Amateur Public Links Championship

Shuart Captures Amateur Public Links

TJ Shuart posts a tournament total of seven-under par 209 to win the Amateur Public Links Championship at Southern Dunes Golf & Country Club in Haines City, on June 6-8.

TJ Shuart, of Coral Springs got off to a solid start in the first round, posting a one-under par 71 to sit behind the first round leader, Jamey Salmon, of Jacksonville by only three shots. Shuart continued his sold play in the second round carding a four-under par 68 to take a one stroke lead heading into the final round of play. In the final round Shuart would turn at even par 36 after a roller coaster front nine which included three birdies, a bogey and a double bogey. With several past FSGA Champions lurking close behind, Shuart would hit the accelerator on the back nine making birdies on 12, 14 and 15 to go along with only one bogey to cap off his round of two-under par 70. With his victory, Shuart has now won the Public Links Championship in two of the past three years.

Don Bell, of Port Orange continued his great play in 2014 to finish alone in second place after rounds of 69-71-70. Bell recently captured the Mid-Amateur Stroke Play Championship in early May. Daniel Debra, of Lutz would take home third place honors after rounds of 69-71-71. Three players finished tied for fourth place including the 2006 Amateur Public Links Champion and reigning FSGA Amateur Player of the Year, Jon Veneziano, of Mount Dora.

The Amateur Public Links Championship is open to bona fide public course players who are not members of a private club and also do not have a handicap index any higher than 6.4. Competitors play 18 holes of stroke play on each of the three days.

Full Story

Entries Close Wednesday, May 21, 2014

$235 per competitor ($225 with GHIN handicap)

**Mandatory** read the eligibility Questions below prior to entering to verify you are eligible.

The Amateur Public Links Championship is always a highly competitive event with a list of very successful champions.  The format is as simple as it gets - 54 holes of stroke play with no cut, so if nothing else you are guaranteed three rounds of golf! For a look at the 2013 Championship Results click here.

Eligibility

Male amateurs must be bona fide public course players, since January 1, 2014, and have not held privileges at any course that does not extend playing privileges to the general public, or privileges at any private club maintaining its own course. 

A bona fide public course player may hold incidental privileges at a course not open to the public when such privileges are provided by: an educational institution at which he/she attends,  a federal armed service at which he/she is a member, or an industry by which he/she is employed.

If you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions, you are NOT ELIGIBLE for this year's FSGA Public Links Championship:

1. Private Club Access - Have you had privileges at a private club (not open to the public) at anytime during the current year (since January 1st)?
2. Social Memberships - Do you maintain a social membership at a private club that allows you to play the course sometime during the year?
3. Dependents of Members - Does your spouse or parent/guardian belong to a private course and as a result you are allowed to play the course without a guest fee?
4. Golf Course Employees - Have you been an employee of a private course during the year, where you are allowed to play golf more than one day per week?
5. Resort Courses - Do you have a membership at a resort that restricts which days resort guests can play?
6. Golf Team Members - As a member of a scholastic golf team, are you allowed to play a private course not owned by the school at times other than your regular golf season including playoffs and championships?

Permitted Exceptions:

• Military Courses - A player, because of his military service may hold privileges at a facility from which the general public is excluded.

• County and City Courses - A player may be a member at a course open to county or city residents even if it is closed to nonresidents.

• Handicap - There is no restriction where a player maintains his handicap. (This is the one exception that the FSGA allows that is not permitted for the USGA Public Links Championship).

The FSGA follows USGA guidelines for the Public Links Championship except for the handicap rule. See the USGA website for eligibility guidelines. Players must be a member of the FSGA.

Championship Format

• 54 holes of individual stroke play
• 84 player field size

Entry Fee

• $225 Active FSGA/GHIN handicap or Foundation Member
  
• $235 Non active FSGA/GHIN handicap

Late entries will be accepted subject to a $10 late entry fee should the entrant gain acceptance into the field

Handicap Limit

• Must have a handicap no higher than 6.4

Course Set-Up

Schedule of Events

Friday, June 6th

•  7:30 AM - 9:36 AM - Round One tee times off of #1 and #10

Saturday, June 7th

• 7:30 AM - 9:36 AM - Round Two tee times off of #1 and #10

Sunday, June 8th

• 7:30 AM - 9:36 AM - Final Round tee times off of #1 and #10
• Awards ceremony immediately following the completion of play

Practice 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 (863) 421-4653 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 Champion

Nick Brothers, of Crystal River, fired 65-73-70--208 before defeating Edward Figueroa in a sudden death playoff to win the Championship.

Exemptions Earned from this Tournament

Winner

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

Other Policies

• Spectators and Spectator Cart Policy - Click here.
• Caddies - If a player employs a caddie, the caddie MUST walk and player's clubs must remain on the golf cart.
• Championship Pace of Play Policy - Click here.
• Local Rules and Conditions 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.

Accommodations

Please click the View Hotels tab in the Tournament Links section for hotels in the Haines City area.

Payment

Southern Dunes Golf & Country Club accepts cash and Visa/MasterCard for method of payment.

Directions

Southern Dunes Golf & Country Club
2888 Southern Dunes Blvd
Haines City, Florida 33844
(863) 421-4653

Click here for directions