Forty & Over Championship

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Abbie Valentine raised the trophy at the Forty & Over Championship on Sunday on the Whispering Oak Course at Verandah Club. 

The Forty & Over Championship consisted of a 130-player field with a 36-hole cut to the low 60 players and ties. This championship was spread out over two golf courses. The players played one round at River Hall Country Club and one round at the Whispering Oak Course at Verandah before the cut. The final round was played at Verandah. Players were tested at both courses, each course donning a scoring average of 76.

Abbie Valentine reigned victorious as the 54th Forty & Over champion. Valentine carded a tournament total of 202 (-14), with scores of 68-67-67. Valentine’s three rounds were nothing short of impressive. He fired a bogey-free 68 in the first round, and then birdied the last five holes of the second round to shoot a back nine total of 30 and sit tied for second heading into the final round.

Valentine made the turn at only one shot back from Thad Hudgens. Valentine then proceeded to go on another five-hole birdie streak to shoot a final round score of 67, and win the tournament by two strokes over Thad Hudgens.

Hudgens finished in second place with a tournament total of 204 (-12), delivering some remarkable rounds as well. He held the lead after the first two rounds after shooting rounds of 65-68. Hudgens carded 19 birdies over 54-holes. He finished in style with a birdie on his final hole.

The 18th hole at Whispering Oak is a 560 yard par-5. Hudgens entered that hole at three shots back and played aggressively. He hit a long drive down the middle of the fairway and then striped a 3-wood to hit the green in two and give himself a chance at an eagle. Hudgens narrowly missed his eagle putt and finished with a birdie and secured a solo second place by three shots.  

Valentine outlasted the field as the only player with three consecutive rounds in the 60s. He birdied seven of his last ten holes on Saturday and five of his final eight holes on Sunday to raise the well-deserved trophy.

Championship Format

• 54 holes of individual gross stroke play
• Maximum Field Size - 156 players
• All players play 18 holes on each the Verandah Club and River Hall Country Club before the 36-hole cut
• The field is split between the two courses for round one and switch courses for round two
• The field is cut to the low 60 and ties after 36 holes
• The final 18 holes will be played at the Verandah Club

If necessary, there will be a hole-by-hole "sudden death" play-off for the Championship. It is the player's responsibility to be present for any playoff.

Eligibility

• FSGA Adult member; age 40 and over by the first day of the championship
• Male amateur golfer with valid Florida GHIN Handicap Index not exceeding 10.0

Entry Fees

• $210
• Late entries are subject to a $10 late entry fee should the entrant gain acceptance into the field.

Schedule of Events

Friday, August 26th

• 7:15 AM - 8:30 AM - Player registration at each golf course
• 8:30 AM - Shotgun at the Verandah Club - Whispering Oak Course
• 7:30 AM - 9:27 AM - Round one tee times off of #1 and #10 at River Hall Country Club

Saturday, August 27th

• 8:30 AM - Shotgun at the Verandah Club - Whispering Oak Course
• 7:30 AM - 9:27 AM - Round two tee times off of #1 and #10 at River Hall Country Club
• After the completion of play, the field will be cut to low 60 players and ties

Sunday, August 28th

• 8:30 AM - Final round shotgun at Verandah Club - Whispering Oak
• Complimentary player's lunch following final round
• Awards ceremony immediately following the completion of play

Course Set-Up

The golf courses will be set-up at approximately 6,500 - 6,800 yards.

Defending Champion

Joe Alfieri, of Lutz, won the 2021 Forty & Over Championship with rounds of 72-67-71--210 to win by two strokes.  Alfieri started the final round two shots back but posted one of only three under par rounds on Sunday to come from behind and capture the second Forty & Over Championship of his career.

Click here for previous year's results 

Carts

Each player must use a golf cart during Championship rounds.  

Practice Rounds

Practice rounds are available one week prior to the Championship on a space available basis and after 12:00 PM the weekend prior. The cost of the practice round, including range balls and cart, is $35 + tax. Please call Verandah Club at 239-694-4229 and River Hall Country Club at 239-313-4653 to arrange a practice round time.

Exemptions Earned from this Tournament

 Winner

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

Top thirty and tied finishers

• Next year's Senior Amateur Championship

Other Policies

• Spectators and Spectator Cart Policy -  Click here.
• Caddies - Caddies are allowed in all FSGA Championships except Junior events. However, a player must not use a parent, step-parent or guardian as a caddie. The caddie MUST walk and the player MUST ride, with the player's clubs remaining on the golf cart. - Click here
• Championship Pace of Play Policy - Click here.
• Local Rules and Terms of the 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.

Host Hotel

Courtyard Fort Myers at I-75 and Gulf Coast Town Center
10050 Gulf Center Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33913
(239) 332-4747

Booking Details:

• 1 King, Sofa Bed - $109 per night + tax
• 2 Queen - $109 per night + tax

Booking Deadline: Monday, July 25th

Click here to book online

Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers Airport/FGCU

16410 Corporate Commerce Way
Fort Myers, FL 33913
(239) 790-3500

Booking Details

• 1 King Bed - $99 per night + tax

Booking Deadline: Monday, August 15

Click here to book online

Homewood Suites by Hilton Fort Myers Airport/FGCU

16450 Corporate Commerce Way 
Fort Myers, FL 33913
(239) 210-7300

Booking Details

• 1 King Bed 1 Bedroom Suite - $99 per night + tax

Booking Deadline: Monday August 15

Click here to book online

Payment

Verandah Club and River Hall CC accept all major credit cards as method of payment. No cash.

Directions

Verandah Club
12211 River Village Way
Fort Myers, FL 33905
(239) 694-4229
Click here for directions.

River Hall Country Club
3500 River Hall Parkway
Alva, FL 33920
(239) 313-4653
Click here for directions.