Florida Open Championship

Dale Posts Final Round 63 en route to 73rd Florida Open Championship

PALM COAST, Fla. – An hour and a half. That’s how long Sean Dale had to wait to be crowned the 73rd Florida Open Champion on Sunday at Hammock Dunes Club. Dale fired a final-round 9-under 63 to capture the championship at 12-under 204.

“I’m born and raised in Jacksonville. A Florida boy by heart, so it means a lot,” Dale said.

Teeing off over an hour before the final group, Dale began the day seeking his first Florida State Golf Association win in over nine years. He got off to a quick start with a birdie on the first hole, before adding another two birdies on the front nine.

“I knew that if I could get myself some chances at birdie, they got to eventually fall. I hit 13 to 14 fairways and 17 to 18 greens, so it made it pretty easy.” Dale said.

He turned it up on the second nine, birding three of the first four holes. Dale added an eagle on the par-5 14th hole, hitting a 5-iron from 215 yards to 10 feet. The Jacksonville native played his final four holes at 1-under with a birdie on the 17th and finished with a bogey-free final round.

After beginning the day eight shots behind leader Mickey DeMorat, Dale headed to the clubhouse with a two-shot lead over the field.

DeMorat started the day with three-stroke lead, but couldn’t get anything going on the front nine, finishing with a 37. After four pars to start the back nine, DeMorat birdied the 14th hole to pull within one shot of Dale.

The Merritt Island native drained a 12-foot birdie putt on the 17th to head to the final hole in a tie for first.

His tee shot on the 18th went left and DeMorat found his ball in the penalty area. After debating whether to play the ball or take a drop with one penalty stroke. He chose to play the ball. It took two attempts for him to punch the ball out in fairway.

The Liberty University graduate hit his fourth shot to two feet and tapped it in for bogey, securing the championship for Dale.

This was the second Florida State Golf Association win for Dale, after he captured the 2010 Florida Amateur Championship. He becomes only the eighth player in FSGA history to win both the Florida Amateur and Florida Open. 

“It’s special. Being eight shots back coming into today, it wasn’t really expected. I had a good front nine and kept it rolling,” Dale said.

DeMorat took home another top-five Florida Open finish, posting a 11-under 205 to take second place. Tyler Collet carded another 3-under 69 to secure solo third place at 10-under 206. Rod Perry and Travis Huston finished in a tie for third place at 9-under 207.

Nick Gabrelcik shot a final-round 7-under 65 to earn low-amateur honors. The 17-year-old finished the championship in sixth place at 8-under 208.

Final Results  |  Professional Payouts  |  Round 1 Recap  |  Round 2 Recap

$100,000 Purse

Local Qualifying Purses 

$12,000-$14,000 Total Across 16 Sites

The FSGA is contributing money that will be paid at local qualifying sites in appreciation of the Golf Professionals of Florida!

(Each qualifying site's purse is determined by the number of Professionals who "tee off" in that specific qualifier - WD's and no shows do not count) - See local purse schedule here

Hammock Dunes Club plays host to the 73rd Florida Open in Palm Coast. The Florida Open is open to PGA golf professionals, amateur golfers, and other professional golfers who meet the eligibility requirements listed below. The Florida Open has a rich history that dates back to 1942 and includes notable champions, such as Bob Murphy, Gary Koch, Charles Owens, Bruce Fleisher, John Huston, Dudley Hart, and Bart Bryant among others.  Click here to read more about the historic event and its past Champions.

Professionals and Amateurs can qualify for the Championship through local qualifying.  Exemptions are available through State Amateur Championships & PGA Section Events.

Click here for a video highlighting Hammock Dunes - Creek Course

Championship Format

• 54 holes of individual stroke play
• The field will be cut to the low 60 and ties after 36 holes
• The lowest score for 54 holes will be the Champion
• All players will play 18 holes each on the Creek Course and the Links Course on Friday, July 12th, and Saturday, July 13th
• The final 18 holes will be played on the Creek Course on Sunday, July 14th

Championship Field Size

• Maximum of 156 players

Eligibility

• Male amateur and professional golfers
• Florida Resident  (If you have any doubt - please click and review to avoid issues)
• A valid USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 6.4 at the time of entry (amateurs and amateurs awaiting reinstatement only)
• Entrant is not required to be a member of the FSGA
• PGA class A-3 members are ineligible
• Playing Activity - Players that have played in less than (7) "major" tour events or less than (19) "one or two-day" type mini-tour events in the 12 months prior to the Championship are eligible
• If you have any questions about your eligibility, it is the player's responsibility to review the guidelines and to contact the FSGA office as needed to ensure eligibility
• Ineligible applicants will not receive refunds  Click here to view FSGA Tournament Policies.

