Four-Ball Championship

Bird & Gould Win 61st Four-Ball

The team of Bobby Bird and Chuck Gould fired a final round 64 to win the 61st Florida State Four-Ball Championship at Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast on July 10-11.  

The duo from Vero Beach, Bobby Bird and Chuck Gould, posted a tournament total of 15-under par 129 to win the 2010 Championship. After a first round 65 on the Conservatory course, the duo was tied for the lead entering the final round. Playing the final round on the Ocean course, Bird and Gould played another solid round of golf carding a final round eight-under par 64 to secure the victory by one stroke.  Bird was this year’s Mid-Amateur Stroke Play Champion, and was the runner up in this year’s Two-Man Shoot-Out Championship.

Stephen Anderson, from Hobe Sound, and R J Nakashian, from Palm Beach Gardens, finished with a tournament total of 14 under par 130 recording a 67-63 for the two rounds for a second place finish. The duo from Ocala, Joel Durrance and Tyler Hock finished alone in third place with a tournament total of 13-under par 131. Defending Champions Kelly Gosse, of Ocala and Tim Hume, of Tampa finished tied for eighth place with a tournament total of 10-under par 134.

From June 14-July 1, the Florida State Golf Association conducted eight qualifying tournaments for amateur golfers trying to advance to the Championship at Hammock Beach Resort. In the Championship, players will play 18 holes each on the Conservatory course and the Ocean course. In four-ball stroke play, two competitors play as partners, each playing his own ball. The lower score of the partners is the score for the hole.

Entries Close Wednesday, June 2, 2010

The 61st Four-Ball Championship will be played on the Ocean and Conservatory Courses at Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Bay. The Ocean Course, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design, hosted the 2003 U.S. Women's Public Links Championship where Michelle Wie claimed the title at the young age of 13.  The Conservatory Course, designed by Tom Watson, hosted the PGA TOUR's Ginn sur Mer Classic in 2008.  The Ocean Course features six holes along the Atlantic Ocean and is known for its charm and beauty, while the Conservatory Course is comprised of dramatic elevation changes and undulating greens.

ELIGIBILITY  

Entrants must both be amateur members of the FSGA.

ENTRY FEE

$160 per team ($180 per team - members who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap). Qualifying Fee includes Entry Fee and cart fee. Those teams who advance to the Championship through qualifying must pre-register and remit an additional $220 per team 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 Monday, July 5 at 3:30 pm, or the team will be withdrawn from the Championship. Championship Fee includes cart fees for all competitive rounds.

EXEMPT PLAYER'S FEE

$320 per team ($340 per team - members who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap). Exempt Fee includes Championship Fee and Entry Fee for those teams eligible for exemption. (See below)

CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT

36 holes of four-ball stroke play. On Saturday, July 10, all players will play 18 holes on The Conservatory Course. On Sunday, July 11, all players will play 18 holes on The Ocean Course. Range balls will be provided before and after each competitive round. The lowest team score for 36 holes will be the Champion. If necessary, there will be a hole by hole play-off to determine the Champion. It is the player's responsibility to be present for any play-off.

QUALIFYING

18 holes four-ball stroke play at 8 sites. During qualifying, each team 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. Qualifying Sites - Click here

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS

Kelly Gosse, from Inverness, and Tim Hume, of Tampa, shot a pair of 65's to win by one stroke at The Ritz-Carlton Members Club.

CARTS

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

PRACTICE ROUNDS

Practice rounds are available one week prior to the championship. Practice rounds must be played after 12:00 PM on the weekend. The price for your practice round is $50.00 + tax + resort service fee. Please call (386) 246-5500 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.

EXEMPTIONS

Teams in the following categories will be eligible for exemption provided they meet all entry and eligibility requirements (teams must remain intact).

• Top 5 teams & tied from last year's Four-Ball Championship
• Previous three year's Four-Ball Champions
• Current year's Mid-Amateur Four-Ball Champions
• Last year's Mid-Senior Four-Ball Champions
• Current year's Senior/Mid-Amateur Four-Ball Champions
• Last year's Senior Four-Ball Champions

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 for information on how alternates may gain entry into either qualifying for the Championship or into the Championship proper.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Click the hotel icon for hotels in the Palm Coast area.

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.

METHOD OF PAYMENT

Hammock Beach Resort accepts cash, Visa, MasterCard and American Express.