Women's Four-Ball Championship

Gabriella Albert | Chloe Kovelesky

Fort Myers, Fla. – It was Chloe Kovelesky and Gabriella Albert who raised the trophy this weekend at the Women’s Four-Ball Championship at Estero Country Club. The two-person team outlasted the defending champions, Elle Nachmann and Amelia Williams, by one stroke to secure the victory.

The Women’s Four-Ball consisted of 35 teams over 36-holes of Four-Ball stoke play, commonly known as two-person, Best-Ball. The teams were separated into three divisions: Championship, Mid-Amateur, and Middle.

Championship

Chloe Kovelesky surpassed the field during round one by shooting a course record of 64 on her own ball. The pair carded a team score of 61 to hold the lead by four stokes heading into the final round. Kovelesky birded the first four holes to shoot a front-nine score of 31 (team score of 30). The pair then continued to card five more birdies for a back-nine team total of 31.

Meanwhile, defending champions, Elle Nachmann and Amelia Williams, posted a solid first round score of 65 to sit four shots shy of the lead. The duo carded seven birdies over 18 holes. The final round proved to be an exciting one between these two teams competing for the title. Nachmann and Williams carded nine birdies en route to a 63. Kovelesky and Albert avoided a potential two shot swing on hole eight after Albert rolled in a clutch eight-footer for par while Nachmann and Williams barely missed their birdie putt. Amelia Williams then rolled in a birdie putt from off the green on hole nine to fire up the comeback. The back nine remained close, but Kovelesky and Albert birdied the last hole and posted a final score of 66 to avoid a playoff and secure the win by one stroke.

Mid-Amateur Division

Mary Jane Hiestand and Ailsa Clark fired a first round score of 70 to hold the lead by nine strokes heading into the final round. Consistency was key for Hiestand and Clark as they recorded identical front nine scores of 35 with one birdie on each side. The duo shot a low round of 69 on Sunday to secure the win by eleven strokes.

Amy Kennedy and Natalie McNicholas took second place with a final round score of 71.

Middle Division

Gross Results

There was a three-way tie at (+10) for first place between team Lou Tenarvitz/Melissa Gotfredson, team Beth Wardlaw/Reece Peterson, and team Cheryl Sadlon/Meredith Blinn. Using the USGA method of tie-breaking, team Tenarvitz/Gotfredson claimed the victory.

Net Results

Cheryl Sadlon and Meredith Blinn carded a final net score of 65. The duo posted nine-hole scores of 33-32 including eight total birdies.

Amy Palladino and Kathi Sorey took second place Net posting scores of 63-73 and a 36-hole total of (-8).

Middle First Flight

Gross Results

Cynthia Binkley and Susan Macina captured first place with scores of 79-82. The team of Lynn Robbins and Pam Dionise secured second place with scores of 82-87.

Net Results

The team of Lynn Robbins and Pam Dionise claimed first place net with scores of 66-68 to finish at (-10) over 36-holes. In addition, the team of Cynthia Binkley and Susan Macina finished second with scores of 68-69 to finish at (-7) for 36-holes.

Format

• 36 holes of Four-Ball stroke play, (commonly known as a two-person, Best-Ball)
• Maximum Field Size - 48 teams (96 players)
• Three divisions - Championship, Mid-Amateur, and Middle
• The overall Champion will be the team from the Championship or Mid-Amateur Division with the lowest 36-hole total score
  • A team competing in the Mid-Amateur Division is eligible to win the overall Championship

Eligibility

• Female amateur golfers
• One entrant must be at least 16 years of age as of the first day of the Championship
• Committee approval is required for entry if the second partner is less than 13 years of age
• Both entrants must be at least 22 years of age as of the first day of the Championship to play in the Mid-Amateur Division at time of entry
• A valid Florida GHIN Handicap Index not exceeding 34.0 at time of entry
• Both entrants are required to be members of the FSGA

Entry Fee

• $340 (per team)

Entry fee includes all competitive rounds of golf, tee gift, awards luncheon and gift certificate prizes. Late entries will be accepted subject to a $10 late fee should the team gain acceptance into the field. 

Schedule of Events

Saturday, August 13th

• 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM - Player registration
• 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM - Tee times off #1 and #10 

Sunday, August 14th

• 8:30 AM - Final round shotgun
• Awards luncheon immediately following play 

Entry Priority

Entries will be accepted based upon the order of receipt. Half of the number of teams for the entire field will be held for the Championship and Mid-Amateur Divisions. Entries received after the competitive field is full, or after the close of entries, will be placed on an alternates list. Alternates will be contacted in order of receipt of entry, if and when, a spot becomes available. 