Qualifying Sites

• June 12 - Southwood Golf Club, Tallahassee
• June 13 - LPGA International Golf Course (Jones Course), Daytona Beach
• June 13 - Turtle Creek Club, Tequesta
• June 17 - Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes, Longwood
• June 17 - Wellington National Golf Club, West Palm Beach
• June 18 - Old Corkscrew, Estero
• June 24 - Cypress Run Golf Club, Tarpon Springs
• June 24 - Pensacola Country Club, Pensacola
• June 24 - Ritz-Carlton Golf Club- Orlando, Orlando
• June 26 - Black Diamond Ranch (Ranch Course), Lecanto
• June 27 - Longboat Key Club (Harbourside Red/White Course), Longboat Key
• July 1 - Deerwood Country Club, Jacksonville
• July 1 - Hunter's Green Country Club, Tampa
• July 1 - Lago Mar Country Club, Plantation
• July 2 - Santa Lucia River Club, Port Saint Lucie
• July 3 - Colonial Country Club, Fort Myers

Entry Fees

• Qualifying Fee: Qualifying Fee includes entry fee and course and cart fees, and range balls.
• Championship Fee: Fee paid by those individuals who advance to the Championship through qualifying includes tee gifts, course and cart fees, range balls and lunch for each competitive round.
• Exempt Fee : Exempt Fee includes Championship Fee and Entry Fee for those individuals eligible for exemption.

Entries for qualifying are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the site field is full. Entries are then placed on an alternates list in order of receipt and contacted if, and when, a spot becomes available.

Late entries are subject to a $10 late entry fee should the entrant gain acceptance into the field.

Pre-Registration

Those individuals who advance to the Championship through qualifying must pre-register and remit the appropriate Championship Fee (See Above) online at www.fsga.org under the "My Account" section, which can be located in the top right hand corner of the web-page.  Payment must be received by Friday July 5th by 3:30 pm or the individual will be withdrawn from the Championship.  Championship fee includes competitive round lunches, golf, cart fees and range balls, player's badge, tee gift.

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

Qualifying Entry Fees - 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 two days of the scheduled start date of the qualifier.

Championship Fees & Exempt Entry Fees - 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 (See pre-registration date displayed on this page).

Local Qualifying Purses 

Local Qualifying consists of 18 holes of stroke play at 16 local qualifying sites. A purse for professionals is being introduced at the local qualifiers. The average approximate purse is $1,000 and is determined by the amount of professionals who begin (tee off) at each qualifier. Click here to view the payout schedule.

A player exempt from local qualifying, at the time of entry, may elect to forego the exemption, pay the qualifying fee, and compete in a local qualifier. The election to waive the exemption is irreversible.

Transferring Qualifying Sites

Players may submit one entry for the Florida Open and choose the site at which they will attempt to qualify.  However, if any site requires adjustment (including, but not limited to, the receipt of more entries than can be accommodated), players will be transferred to another site based on their preference listed on the entry application and date of receipt of entry application (i.e. later applicants will be subject to transfer)

Schedule of Events 

Friday, July 12th

• 7:30 AM - 9:18 AM - Round one tee times off of #1 and #10 on both the Creek & Links Courses
• Complimentary players' lunch in both clubhouses

Saturday, July 13th

• 7:30 AM - 9:18 AM - Round two tee times off of #1 and #10 on both the Creek & Links Courses
• Complimentary players' lunch in both clubhouses
• The field will be cut to low 60 players and ties after the completion of play

Sunday, July 14th

• 7:30 AM - Final round tee times begin off of #1 and #10 on the Creek Course
• Complimentary players' lunch in the main clubhouse
• Awards ceremony immediately following the completion of play 

Course Set-Up

The golf course will be set-up at approximately 7,000 yards.

Estimated Purse

$100,000 (see estimated purse pay-out)  1st Place - $15,000

Defending Champion

Gabriel Lench won the 72nd Florida Open with a 6-under par total of 208 and won by two strokes over 2003 Florida Open Champion, Joe Alfieri. The two-time Florida Amateur Champion became just the third player (Chase Seiffert, 2012 & Don Bisplinghof, 1955) to capture both the Florida Open & Amateur in the same summer. Professionals Mickey DeMorat & Matt Cote shared low professional honors. Click here to view the 2018 results.

Cart and Caddie Policy

During qualifying and the Championship proper, each player must use a golf cart which is included in the qualifying and Championship entry fees. Caddies are allowed without restriction. The caddie MUST walk and the player's clubs must remain on the golf cart. 

Championship Information

Play-Off

If necessary, there will be a hole-by-hole "sudden death" play-off for Champion. It is the player’s responsibility to be present for any playoff.

Practice Round Information

Practice rounds will be available to the competitors one week in advance of the competition on a space available basis.  Practice rounds are restricted to after 12:00 PM on the weekend prior to the Championship. The cost of practice rounds is $30 plus tax. Players will be responsible for direct payment of any fees for the practice rounds. Please call (386) 447-7116 Creek Course or (386) 446-6222 Links Course to schedule a practice round.

You may not make your practice round tee time before qualifying is completed. A list of players will be faxed to the club following the conclusion of qualifying. 

Practice Before & Between Rounds

A player may not practice on the competition course before or between rounds. Penalty for first breach: General Penalty. Penalty for second breach: Disqualification.

Exemptions

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

NOTE: Blank entries will be filed by the FSGA for players who become exempt after the close of entries.    

