Senior Amateur Match Play Championship

Hyman Wins Senior Match Play

Tom Hyman defeated Mark Rubin 2 and 1 to win the 4th Senior Amateur Match Play Championship at Delray Dunes Golf & Country Club on June 14-18.

Before starting match play, Tom Hyman, of Tampa, earned the 3rd seed after posting a 71 in the seeding round. Hyman proceeded to win four matches to reserve his spot in the final match. In the Round of 32, Hyman beat Joseph Branconi, of Sarasota, 4 and 3 to face Michael Shiff, from Parkland, in the next round. Hyman beat Shiff 5 and 4 in the Round of 16. In the quarters, Hyman defeated Terry Swartz, of Davie, 2 and 1. In the semifinal, Hyman defeated John Darr, from Gainesville, by forfeit to advance to the final match versus Rubin. Hyman won his fifth and final match defeating Rubin 2 and 1. Hyman got off to a rough start in the Championship match losing the first hole due to a late to the tee penalty and followed that by losing the second hole. Hyman bounced back to play steady golf on the way in to prevail. En route to facing Hyman in the finals, Mark Rubin, beat Norman Swenson, of Boynton Beach 5 and 3 in the Round of 32. Rubin then defeated Rick Luzar, of Melbourne, 2 and 1 in the Round of 16. Rubin, of Miami Beach, won his next match by upsetting top seed and Defending Champion Bruce Scamehorn, of Winter Haven, 1 up in the quarterfinal, and followed that with a battle in the semis with Victor Lohman, of Ormond Beach prevailing in 21 holes. In the Senior Division First Flight, Michael Tiernan, from Delray Beach, defeated Bob Hinkle, of Tallahassee, 1 up.

In the Super Senior Championship Bracket, 3rd seed Edward Craig, of Orlando, beat Tommy Piazza, of Sarasota, 2 and 1 for the division title. Craig defeated Ron LeClair, of Orlando, 4 and 3 in the Round of 16 and then beat Ron Goldburg, of Delray Beach, 1 up in the quarters. Craig continued his run winning his semifinal match 2 and 1 against Jan Blick, of Palm Beach Gardens. Jim Applegate, from Palm City, defeated top seed William Freeman, of Boynton Beach, 4 and 3 to claim the Super Senior First Flight title.

Delray Dunes offers one of the best-conditioned courses in South Florida. A Pete Dye designed course, Delray Dunes first opened in December 1969. Under the guidance of Pete Dye, many improvements have been made to the course including TifEagle greens, TifSport fairways and reconditioned bunkers, new bunkers and new white sand.

ELIGIBILITY:  Must be a member of the FSGA and age 55 years as of June 14, 2009.

ENTRY FEE:  $185 ($195 - members who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap).

ENTRIES CLOSE:  5/20/2009

SEEDING AND CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT :  All players will play an 18 hole stroke play seeding round to determine flights and seeding within each flight. Two flights of 32 each in the Senior division and one flight of 16 in the Super-Senior division. There will be a hole by hole play-off to determine the 32 seed in the Championship flight only all other ties for seeds will be broken randomly.  All players will play one match on Monday morning. Matches will continue each morning. Only the Senior division flights will play Tuesday afternoon. The finals are scheduled for Thursday morning.

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.)

CARTS:  Carts are included for all competitive rounds. Players are responsible for practice round fees.

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.

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 hotel icon, for hotels in the Boynton Beach area.

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.

COURSE SET-UP:  The golf course will be set-up approximately 6400 - 6500 yards (Senior) and 6100 - 6200 (Super Senior).

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

PRACTICE ROUND:  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 $30.00 + tax.  Please call (561) 737-4749 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.

PAYMENT:  Delray Dunes Golf & Country Club will accept cash or check for method of payment.

DIRECTIONS TO DELRAY DUNES GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB: 

(561) 737-4749

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS:  Senior Division: Fred Peel, of Chipley, defeated Bruce Scamehorn, of Winter Haven 3 & 2 for the title while Brian Sachs, of Newberry, defeated Bill Sonntag, of St. Augustine, 4 & 3 for the Super Senior title.