75th Florida Open Championship

Arendell Fires Final-Round 63 to Raise Trophy

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Connor Arendell began the day in a tie for tenth and four shots back of the leader. He ended the day by raising the Florida Open trophy and taking home the $15,000 first-place check.

The Fort Myers native fired bogey-free, 9-under 63 on Sunday to capture the 75th Florida Open title. He secured the one-shot victory with a 15-under 200 for the championship.

"It feel great," Arendell said. "I had a great final round today. Everything was on. It was the lowest I could go today, I made just about everything. It just felt good to come from behind like that and win."

After rounds of 67-70 to begin the championship, Arendell didn’t waste any time in the final round. He began the final day with birdies on three of his first four holes to move into a tie for second place. Arendell added two more birdies on the front side to move one shot back of the leader, Jeremy Wells at the time.

Wells also had a hot start to the day and finished the front nine with four birdies. He took the outright lead with a birdie on the par-4 eighth hole and added another on the par-5 10th.

Arendell kept it rolling on the back with two birdies on the 10th and 11th. Arendell’s birdie on the 11th gave him a share of the lead with Wells. He played the next five holes at even par, before adding a key birdie on the 16th. This gave him the solo lead at 14 under, as Wells’ tee shot found water on the 15th.

"I had no clue where I stood," Arendell said. "I just tried to make as many as I could. I had no pressure, I just played the best I could and it all worked out."  

After making it on the green in two, Arendell’s eagle putt just slide by on the 18th and he tapped in for birdie to post a bogey-free 63 in the final round. His 9-under 63 tied the competitive course record on the Long Mean course at Fiddlesticks with Stone Cowie, who posted a second-round 63, and Fletcher Brewbaker who also posted a 63 in the final round.

Arendell headed to the clubhouse with a three-shot lead over the field.

Tyler Strafaci, who began the final round with a one-shot lead, gave it a run the back nine. He birdied the 15th to cut Arendell’s lead to two shots. The 2020 FSGA Player of the Year had a great up-and-down on the 17th to save par. He headed to the final hole needing an eagle to tie it.

After hitting his second shot on the green, Strafaci was left with a 50-foot putt for eagle. The Florida native missed his eagle putt and finished with a birdie. This locked up the championship and the $15,000 first-place check for Arendell.

This is the first FSGA championship win for Arendell, who is a Florida Junior Tour alum and winner. His 15-under 200 for the championship is the second lowest total score in Florida Open history.

Strafaci took home a second-place finish, posting a 14-under 201 and taking home $8,750. Four players finished the championship in a tie for third at 11-under 204: John DuBois (a), David Branshaw, Wells and Jacob Arnett, with the three professional each collecting $4,583. 

Dubois fired a final-round 65 to earn a top-three finish and low-amateur honors. The incoming junior at the University of Florida carded three eagles and three birdies in the final round to capture the honors.

Championship Format

• 54 holes of individual stroke play
• Championship Field - 156 players
• The field will be cut to the low 60 and ties after 36 holes
• The lowest score for 54 holes will be the Champion
• All players will play 18 holes each on the Long Mean Course and Loch Ness Course on Friday, July 16th, and Saturday, July 17th
• The final 18 holes will be played on the Long Mean Course on Sunday, July 18th

Eligibility

• Male amateur and professional golfers
• Florida Resident  (If you have any doubt - please click and review to avoid issues)
• Professionals must have a SSN, EIN, ITIN for tax reporting purposes. This would need to be confirmed before their qualifier, or they will be in-eligible to participate.
• A valid Florida GHIN Handicap Index not exceeding 7.0 at the time of entry (amateurs and amateurs awaiting reinstatement only)
• Entrant is not required to be a member of the FSGA
• PGA class A-3 members are ineligible
• Playing Activity - Players that have competed as a professional in less than (7) "major" tour events or less than (26) "minor tour" events in the 12 months prior to the Championship are eligible
• If you have any questions about your eligibility, it is the player's responsibility to review the guidelines and to contact the FSGA office as needed to ensure eligibility
• Ineligible applicants will not receive refunds  Click here to view FSGA Tournament Policies.

Entry Fees

• Qualifying Fee: Qualifying Fee includes entry fee and course and cart fees, and range balls.
• Championship Fee: Fee paid by those individuals who advance to the Championship through qualifying includes tee gifts, course and cart fees, range balls and lunch for each competitive round.
• Exempt Fee : Exempt Fee includes Championship Fee and Entry Fee for those individuals eligible for exemption.

Entries for qualifying are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the site field is full. Entries are then placed on an alternates list in order of receipt and contacted if, and when, a spot becomes available.

Late entries are subject to a $10 late entry fee should the entrant gain acceptance into the field.

Pre-Registration

Those individuals who advance to the Championship through qualifying must pre-register and remit the appropriate Championship Fee (See Above) online at www.fsga.org under the "My Account" section, which can be located in the top right hand corner of the web-page.  Payment must be received by Friday, July 9 at 3:30 pm or the individual will be withdrawn from the Championship.  Championship fee includes competitive round lunches, golf, cart fees and range balls, player's badge, tee gift.