PROFESSIONALS

• Last five year's Florida Open Champions
• Professionals finishing top ten and tied from last year’s Florida Open Championship
• Championship Host Clubs' Representative (may be an amateur)
• Players qualified for the current year's U.S. Open Championship
• Current year’s SFPGA Open Champion
• Current year’s Fort Lauderdale Open Champion (Regular Division)
• Players qualified for or exempt into the current year's PGA Professional Championship
• Last year's top ten and tied Dixie, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Championship finishers
• Last year’s AL-NWFL PGA, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Senior (Regular Division) Champion
• Last year's AL-NWFL PGA, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Chapter Champions
• Last year’s top five and tied AL-NWFL PGA, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Assistant Championship finishers
• Last year’s AL-NWFL PGA Section Match Play Championship Finalists
• Last year’s NFPGA Section Match Play Champion Finalists
• Current year's Florida Senior Open Champion
• Last year's top five and tied from the final AL-NWFL PGA, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Player of the Year Points List
• Last year’s AL-NWFL PGA, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Senior (Regular Division) Player of the Year

AMATEURS

• Last five year's Florida Open Champions
• Amateurs finishing top ten and tied from last year’s Florida Open Championship
• Current and last two year’s Amateur Champions
• Players qualified for the current year's U.S. Open Championship
• Top 200 and tied from last year's final World Amateur Golf Rankings
• Last year’s top five and tied Amateur Championship finishers
• Last year’s top five and tied from the final FSGA Player of the Year Points List
• Last year’s Junior Amateur Player of the Year
• Last year’s Senior Amateur Player of the Year
• Last year's Florida Senior Open Champion
• Last year’s Boys Junior Champion (16-18 Age Division)
• Last year’s Amateur Match Play Champion
• Last year's Mid-Amateur Stroke Play Champion
• Current year’s Mid-Amateur Champion

Exemptions Earned from this Tournament

Winner

• Next five Florida Opens

Players finishing in the top ten and tied

• Next year's Florida Open

Low Amateur

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

Amateurs finishing in the top five and tied

• Next year's Amateur Championship

Other Policies

• Spectators and Spectator Cart Policy -  Click here.
• Caddies - Caddies are allowed in all FSGA Championships except Junior events. The caddie MUST walk and the player's clubs must remain on the golf cart. - Click here
• Championship Pace of Play Policy - Click here.
• Local Rules and Terms of the 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.

Supporting Sponsor

The FSGA is pleased to welcome the following Supporting Sponsors of the 2019 Florida Open Championship.

Global Golf Sales - Steve Sponder and his sales team are the top source for golf grips, club repair, and many pro shop needs in the state. Located in a Southeast Florida warehouse and with great inventory on hand. The team at Global Golf Sales can generally reach most golf shops in with next day shipping and will have the product you need in stock.

Shirt Sponsor & Hat Sponsor

Cutter & Buck is the official shirt of the Florida Open Championship and Imperial will serve as the official headwear of the Florida Open.

Host Hotel and Accommodations

Primary Hotel - same exit as Links Course and one exit south of Creek Course off i95

Fairfield Inn & Suites Palm Coast I-95
400 Old King Road
Palm Coast, FL 32137
386-445-3450

$99 per room, per night, plus tax. Rate includes breakfast. Please click here to book online or call hotel requesting "Florida Open Championship Room Block." Book by Sunday, June 30th to guarantee rate. Rate will be honored after June 30th on a space available basis.

Secondary Hotel - one exit south of Links Course and two exits south of Creek Course off i95

Hilton Garden Inn
55 Town Center Boulevard
Palm Coast, Florida 32164
386-586-2463

$96 per room, per night plus tax. Rate does not include breakfast. Please click here to book online or call hotel requesting "Florida Open Championship Room Block. Book by Saturday, July 6th to guarantee rate. Rate will be honored after July 6th on space available basis.

Dress Code

Proper attire for competitors and caddies is required at all times at the golf facility.  Failure to comply may result in withdrawal of entry.

• Golf Shorts are permitted
• All hats must be worn properly.
• Collared shirts or shirts specifically designed for golf must be worn and tucked in at all times.
• This code supplements any course or club guidelines, which shall take precedence.

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 two days of the start of the tournament.

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 per-registration deadline.

Publicity and Promotion; Broadcasting

By participating in FSGA Events you grant the FSGA and those acting with the FSGA, permission, authority and the permanent rights to use your name or likeness for publicity and promotional purposes. Participants understand that all Media, including film, photographic prints, audio or digital files are the exclusive property of the FSGA. Participants in FSGA events waive their rights to inspect or approve all media produced by the FSGA and those acting on the FSGA's behalf. Participants waive their permanent rights to compensation for use of their name and likeness by the FSGA.

Payment 

Hammock Dunes Club accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Amex for payment.

Directions

Hammock Dunes Club

Creek Course
24 Creek Course Drive
Palm Coast, FL 32137
386-447-7116

Links Course
30 Avenue Royale
Palm Coast, FL 32137
386-446-6222