Partner Changes

Partner changes will be accommodated following these guidelines:

• One player on the original entry must remain on the side.
• Partner changes in the Middle Division will NOT be permitted after divisions and flights have been posted if the new player would move the side to another flight or division.
  (Example - First Flight handicap range 10-15, the new partner must have a handicap within the 10-15 handicap range). 

Divisions & Course Set-Up

Teams must select their division at the time of entry. A team may not switch divisions once pairings are posted.

• Championship Division - 6,100 yards (Gross Only)
• Mid-Amateur Division - 6,100 yards (Gross Only)
• Middle Division - 5,200 yards (Gross & Net)

Suggested Handicap Guidelines

The following should be considered when selecting divisions (recommended based on combined team handicaps).

• Championship Division - 18.0 & Under
• Mid-Amateur Division - 18.0 & Under
• Middle Division - 44 & Under

Committee Discretion: The Championship Committee reserves the right to move any team out of the Middle Division if their team handicap (or an individual partner's handicap) is significantly lower than the majority of the competitors in that division, and their scoring history does not reflect the need to play from the Middle Division yardage. 

Handicap Requirements

• All valid Florida GHIN Handicap Indexes used will be from 7 days prior to the championship start date
• Each player must have a valid Florida GHIN Handicap Index not exceeding 34.0
• Players in the Middle Division will play to 85% of their course handicap

It is the responsibility of any player that maintains a Handicap Index lower than her current Florida GHIN Handicap to inform the FSGA for resolution. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

Flighting

The Championship and Mid-Amateur Division are gross only and will not be flighted.   

The Middle Division will be pre-flighted based on combined team handicaps.

Generally, divisions of more than 12 teams will be pre-flighted. Flights will be based on the number of teams and the range of combined team handicaps.

Breaking Ties

Championship Division – The overall Champion will be the team with the lowest total score.  A team competing in the Mid-Amateur Division is eligible to win the overall Championship. In the event of a tie for first place, there will be a hole-by-hole sudden death playoff on a hole designated by the Committee to determine the Champions.

Net Divisions – All ties in each flight of the Net Divisions will be broken by the USGA scorecard match. The last 9 holes will be considered holes 10-18, the last 6 holes will be holes 13-18, the last 3 holes will be holes 16-18 and the last hole will be hole 18. In the case that players are still tied after the 18th hole, the winner will be determined by lot. 

Net Divisions will pay gross first, then net. 

Practice Rounds

Practice rounds are available five days prior to the Championship on a space available basis and after 12:00 PM the weekend before. The price for a practice round is $40.00 + tax and includes cart and range balls prior to the round. Please call 239-267-7003 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

Elle Nachmann and Amelia Williams captured the 2021 Four-Ball Championship at BallenIsles Country Club. Nachmann and Williams fired a final-round 63 to take home the win with a 16-under 128 for the championship. This win marked the first FSGA championship for Williams, while Nachmann picked up her fifth FSGA victory and her second Four-Ball title.

Click here for the previous year's results.

Other Policies

• Spectators and Spectator Cart Policy - Click here.
• Caddies - Caddies are allowed in all FSGA Championships except Junior events. However, a player must not use a parent, step-parent or guardian as a caddie. The caddie MUST walk and the player MUST ride, with the player’s clubs remaining on the golf cart.
  
• Championship Pace of Play Policy - Click here.
• Local Rules and Terms 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 Hotels

Ritz-Carlton Naples Golf Resort

• Click Here to Book
• 30 min drive to the club
• $199 per night

Courtyard Fort Myers at I-75 and Gulf Coast Town Center

• Address: 10050 Gulf Center Drive Fort Myers, FL 33913
• Phone: (239) 332-4747

Booking Details

• 1 King, Sofa Bed - $109/night + tax
• 2 Queen - $109/night + tax
• Book Room HERE!

Booking Deadline: July 11, 2022

Directions to Estero Country Club

Payment

Estero Country Club accepts Visa and MasterCard as method of payment.

Directions

Estero Country Club
19501 Vintage Trace Circle
Village of Estero, FL 33967
239-267-7003

Click here for directions