. 

CHAMPIONSHIP PACE OF PLAY: Click here to read the Championship Pace of Play Policy.

HARD CARD; LOCAL RULES AND CONDITIONS OF COMPETITIONS: Click here to read the Hard Card and additional Conditions of Competitions.

CHAMPIONSHIP POLICIES: Click here to read the withdrawal, dress code, caddie and spectator and other policies.

ALTERNATE PROCEDURES: Click here here for alternate procedures.

ACCOMMODATIONS:  The host hotel is The Sawgrass Golf Resort and Spa, a Marriot Resort. Run of house guest room rates will be $99 based on single/double occupancy plus 9% tax, and the Island Green Villa Suite rate will be $139 based on single/double occupancy plus 9% tax.  To make reservations please call 1-800-457-GOLF (4563) and ask for reservations.  Please identify yourself as an FSGA State Amateur participant.  Reservations will be accepted on a call-in basis until May 22.  After this cut-off date, any uncommitted rooms from your group will be released and further reservation requests will be honored on a space and rate available basis.

SPECTATORS AND CADDIES:  Spectators and caddies are always welcome at FSGA Championships. Only players are allowed to ride in carts.  If a player employs a caddie, the caddie MUST walk and the player’s clubs must remain on the golf cart. 

ON-SITE REGISTRATION:   There will a registration table set up in the President’s Cup Library at TPC Sawgrass to pick up your tee gift and player information the day before the Championship from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.  This is NOT a mandatory registration.  Tee gifts and player information will be available for pick up before the competitive rounds for players not playing a practice round on Wednesday. If we have received your payment for your Championship fees by Friday, June 19th you have pre-registered for the Championship. TPC Sawgrass The Membership, PGA Tour, TPC Network and the board of directors would like all of you to enjoy your experience during the Amateur Championship.

  • Clubs will be dropped off at the valet and the staff will place your clubs on your cart.
  • Players are to change their shoes in the locker room; not in the parking lot.
  • Players are encouraged to use the services of the clubhouse including the buffets and grill room for food and beverage as well as the locker room and its services.
  • Gentlemen are prohibited from wearing their hats while in the club house.
  • TPC Sawgrass strictly prohibits the use cell phones, ear pieces & blackberry’s etc, on the golf course and in the club house. Leave your cell phone in your car.

DRESS CODE:  Gentlemen are required to have shirts tucked in and hats worn properly while on the golf course.  The wearing of a mock turtle neck shirts designed for golf is permitted.  All shirts must have a collar. Remember that you are guests of TPC Sawgrass. Entries are subject to rejection or withdrawal at any time (including during the event). The reason for withdrawal may include improper attire and/or unbecoming conduct.

METHOD OF PAYMENTS: TPC Sawgrass and Sawgarss Country Club accepts cash and Visa/MasterCard and American Express for payment. 

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS:  Judson Eustaquio, of Lake Worth, fired a 68-72-74-66--280 at Jupiter Hills Club to win the 91st Amateur Championship.