Amateur Public Links Championship

Parker Wins Public Links Championship

Robert Parker fired a 5-under par 67 in the final round to win the Florida State Public Links Championship at Falcon’s Fire Golf Club in Kissimmee. 

Parker, of Sanford, posted a 71 in the first round with a triple bogey on the 18th hole to trail the leader by one stroke. In the final round, Parker came out and fired the low round of the tournament, 67, to finish with a 6-under par 138 and win his first State Championship. Eric Black, of Celebration, placed second shooting a 70-69—139. Black, 15, a Florida Junior Tour competitor, led the field after the first round. Matthew Anderson, from Deerfield Beach, and Gabe Menjivar, of DeLand, tied for third each recording a two-round total 141. Anderson shot a 73-68 while Menjivar carded a 72-69.

Originally scheduled for August 14-15, the Public Links Championship was postponed due to the hurricanes. This is the third State Public Links Championship that Falcon’s Fire has hosted. The competitors must be bona fide public course players who are not members of a private club. Competitors play 18 holes of stroke play on the first day and then, the field is flighted and competitors play another 18 holes of stroke play on the final day.

Falcon’s Fire Golf Club is a Rees Jones Signature Design Masterpiece that pays respect to the timeless traditions of the game of golf. This classic golf course establishes the standards by which all golf facilities are evaluated. Falcon's Fire has won the 1999 Apex Award as one of North America’s Top 10 Golf Tournament Facilities, and was host to the Oldsmobile Scramble National Finals and the Senior PGA Tour Regional Qualifying Tournament 1993 - 2001. Also, it was voted 4 stars by Golf Digest’s Places to Play publication.

ELIGIBILITY

Competitors must be bona fide public course players, since January 1, 2004, and have not held privileges at any course that does not extend playing privileges to the general public, or privileges at any private club maintaining its own course. A bona fide public course player may hold incidental privileges at a course not open to the public when such privileges are provided by (1) an educational institution at which he/she attends, or (2) a federal armed service at which he/she is a member, or (3) an industry by which he/she is employed. Must be a member of the FSGA.

ENTRY FEE

$160. ($150 for online entry.) Includes two competitive rounds, cart fees for the competitive rounds and prizes.

CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT

36 holes stroke play.

FLIGHTS

After 18 holes.

CARTS

Players are responsible for practice round cart fees.

DEFENDING CHAMPION

Todd Elliott, of Bradenton, shot a 72-69--141 to claim the title at Celebration Golf Club.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Arrangements have been made at the Hampton Inn Maingate for $59 per night. The deadline for reservations is July 14. Call (407) 396-8484 and identify yourself as an FSGA competitor for reservations.

HANDICAP

No higher than 8.4