Senior Amateur Championship

Bill Zylstra Wins Senior Championship

James Byer Wins Super Senior Championship

Bill Zylstra prevailed in a play-off to win the 2010 Senior Amateur Championship as James Byer captured the Super Senior Division at Southern Hills Plantation Golf Club in Brooksville on April 13-15. 

Battling tough winds the entire week, Bill Zylstra, from Ocklawaha, the number one ranked Senior in the United States, won his first Florida State Senior Amateur Championship in a one hole playoff recording a tournament total of two-under par 214. After rounds of 73-69, Zylstra trailed the leader by two strokes heading into the final round. In the final round, Zylstra started strong making two birdies on the front nine en route to carding a 34. Heading to the 18th hole, Zylstra was tied for the lead with Pat Vincelli, of Stuart. Both players missed the green and had difficult up and downs. Vincelli’s putt on the 18th hole just grazed the edge and he tapped in for bogey, and Zylstra failed to get up and down. Both players would go to a sudden death play-off on the 18th hole. After both players missed the green, Zylstra hit his chip shot to five feet to have an uphill putt as Vincelli hit his chip shot to eight feet. After Vincelli missed his putt, Zylstra made his putt for the victory. Zylstra said, “I have won many tournaments but this is my first Florida Senior Championship and it is very special to me.” Pat Vincelli, from Stuart, finished in second place after losing in the play-off.  Vincelli carded rounds of 69-72-73. Kim Schwencke, from Temple Terrace, finished alone in third place with a tournament total of 216.

In the Super Senior Division, James Byer, from Lantana, captured the title with a tournament total of 218 for the three days. Byer shot rounds of 71-73 to share the lead heading into the final round. Starting on the 10th hole in the final round, Byer played solid carding an even par 36 on the front nine with one birdie and one bogey. On the front, Byer struggled on his first four holes by going four over par; after making birdie on the fifth hole, Byer birdied the seventh hole and finished with two pars to capture the title by two strokes. This is Byer’s first Super Senior Championship. Second round co-leader and Defending Champion Brian Sachs, from Newberry, tied for second place with Robert Martin, of Fort Lauderdale, with a tournament total of 220. Sachs carded rounds of 72-72-76, while Martin carded rounds 71-78-71.

Since the number of entries received has always surpassed the capacity of the Championship, a qualifying stage was instituted in 2005. While 50 players earned exempt status through a variety of different means, more than 360 participants attempted to qualify at one of eight sites across the state, as competitors played 18 holes of stroke play hoping to advance to the Championship. Participants must be 55 or older to participate in the Championship and enter one of the age divisions, 55-64 and 65 & over. Players who advanced to the Championship compete in 54 holes of stroke play with a cut after 36 holes.

Entries Close Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Southern Hills Plantation Golf Club, a private Pete Dye course in the Tampa area, features elevations of 60' to nearly 250' and yardages from 5,205 to 7,557.

CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT

54 holes of individual stroke play. Competition will consist of the Senior Division (age 55 and over) and the Super Senior Division (ages 65 and over).  The field will be cut after the second round in both divisions (Approximately one half of each division).  The lowest score for 54 holes will be the Champion in each division. There will be a hole by hole play-off immediately following play in event of a tie for first place only in each division. It is the player's responsibility to be present for any playoff. Initial groupings will be for two days; the field will be re-paired by score after the second round.  Round three tee times will start at 8:00 AM off of the first & tenth tees.

ELIGIBILITY

Must be age 55 or older as of April 13, 2010, and be a member of the FSGA.

AGE DIVISIONS

55-64 (Senior), 65 and over (Super-Senior). All players will be placed in the age division commensurate with their age as of the first day of the Championship. No player may play in both age divisions. (Any Super-Senior wishing to compete in the Senior division must notify the FSGA upon entry.)

ENTRY FEE

Qualifying Fee: $65 ($75 - members who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap). Qualifying Fee includes Entry Fee and cart fee. Those individuals who advance to the Championship through qualifying must pre-register and remit an additional $200 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 Wednesday, April 7 by 3:30 pm, or the individual will be withdrawn from the Championship. Championship Fee includes cart fees for all competitive rounds.

EXEMPT PLAYER'S FEE

$220 ($230 - members who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap). Exempt Fee includes Championship Fee and Entry Fee for those individuals eligible for exemption. (See below) QUALIFYING 18 holes of stroke play at 8 sites.  Cart fees are included in your qualifying fee.  Qualifying Sites - Click here

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS

Steve Earsley, of Hobe Sound, posted a 72-72-75--219 for the Regular division title while Brian Sachs, of Newberry, shot a 78-76-71--225 at Black Diamond Ranch for the Super Senior division title.

PRACTICE ROUND CART FEES

Players are responsible for practice round cart fees at qualifying sites and at the Championship Proper.

EXEMPTIONS

Players in the following categories will be eligible for exemption provided they meet all entry and eligibility requirements.

The following exemptions earned are applicable to either the senior (55-64) or super senior (65 & over) age divisions (provided age requirements are met):

• Last ten year's Senior Amateur Championship senior (55-64) age division Champions

• Top 30 & tied from last year's Senior Amateur Championship senior (55-64) age division

• Last three year's Senior Amateur Match Play Championship senior (55-64) age division Champions

• Player finishing runner-up in last year's Senior Amateur Match Play Championship senior (55-64) age division

• Top 10 & tied from last year's Senior Player of the Year final point standings

• Top 10 & tied from the Winter Series senior (55-64) age division current points list as of the close of entries

• Winners of the current year's Winter Series season senior (55-64) age division individual events

• Points Champion of last year's Winter Series senior (55-64) age division points list

• Players finishing in the top 30 & tied of last year's Mid-Senior Championship

• Players making match play at last year's Mid-Amateur Championship

• Players qualifying for any one of last year's USGA National Championships

The following exemptions earned are applicable only to the super-senior (65 & over) age division (provided age requirements are met):

• Previous winners of the Senior Amateur Championship senior (55-64) age division or super-senior (65 & over) age divisions

• Top 5 & tied from last year's Senior Amateur Championship super-senior (65 & over) age division

• Last three year's Senior Amateur Match Play Championship super-senior (65 & over) age division

• Champions Player finishing runner-up in last year's Senior Amateur Match Play Championship super-senior (65 & over) age division

• Top 5 & tied from the Winter Series super-senior (65 & over) age division current points list as of the close of entries

• Winners of the current year's season super-senior (65 & over) age division individual Winter Series events

• Points Champion of last year's Winter Series super-senior (65 & over) age division points list

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.

ON-SITE REGISTRATION

There will be a registration table set up from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at Southern Hills Plantation Golf Club to pick up your tee gift and player information the day before the Championship.  This is NOT a mandatory registration.  Tee gifts and additional player information will be available for pick up before the competitive rounds for players not playing a practice round on Monday. If we have received your payment for your Championship Fee by Wednesday, April 7th you have pre-registered for the Championship.

PRACTICE ROUND - CHAMPIONSHIP

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 $35.00 + tax.  Please call (352) 277-5000 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.

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.

ALTERNATE PROCEDURES: Click here here for information on how alternates may gain entry into either qualifying for the Championship or into the Championship proper.

PAYMENT

Southern Hills Plantation Golf Club accepts Cash, Visa/MasterCard & American Express as payment.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Please click the hotel icon for hotels in the Brooksville area.