North Team Wins Florida Cup Matches and Evens Series
The North team was victorious in the Florida Cup Matches as they defeated the South team by a score of 20 points to 12 points at Avila Golf and Country Club in Tampa. With the North’s win, the series is now tied at two a piece.
After the first day of the Florida Cup Matches, the North team led the South team 10 ½ points to 5 ½ points. In the morning round of four-ball stroke play, the North earned 6 ½ points while the South team gained 1 ½ points. Florida won six of the eight morning matches and finished all square in one match to receive the half a point as did the South team. Last year’s Player-of-the-Year, Rick Woulfe and partner Frank Strafaci were the lone winners of the South team as they defeated North captain Andy Purnell and teammate Steve Carter 2 up. The afternoon round featured foursome matches and finished with both teams receiving four points.
On the final day, participants played 18 holes of singles match play. In the 16 matches, the North won eight of the matches to earn eight points as the South won five matches. Three matches finished all square thus resulting in each team receiving half a point. Andy Purnell, the 2003 State Match Play Champion, defeated Ken Dawson 4 and 2. Richard Maddox, the 2003 State Amateur Champion, also playing for the North, defeated Brent Bush 2 and 1. Ed Craig, of the North team, made five birdies on the back nine to win his match versus Bob Ethridge 1 up. For the South, Frank Strafaci overcame being 4 down to beat Paul Royak 2 up.
The state’s top players will be invited to participate in a
North Florida versus South Florida competition. Held every other year,
the Florida Cup matches pit 16 players from the north against 16 players
from the south in a Ryder Cup-format.
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS 
