Senior Four-Ball Championship

Ethridge and Woulfe Victorious

The team of Bob Ethridge and Rick Woulfe came from one-stroke back to capture the 35th Senior Four-Ball Championship at The Club at Renaissance in Fort Myers on October 13-14.

Starting the day one stroke behind the first round leaders, Bob Ethridge, of Plantation, and Rick Woulfe, of Fort Lauderdale, fired a final round 10-under-par round of 62, to put them at an 18-under par 126 total for the event and a six stroke victory. This is their second Senior Four-Ball Championship. With their win, Ethridge and Woulfe earned an exemption into the 2010 Four-Ball Championship. The duo from Lecanto and first round leaders, Bill Joens and Carl Nanni finished alone in second place after following their first round 9-under par 63 with a 3-under par round of 69 for tournament total of 132. Three teams finished tied for third including the team of Paul Couture, of Grafton and Steve Earlsey, from Hobe Sound with a tournament total of 10-under par 134. With his third place finish, Earsley earned Senior Player-of-the-Year honors which capped off his terrific year.

In the Super Senior Division, Ron LeClair, of Orlando, and Curtis Madson, of Mount Dora, came from one stroke back to win their division by one stroke. LeClair and Madson finished the event with a final round three under par 69, for a tournament total of 8-under par 136 total. Jeff Belfore, of Naples, and Rollie Walcott, of Naples, finished in second place with a tournament total of 7-under par 137. The duo from Lake Suzy, William Weston and Robert Niemann, finished in third with a total of 139.

At the Arthur Hills designed course you will find strategically designed, beautifully groomed golf holes.

ELIGIBILITY:  Must be age 55 or older as of October 13, 2009, and both entrants must be members of the FSGA.

ENTRY FEE:  $320 ($340 - members who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap).

ENTRIES CLOSE:  9/16/2009

COURSE: The Club at Renaissance, Fort Myers

CHAMPIONSHIP:  36 holes of four-ball stroke play.  The lowest team score for 36 holes in each division will be the Champion. If necessary, there will be a hole by hole play-off to determine the champion in each division. It is the player’s responsibility to be present for any play-off.

FLIGHTS:  After 18 holes. The number of flights will be based on the number of teams and/or the range of scores.

DIVISIONS:  55-64 (Senior), 65 and over (Super-Senior). All teams will compete in the age division that commensurate with the youngest player’s age as of the first day of the Championship.

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.

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 yards (Super Senior).

ACCOMMODATIONS:  Please click on the hotel icon for hotels in the Fort Myers area.

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 (239) 561-6335 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:  The Club at Renaissance will accept cash, and Visa/MasterCard for method of payment.

SCORE CARDS: Only one of the partners per team need sign the score card and each score to count must be individually identifiable.  See Rule 31–3.

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS:  Pete Andrews, of Lithia, and Lenny Barthle, from Valrico, shot a 66-67--133 to win at Lost Tree.