Mid-Senior Championship

Bell Wins Mid-Senior

Don Bell posted a 8-under par 208 to capture the Mid-Senior Championship title this weekend at the Members Club at Marco in Naples. 

Don Bell, of Port Orange, fired a 3-under par 69 during his first round at Hammock Bay, leaving him tied for fourth place behind John Wegmann, Mike Jackson and Joe Alfieri. During his second round at The Rookery, Bell fired another 3-under par 69 for a two round total of 138, making the cut and securing his third place spot.

Continuing his under par play during the final round, at The Rookery, Bell fired a 2-under par 70, three round total of 8-under par 208, to capture the Mid-Senior Championship title. During Bell's bogey free final round, he sunk two birdie putts on holes 2 and 18 and consistently made pars the rest of his round.

Both courses at the Members Club faced a lot of heavy rain during the days before and during the tournament. Even with the wet conditions Bell prevailed, "Today I played aggressive off the tee because I wanted the shortest irons into the green, and the wet fairways allowed me to be aggressive. The key for me was hitting 17 greens in regulation."

John Wegmann, of Southwest Ranches, who held the lead after rounds one and two, finished tied for second with Thad Hudgens, of Longwood, with a three round total of 7-under par 209. 

To be eligible for the Mid-Senior Championship, players must be 40 years of age or older. The Championship consists of 54 holes of stroke play cut to the low 70 plus ties after 36 holes. The first two rounds were played on the Hammock Bay and The Rookery Course with 76 players advancing with a two-round total of 156 and better to the final round on The Rookery.

Final Results

Round 2 Results

Round 1 Results

Entries Close Wednesday, August 7, 2013

The Mid-Senior Championship provides players 40 years and older a Championship environment without having to compete with juniors and collegiate players.  Competitors can use the Championship for either a road trip with the guys or a weekend away with a spouse.  Do not miss out on an opportunity to stay at The Marco Island Resort and Spa for a fantastic rate of $99 plus tax.  The resort offers two fantastic golf courses; The Rookery Course and Hammock Bay G & CC.  Both course offer a great challenge to players and seamlessly incorporate the surrounding wetlands into the course design.

Eligibility

Male amateurs must be age 40 or older as of August 23, 2013, and be a member of the FSGA.

Entry Fee

$190 ($200 - members who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap). Late entries will be accepted subject to a $10 late entry fee should the entrant gain acceptance into the field.

Championship

Fifty-four holes of individual stroke play. All players play eighteen holes each on the Rookery and the Hammock Bay Course on Friday, August 23rd and Saturday, August 24th. The field will be cut to the low seventy and ties after thirty-six holes. The final eighteen holes will be played on the Rookery Course. The lowest score for fifty-four holes will be the Champion. There will be a hole by hole play-off immediately following play in event of a tie for the Champion. It is the player's responsibility to be present for any playoff.

Schedule of Events

Friday, August 23rd

• 8:00 AM - 9:57 AM - Round One tee times off of #1 and #10 (Rookery Course)
• 8:00 AM - 9:57 AM - Round One tee times off of #1 and #10 (Hammock Bay Course)

Saturday, August 24th

• 8:00 AM - 9:57 AM - Round Two tee times off of #1 and #10 (Rookery Course)
• 8:00 AM - 9:57 AM - Round Two tee times off of #1 and #10 (Hammock Bay Course)
• After the completion of play the field will be cut to the low 70 players and ties

Sunday, August 25th

• 8:00 AM - Final Round tee times begin off of #1 and #10 (Rookery Course)
• Awards ceremony immediately following the completion of play

Championship Field Size

168 players

Course Set-Up

The golf courses will be set-up at approximately 6,600 - 6,800 yards.

Carts

Carts are included for all competitive rounds. Players are responsible for practice round fees.

Practice Rounds and Practice Between Rounds

Practice rounds are available one week prior to the championship.  Practice rounds may be played after 12:00 PM on the weekend. The price for a practice round is $35.00 + tax.  Please call (239) 389-6600 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.

Also, the Championship Committee is permitting practice on any competition course or part of any course on any day of or between rounds of the Championship. As a result, competitors are allowed to play a practice round on the course remaining to be played after the first round.

Defending Champion

Ken Moody of Ponte Vedra Beach, shot a 71-72--143 in the weather-shortened event at the Longboat Key Club.

Exemptions Earned from this Tournament

Winner

• Current year's Mid-Amateur Championship
• Next year's Amateur Championship
• Next year's Amateur Match Play Championship

Top thirty and tied finishers

• Next year's Senior Amateur Championship

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.

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.

Conditions; Schedules

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.

Accommodations

The FSGA has a $99.00 rate for competitors at the Marco Island Marriott Resort & Spa.  To make your reservation, please call 1(800) 228-9290 and identify yourself as an FSGA participant.

Payment

Marco Island Resort accepts Visa/Mastercard for method of payment.

Directions

Marco Island Beach Resort, Golf Club & Spa

400 South Collier Blvd
Marco Island, FL 34145
(239) 389-6600
Click here

The Rookery Course

3433 Club Center Blvd
Naples, FL 34114
(239) 389-6600

The course is located off SR 951, south of US 41 in Naples. From the I-75 / SR 951 (exit 101) intersection: Take SR 951 south to Fiddlers Creek (approx. 4 miles south of the SR 951/ US 41 intersection). Turn left onto Fiddlers Creek and follow the signs to the pro-shop.

Hammock Bay Course

1370 Borghese Lane
Naples, FL 34114
(239) 389-6600

The course is located off SR 951, south of US 41 in Naples. From the I-75 / SR 951 (exit 101) intersection: Take SR 951 south to Marco Shores (approx. 5 miles south of the SR 951/ US 41 intersection). Turn left onto Marco Shores and follow the signs to the pro-shop.