Mid-Amateur Championship

Konkus Wins Mid-Amateur Title

Ryan Konkus, of Hobe Sound, won his final match on the 18th hole to be crowned the 2003 Florida State Mid-Amateur Champion. Emerald Dunes Golf Course in West Palm Beach hosted the Championship on October 2-5.

The final match featured Konkus versus Peter Dachisen, of Wesley Chapel. Dachisen jumped out to an early lead after going 2 up after three holes. Konkus, who is a three-time Palm Beach County Golf Association Mid-Amateur Champion, sank a 50 foot birdie putt on hole #4 to go 1 down. Dachisen remained 1 up as both competitors made birdie on the 199 yard, par 3, 8th hole. Konkus won hole #12 to square the match and went 1 up after hole #14. He was then 2 up after hole #16 with only two holes to play. Dachisen made birdie on hole #17 to be only one down going into the 18th hole. Konkus saved par with an excellent bunker shot six inches from the hole as Dachisen missed a chip-in for birdie to square the match resulting in Konkus defeating Dachisen 1 up.

In the semifinals Konkus defeated Mark Leetzow, of Sarasota, 2 and 1. Konkus beat two past Florida State Mid-Amateur Champions in this event, David Anthony, the 2002 Champion and Leetzow, the 1998 Mid-Amateur Champion. In the other semifinal match, Dachisen defeated Michael Nealy, of Boca Raton, 2 and 1. Nealy was the medalist after the stroke play qualifying rounds the first two days of the Championship. All semifinalists receive exempt status into next year’s Florida State Mid-Amateur Championship.

This unique Tom Fazio signature course has been touted as one of the most enjoyable and playable courses to come along in years. In 1996, “Golf Digest” included Emerald Dunes in the “Top 10 You Can Play” in Florida and “Golf Magazine” included it in the “Top 100 You Can Play” in America.

ELIGIBILITY

Must be age 25 or older as of October 2, 2003 and be a member of the FSGA.

ENTRY FEE

$90. ($80 for online entry.) Those individuals who advance to the Championship, including exempt players, must pre-register and remit $55 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 Payment must be received by Monday, September 29, or the individual will be withdrawn from the Championship.

EXEMPTIONS

The following are exempt to the championship:

• 2002 Mid-Amateur semifinalists
• 2003 Match Play champion
• 2003 State Amateur champion
• 2003 Mid-Senior Champion
• Past five Mid-Amateur champions

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

QUALIFYING FORMAT

18 hole stroke play at 8 sites.

CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT

Thursday - 18 holes stroke play.

Friday - 18 holes of stroke play to identify the low 16 for match play. (The low 16 will have the lowest 36-hole scores)

Match play begins Saturday morning with the final match on Sunday afternoon.

CARTS

During qualifying, each player must rent and use a golf cart. Caddies are acceptable, but he/she may not ride in a golf cart or carry their clubs. Players are responsible for cart fees for all practice rounds. Those individuals who advance to the Championship, including exempt players, must pre-register and remit a Championship fee which includes cart fees for all competitive rounds.

DEFENDING CHAMPION

David Anthony, Jacksonville, defeated Ken Moody, Ponte Vedra Beach, 1 up, to claim the title at the Country Club of Ocala.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Arrangements have been made at the Hampton Inn at Emerald Dunes Golf Course and the Palm Beach Gardens Hampton Inn for $89 per night. The reservation deadline is September 14. Call (561) 682-9990 for the Hampton Inn at Emerald Dunes Golf Course or (561) 625-8880 for the Palm Beach Gardens Hampton Inn and identify yourself as an FSGA competitor for reservations.