To Pre-Register:

• Log on to the FSGA website at www.fsga.org using your email address and password
• Click on "My Account" in the upper right hand corner of the homepage
• Under "My Tournaments", click on the "Pre-Register" button to the right of the tournament name
• Enter your credit card information and then click the "Charge My Card" button on the bottom right hand corner of the page

Refunds, Notice of Withdrawals

Qualifying Entry Fees - Requests for qualifying 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 two days of the scheduled start date of the qualifier.

Championship Fees & Exempt Entry Fees - Requests for refunds of 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 (See pre-registration date displayed on this page).

Local Qualifying Purses 

Local Qualifying consists of 18 holes of stroke play at 16 local qualifying sites. A purse for professionals is being introduced at the local qualifiers. The average approximate purse is $1,000 and is determined by the amount of professionals who begin (tee off) at each qualifier. Click here to view the payout schedule.

A player exempt from local qualifying, at the time of entry, may elect to forego the exemption, pay the qualifying fee, and compete in a local qualifier. The election to waive the exemption is irreversible.

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 and date of receipt of entry application (i.e. later applicants will be subject to transfer)

Schedule of Events 

Friday, July 16th

• 8:00 AM - 9:48 AM - Round one tee times off of #1 and #10 on both courses
• Complimentary players' lunch 

Saturday, July 17th

• 8:00 AM - 9:48 AM - Round two tee times off of #1 and #10 on both courses
• Complimentary players' lunch 
• The field will be cut to low 60 players and ties after the completion of play

Sunday, July 18th

• 8:00 AM - 9:39 AM Final round tee times begin off of #1 and #10 on Long Mean Course
• Complimentary players' lunch 
• Awards ceremony immediately following the completion of play 

Course Set-Up

The golf course will be set-up at approximately 7,000 yards.

Purse

$100,000 (see estimated purse pay-out)  1st Place - $15,000

Defending Champion

JC Deacon raised the FL Open trophy for the second time with a 12-under 202 finish and four-stroke victory. Deacon joins the list of only nine other players that have won the FL Open twice. Three under-par rounds of 68-65-69 propelled Deacon to first place at Pine Tree Golf Club. Click here for the previous year's results.

Cart and Caddie Policy

During qualifying and the Championship proper, each player must use a golf cart which is included in the qualifying and Championship entry fees. 

Championship Information

Play-Off

If necessary, there will be a hole-by-hole "sudden death" play-off for Champion. It is the player’s responsibility to be present for any playoff.

Practice Round Information

The cost of the practice round is $35 + tax per round. Players may play one round on each golf course. Practice rounds are available at the following times:

• Tuesday -Thursday - book through Golf Genius Link here.
• The club is closed on Mondays.
• Limited practice rounds are available Friday-Sunday the weekend prior to the event, limited to after 12:00 Noon. Please call 239-768-1114 to arrange your practice round on the weekend prior.
• You may not make your practice round tee time before qualifying is completed. A list of players will be sent to the club following the conclusion of qualifying. 

Practice Before & Between Rounds

A player may not practice on the competition course before or between rounds. Penalty for first breach: General Penalty. Penalty for second breach: Disqualification.

Exemptions Earned from this Tournament

Winner

• Next five Florida Opens

Players finishing in the top ten and tied

• Next year's Florida Open

Low Amateur

• Next year's Mid-Amateur Championship
• Next year's Amateur Championship
• Next year's Amateur Match Play Championship

Amateurs finishing in the top five and tied

• Next year's Amateur Championship

Other Policies

• Spectators and spectator cart policy - Click here
• Caddies - Caddies are allowed in all FSGA Championships except Junior events. The caddie MUST walk and the player's clubs must remain on the golf cart. - Click here
• Championship Pace of Play Policy - Click here.
• Local Rules and Terms of the Competition - Click here.
• Championship Policies - Click here to read the withdrawal, dress code, and other policies.
• Procedures for Alternates - Click here for information on how alternates may gain entry into this Championship.
• Conditions/ Schedule - 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.

Shirt Sponsor

Puma is the official shirt of the Florida Open Championship. 

Host Hotel and Accommodations

The FSGA has arranged rates for the Florida Open Championship.

When Calling in reference "FSGA Room Block" or follow booking links listed below to book online.

Cut-off date to guarantee rates at both hotels is July 1st, 2021!

Hilton Garden Inn - Fort Myers Airport/FGCU

16410 Corporate Commerce Way
Fort Myers, FL 33913
(239) 210-7200

$99 per room, per night: Two Queen Beds Standard Room or One Queen Bed Standard Room

Click here to book Hilton Garden Inn

Courtyard by Marriott - Gulf Coast Town Center

10050 Gulf Center Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33913
(239)-332-4747

$99 per room, per night

Click here to book Courtyard by Marriott

Proper attire for competitors and caddies is required at all times at the golf facility.  Failure to comply may result in withdrawal of entry.

• Golf Shorts are permitted
• 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.

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.

Payment 

Fiddlesticks Country Club accepts Visa, MasterCard, and American Express as forms of payment.

Directions

Fiddlesticks Country Club
15391 Canongate Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33912
239-768-1114

Click here for directions