Senior Amateur Championship

Miller Wins Senior Championship

Dorece Secures Super Senior Division

Tim Miller edged out the field by one stroke to win the 2008 Senior Amateur Championship as Bill Dorece captured the Super Senior Division at Old Corkscrew Golf Club in Estero on April 15-17.  

Battling tough winds on this challenging Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, Tim Miller, from Venice, won his first Florida State Senior Amateur Championship by one stroke recording a tournament total of 232. After rounds of 80-77, Miller trailed the leader by one stroke heading into the final round. On the last day, Miller started strong making four birdies on the front nine en route to carding a 34. “I made some really nice putts on the front,” said Miller. “I made a couple when I really needed to.” Heading to the 18th hole, Miller had a one stroke advantage. “I just played it safe on 18 and chipped the ball short and two-putted,” said Miller. Miller finished with a 41 on the back nine and 75 for the day to secure the title. “This is really special,” said Miller, a two-time Indiana Senior Champion. “I have won a few things but this is my first Florida Senior Championship.” Bill O’Keefe, from Fort Lauderdale, jumped into second place after firing a final round 73. O’Keefe recorded rounds of 83-77 the first two days to finish at 233. In third place, Joe Records, from Naples, posted consistent scores of 79-78-77—234.

In the Super Senior Division, Bill Dorece, from Pompano Beach, captured the title shooting a 234 for the three days. Dorece shot a pair of 79’s the first two rounds to sit one back from the leaders heading into the final round. Starting on #10 in the final round, Dorece made three birdies to make the turn at 1-under 35. On the front, Dorece parred the first four holes and held onto the lead with a 41 to finish at 76. “A 74 was my target score for the round,” said Dorece. “I thought I may have missed by a stroke but my 76 was enough.” Playing in his first ever Florida Senior Championship, Dorece just started playing golf again last November after having a back injury. Second round co-leader Stuart Young, from Fort Myers, took second place two strokes back from Dorece. Young shot an 83-74-79—236. Ray Darmstadt, from Cocoa Beach, led the division after the first round shooting a 74 and posted an 84-80 in the final two rounds to place third.  

Old Corkscrew Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, opened in February 2007 and blends perfectly with the natural Florida environment to provide a challenging, enjoyable golf experience for players of all levels.

CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT:  

54 holes of individual stroke play. Competition will consist of the Senior Division (age 55 and over) and the Super Senior Division (ages 65 and over).  The field will be cut after the second round in both divisions. (Approximately one half of each division)   The lowest score for 54 holes will be the Champion in each division. There will be a hole by hole play-off immediately following play in event of a tie for first place only in each division. It is the player’s responsibility to be present for any playoff. Initial groupings will be for two-days; the field will be re-paired by score after the second round.  Round three tee times will start at 8:00 AM off of the first & tenth tees.

ELIGIBILITY:  

Must be age 55 or older as of April 15, 2008, and be a member of the FSGA. Age Divisions: 55-64 (Senior), 65 and over (Super-Senior). All players will be placed in the age division commensurate with their age as of the first day of the Championship. No player may play in both age divisions. (Any Super-Senior wishing to compete in the Senior division must notify the FSGA upon entry.)

ENTRY FEE:  

Qualifying Fee: $65 ($75 - members who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap). Qualifying Fee includes Entry Fee and cart fee. Those individuals who advance to the Championship through qualifying must pre-register and remit an additional $200 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 Wednesday, April 9 by 3:30 pm, or the individual will be withdrawn from the Championship. Championship Fee includes cart fees for all competitive rounds.

EXEMPT PLAYER'S FEE:

$220 ($230 - members who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap). Exempt Fee includes Championship Fee and Entry Fee for those individuals eligible for exemption. (See below)

ENTRIES CLOSE:  

Wednesday, February 27

EXEMPTIONS:  

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

The following exemptions earned are applicable to either the senior (55-64) or super senior (65 & over) age divisions (provided age requirements are met):  

• Previous winners of the Senior Amateur Championship senior (55-64) age division for the last ten years
• Top 30 and tied from last year's Senior Amateur Championship senior (55-64) age division
• Previous winners of the Senior Amateur Match Play Championship senior (55-64) age division for the last three years
• Player finishing runner-up in last year's Senior Amateur Match Play Championship senior (55-64) age division
• Top 10 and tied from last year's Senior Player of the Year final point standings
• Top 10 and tied from the Winter Series senior (55-64) age division current points list as of the close of entries
• Winners of the current year's Winter Series season senior (55-64) age division individual events
• Points Champion of last year's Winter Series senior (55-64) age division points list
• Players finishing in the top 30 and tied of last year's Mid-Senior Championship
• Players making match play at last year's Mid-Amateur Championship
• Players qualifying for any one of last year's USGA National Championships

The following exemptions earned are applicable only to the super-senior (65 & over) age division (provided age requirements are met):  

• Previous winners of the Senior Amateur Championship senior (55-64) or super-senior (65 & over) age divisions
• Top 5 and tied from last year's Senior Amateur Championship super-senior (65 & over) age division
• Previous winners of the Senior Amateur Match Play Championship super-senior (65 & over) age division for the last three years
• Player finishing runner-up in last year's Senior Amateur Match Play Championship super-senior (65 & over) age division
• Top 5 and tied from the Winter Series super-senior (65 & over age division) current points list as of the close of entries
• Winners of the current year's season super-senior (65 & over) age division individual Winter Series events
• Points Champion of last year's Winter Series super-senior (65 & over) age division points list

(An exempt player shall meet all entry requirements and must submit a complete entry prior to deadline.)

QUALIFYING: 

18 holes of stroke play at 6 sites.  Cart fees are included in your qualifying fee.

DIVISIONS: 

Senior (55-64 age divison) and Super-Senior (65 and over age division).

PRACTICE ROUND CART FEES:  

Players are responsible for practice round cart fees at qualifying sites and at the Championship Proper.

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.

ON-SITE REGISTRATION:

There will be a registration table set up from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at the Old Corkscrew Golf Club to pick up your tee gift and player information the day before the Championship.  This is NOT a mandatory registration.  Tee gifts and additional player information will be available for pick up before the competitive rounds for players not playing a practice round on Monday. If we have received your payment for your Championship fees by Wednesday, April 9th you have pre-registered for the Championship.

PRACTICE ROUNDS: 

Players may call to arrange a practice round tee times beginning Tuesday, March 25th.  Practice rounds are available one week prior to the Championship on a space available basis.  On the weekend prior to the Championship, practice rounds are restricted to after 12:00 PM.  The cost of your practice round is $40 plus tax.  Your practice round can be arranged by calling the club at (239) 949-4700.  Alternates are not allowed practice rounds. The place to practice your golf swing is on the driving range.  Hitting multiple balls on the golf course is unacceptable.

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.

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 here for alternate procedures.

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS:  

Rick Woulfe, from Fort Lauderdale, won the Senior division carding a 72-70-77--219 as Terry Louis, from Palm Beach Gardens, posted a 77-73-76—226 for the Super Senior division title at TPC at Eagle Trace.

PAYMENT:

Old Corkscrew Golf Club accepts Cash, Visa/MasterCard & American Express as payment for all meals and other services.

DIRECTIONS TO OLD CORKSCREW

(239) 949-4700  

I-75 – Driving North or South take exit 123.  Travel east on Corkscrew Road and the club is seven miles on the right hand side.  Exit 123 (seven miles East of I-75 – exit 123 – on Corkscrew Road)