Amateur Match Play Championship

Johnson Wins Match Play Championship

David Johnson defeated Carlos Velez in the final match to win the Florida State Amateur Match Play Championship at Quail Valley Golf Club in Vero Beach on August 7-10.   

In the finals, David Johnson, of Palm Bay, secured the title on the 17th hole beating Carlos Velez, from Miami, 2 and 1. After nine holes, Johnson and Velez were all square heading to the back nine. On the 10th hole, Johnson, a senior golfer at the University of Central Florida, jumped in front making birdie to go 1 up. Velez brought the match back to all square with a birdie on 11. On the par 3 12th hole, Johnson took the lead again making par. Johnson then birdied the 14th hole to go 2 up and increased his lead to 3 draining a 12 foot birdie putt on 15. On 16, Velez made a birdie putt from off the green to extend the match. On the 17th hole, Johnson closed out the match sinking a 25 foot birdie putt to win 2 and 1. “It feels great to win,” said Johnson. With a 3rd place finish at the State Amateur and a semifinal finish in the US Amateur Public Links, Johnson said, “I’ve been waiting for this win.”  

En route to the finals, Johnson and Velez each won five matches to meet Sunday afternoon. “I played well all week,” said Johnson. “My ball striking was really good and my putter caught up in the end.” Johnson, who earned the 7th seed after posting a 67 in the seeding round, defeated the 2005 Match Play Champion Kelly Gosse, from Inverness, 4 and 3 in the first round. Johnson continued on winning his Round of 32 match 3 and 2 to face two-time Public Links Champion Kevin Aylwin, from New Smyrna Beach, in the Round of 16. Johnson defeated Aylwin 3 and 2 for his spot in the quarters. Playing Chris Piumelli, from Vero Beach, Johnson won 1 up to advance to the semifinals. On Sunday morning, Johnson faced 3rd seed Thomas Murray, from Orange Park, the highest seed remaining in the field, and beat Murray 4 and 3 to face Velez in the final match. Johnson was under par in all of his matches. “The course was in perfect condition,” said Johnson. “The whole week was a lot of fun.”  

Quarterfinals Story

Round of 64 Story

Seeding Round Story

Founded by Tom Fazio and Nick Price, Quail Valley was sculpted with elevations ranging from 30 to 40 feet. Abundant wildlife and wide-open spaces are another unique feature at Quail Valley.

ELIGIBILITY:  Must be a member of the FSGA.

ENTRY FEE:  $65 ($75 - members who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap). Those individuals who advance to the Championship through qualifying must pre-register and remit an additional $125 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 Thursday, July 31 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: $160 ($170 - 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)

ENTRIES CLOSE:  Wednesday, June 11

EXEMPTIONS:  Players in the following categories will be eligible for exemption from the seeding round and will be directly placed into the Championship flight provided they meet all entry and eligibility requirements.  

• Previous three year’s Amateur Match Play Champions
• Last year’s Amateur Match Play semifinalists
• Previous three year’s Amateur Champions
• Current year’s top five & tied Amateur Championship finishers
• Previous three year’s Mid-Amateur Champions
• Last year’s Mid-Amateur Championship semifinalists
• Current year’s Junior Amateur Match Play Champion (16-18 age division)
• Last year’s Mid-Senior Champion
• Current year’s Amateur Public Links Champion
• Current year’s Junior Amateur Champion (16-18 age division)

HANDICAPS:  No higher than 11.4.

QUALIFYING:  18 holes stroke play at 6 sites.

CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT AND SEEDING:  18 holes of individual stroke play on Thursday to determine seeds in round of 64. Ties for seeds will be broken randomly. Single elimination round of 64 match play will begin on Friday morning. The round of 32 is scheduled to begin that afternoon. The round of 16 will be played on Saturday morning followed by the quarter-finals that afternoon.   The semi-finals will be played on Sunday morning and the finals will be played on Sunday afternoon.

SPECTATORS AND CADDIES: Spectators are always welcome at FSGA Championships. Spectators are allowed to ride in a cart. Click here for spectator policies.

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.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Click on the link for hotels in the Vero Beach area.  Then click on the hotel icon.  The FSGA does not have a host hotel. Click here

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.

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

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Raj Nahal defeated Chris Kennedy 1 up in the final match to win the at Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach.