The Florida Open

Vertz Wins The Florida Open

Ben Vertz wins the 64th Florida Open Championship shooting a tournament total of 4-under par 210 at the Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club in Palm Harbor, on July 16-18.

Ben Vertz, of Coral Springs, outlasted the field of 156 players to capture the 64th Florida Open Championship.  Vertz fired an opening round 3-over par 75 on the Island course to trail the first round leader by five strokes. Vertz came out firing in the second round on the Copperhead course with a two-under par 33 on the front nine, which included two birdies and no bogeys. Vertz continued his solid play on the back nine carding a three-under par 33 for a round of 5-under par 66.  Vertz would take a two shot lead going into the final day of the championship at Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club playing at 7,255 yards.

In the final round, Vertz started out with a bogey on the second hole, and then rattled off six straight pars before coming to the par 4 ninth hole. Vertz closed out his front nine with a birdie on the ninth hole to turn at even par 36. Vertz stated “After my bogey on number two I really refocused on what I was doing out there, and making birdie on nine really jumpstarted my round".  Vertz played a solid round of golf on the back nine firing a two-under par 33 for a final round two-under par 69. Vertz concluded his round by making a 35 foot birdie putt on the final hole to capture the championship.  “This is the biggest victory of my career, and this is an incredible feeling.  This victory is even sweeter after what happened to me at the Amateur” said Vertz.  Two weeks ago Vertz finished tied for fifth at the 93rd Florida State Amateur Championship at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge and he currently is a member of the Nova Southeastern Golf team.

Tyler McCumber, of Ponte Vedra Beach, finished in second place for the second straight year three strokes back of Vertz with a tournament total of one-under par 213. McCumber carded a 2-under par 69 on the Copperhead in the final round highlighted by his four-under par 31 on the back nine that included four birdies and no bogeys.  Andrew Pressentin, of Bonita Springs finished alone in third place by firing a final round two-under par 69, for a tournament total of even par 214. Richard Terga, of Palm Beach Gardens who is the PGA Professional at The Breakers Ocean Course finished in fourth place posting a final round one-under par 70, and was the low Professional in the championship taking home $12,000 with his fourth place finish. 

Round Two Story

Round One Story

Entries Close Wednesday June 16, 2010

The 2010 Florida Open will be held July 16-18 at the Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club in Palm Harbor. Florida Professionals and Amateurs can qualify for the Championship through local qualifiers.  Exemptions are available through State Amateur Championships & PGA Section Events.

CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT

Fifty-four holes of individual stroke play. The field will be cut to the low sixty and ties after thirty-six holes. The lowest score for 54 holes will be the Champion. If necessary, there will be a three hole aggregate score play-off for champion.

LOCAL QUALIFYING

18 holes stroke play at 16 sites. 

TRANSFERRING QUALIFYING SITES

Players may submit one entry for the Florida Open and choose the site at which they will attempt to qualify.  However, if any site requires adjustment (including , but not limited to, the receipt of more entries than can be accommodated), players will be transferred to another site based on their preference listed on the entry application ad date of receipt of entry application (i.e. later applicants will be subject to transfer).

ELIGIBILITY

Open to Florida Golf Professionals and Amateurs who are residents of Florida. See Eligibility and Rules page for complete details.

ESTIMATED PURSE

$75,000 (see estimated purse pay-out Click here)  1st Place - $12,000

ENTRY FEES

Players who advance to the Championship through local qualifying must pre-register and remit the appropriate Championship Fee online at www.fsga.org. Payment must be received by Monday, July 12 by 12:00 PM or the individual will be withdrawn from the Championship.  Championship fee includes lunch, golf, cart fees and range balls for all competitive rounds plus a player badge and tee gift.

EXEMPT PLAYER'S FEE

$300 for Professionals, and $200 for Amateurs. Exempt Fee includes Championship Fee and Entry Fee for those individuals eligible for exemption. Click here for a list of Exempt Players.

DEFENDING CHAMPION

Tommy Murray (a), of Orange Park, won the Florida Open Championship shooting a 68-65-73--206 at Quail Valley Golf Club and John's Island West in Vero Beach.   

CART AND CADDIE POLICY

Qualifying Round

Players have the option of walking or they may rent a cart.  Only a player or his caddie may ride in a cart but not both at the same time unless an open seat is available.  (Cart fees at qualifying site not to exceed $25 per player)

Championship Rounds

Cart fees are included in the Championship Fee for all competitive rounds of the Championship.  Players may ride, carry their bag or have a caddie at the Championship, however no refunds will be given for unused cart fees and players choosing to walk must adhere to the established FSGA Pace of Play Policy.

Practice Rounds - Cart fees, if charged, are the responsibility of the player.  

CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION

All players play eighteen holes each on the Copperhead course and the Island course on Friday, July 16th and Saturday, July 17th. The field will be cut to the low sixty and ties after thirty-six holes. The final eighteen holes will be played on the Copperhead course.

PLAY-OFF

If necessary, there will be a three hole aggregate score play-off for champion. If the play-off results in a tie, play will immediately continue, hole by hole. It is the player’s responsibility to be present for any playoff.

PRACTICE ROUND AND PRACTICE FACILITY INFORMATION

Practice rounds will be available to the competitors one week in advance or at other dates and times at the clubs discretion.  Practice rounds are restricted until 12:00 PM on the weekend prior to the Championship.  The cost of practice rounds is $30 plus tax. Players will be responsible for direct payment of any fees for the practice rounds. The number to call for practice round times is (727) 942-2000. Players will be allowed to practice after their practice round on Wednesday & Thursday and after each competitive round.  You may not make your practice round tee time before groupings are made. Groupings will be made on Monday, July 12th and faxed to the club that morning. 

ON-SITE REGISTRATION

There will a registration table set up at the Copperhead course to pick up your tee gift and player information the day before the Championship from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.  This is NOT a mandatory registration.  Tee gifts and player information will be available for pick up before the competitive rounds for players not playing a practice round on Wednesday. If we have received your payment for your Championship fees by Monday, July 12 by 12:00 PM you have pre-registered for the Championship. Championship field will receive Lunch and Range Privileges all 3 days.

ALTERNATE PROCEDURES: Click here here for alternate procedures.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club will be the host hotel for The Florida Open. Listed below will be the discounted rates for guests staying with us during The Florida Open

Executive Suites- $99.00

One Bedroom Suites- $129.00

Two Bedroom Suites- $189.00

The above rate is plus 12% tax and $15.00 Resort Fee per night.

DRESS CODE

Proper attire for competitors and caddies is required at all times at the golf facility.  Failure to comply may result in withdrawal of entry.  The dress code prohibits tank tops, T-shirts, denim shorts, jeans and short shorts.  Bottom shorts must be no more than approximately four inches above the knee (as a measuring rule, shorts must come below the fingertips when arms are held to the side). All hats must be worn properly. Collared shirts or shirts specifically designed for golf must be worn and tucked in at all times. This code supplements any course or club guidelines, which shall take precedence.

REFUNDS, NOTICE OF WITHDRAWALS

Requests for entry refunds received prior to entry closing date will be honored (less $20 per entry administrative fee).  Requests received after the closing date will be honored (less 50% of entry fee).  No requests will be honored within 48 hours of the first scheduled tee time.  Requests for refunds or Exempt or Championship fees prior to the pre-registration deadline will be honored (less $20 per entry administrative fee).  No requests will be honored after the pre-registration deadline.

PUBLICITY AND PROMOTION; BROADCASTING

By participating in FSGA Events you grant the FSGA and those acting with the FSGA, permission, authority and the permanent rights to use your name or likeness for publicity and promotional purposes.  Participants understand that all Media, including film, photographic prints, audio or digital files are the exclusive property of the FSGA.  Participants in FSGA events waive their rights to inspect or approve all media produced by the FSGA and those acting on the FSGA's behalf.  Participants waive their permanent rights to compensation for use of their name and likeness by the FSGA. 

METHOD OF PAYMENTS

Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club accepts cash, Visa/MasterCard and American Express for payment.

DIRECTIONS
Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club

36750 U.S. Highway 19 North

Palm Harbor, FL 34684-1239

(727) 942-2000