Amateur Public Links Championship

Aylwin Defends Public Links Title

Kevin Aylwin went wire-to-wire to defend his title in the Florida State Public Links Championship at Hunters Creek Golf Club in Orlando on July 18-20.  

Kevin Aylwin, of New Smyrna Beach, played steady golf to post a tournament total of 6-under par 210 to win the 2008 Championship by three strokes. After firing a first round 5-under par 67, Alywin recorded a 73 in the second round to lead by two heading into the final round of play. In the final round, Aylwin made the turn at 34 birdying holes five and eight. On the back nine, Aylwin started with five consecutive pars, birdied 15 and made bogey on 17, his only bogey of the day, to secure his second Public Links Championship. In addition to the 2007 Public Links Championship, Aylwin won last year’s Junior Match Play Championship earning him Junior Player-of-the-Year honors. Most recently, Aylwin advanced to match play in the US Amateur Public Links and won the Two-Man Shoot-Out in May.  

Cameron Knight, from Dade City, jumped into second place after firing a 66 in the final round, the low round of the tournament. Combined with rounds of 75-72, Knight finished with a 213 total. Kyle Cobb, from Tallahassee, took third place shooting a 70 in the first round and a pair of 72’s the final two days.

With Multi-tier tees and rolling fairways, Hunters Creek carves through majestic, towering pines to provide a natural “Carolina Pine” setting among 13 lakes. The course features strategically placed bunkers and bordering expansive undulating TifEagle greens.

ELIGIBILITY:  Competitors must be bona fide public course players, since January 1, 2008 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 (1) an educational institution at which he/she attends, or (2) a federal armed service at which he/she is a member, or (3) an industry by which he/she is employed. The FSGA follows USGA guidelines for the Public Links Championship except for the handicap rule. See the website for guidelines. Players must be a member of the FSGA.

ENTRY FEE:  $225 ($235 - members who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap).

ENTRIES CLOSE:  Wednesday, June 25

HANDICAPS:  No higher than 6.4.

CHAMPIONSHIP:  Fifty-four holes of individual stroke play. The lowest score for 54 holes will be the Champion. There will be a hole by hole play-off immediately following play in event of a tie for the Champion. It is the player’s responsibility to be present for any playoff.

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

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.

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.

COURSE SET-UP:  The golf course will be set-up approximately 6900 - 7000 yards.

ACCOMMODATIONS:  A limited number of rooms are available on a space available basis at the Crown Plaza Orlando-Airport Hotel at the rate of $99 plus tax. Please call the hotel directly at (407) 856-0100 and state the “FL State Golf Assoc” code to receive the special rate. Please click on the link for other hotels in the Orlando area.  Click Here.

REGISTRATION TABLE: There will be a registration table set up in front of the pro shop. All contestants are requested to check in.

PRACTICE ROUND: 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 your practice round is $30.00 + tax.  Please call (407) 240-4653 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.

PAYMENT:  Hunter's Creek Golf Club will accept cash and Visa/MasterCard.

DIRECTIONS TO HUNTER'S CREEK GOLF CLUB:

Directions from Interstate-4

Travel to the 528 Beachline Expressway East. Take 528 East to John Young Parkway South. Go south on John Young Parkway and travel approximately 4 miles to Hunter's Creek Boulevard. Turn left on Hunter's Creek Boulevard and travel ¼ mile. Entrance on left hand side.

Directions from Walt Disney World Resort Area (12-17 minutes)

Take the 417 Expressway North to the John Young Parkway exit. Go south on John Young Parkway and travel approximately 1 mile to Hunter's Creek Boulevard. Turn left on Hunter's Creek Boulevard and travel ¼ mile. Entrance on left hand side.

Directions from Orange County Convention Center (12-17 minutes)

Take 528 Beachline Expressway East to John Young Parkway South. Go south on John Young Parkway and travel approximately 4 miles to Hunter's Creek Boulevard. Turn left on Hunter's Creek Boulevard and travel ¼ mile. Entrance on left hand side.

Directions from Orlando International Airport (10-15 minutes)

Take the 417 Expressway South to the John Young Parkway exit. Go south on John Young Parkway and travel approximately 1 mile to Hunter's Creek Boulevard. Turn left on Hunter's Creek Blvd and travel ¼ mile. Entrance on left hand side.

Estimated Driving Times:

Orlando International Airport (10-15 minutes)

Walt Disney World Resorts (12-17 minutes)

Orange County Convention Center (12-17 minutes)

Universal Orlando Resort (18-23 minutes)

DEFENDING CHAMPION:  Kevin Aylwin, from New Smyrna Beach, shot a 68-70-71--209 to win the title at Eagle Creek Golf Club.