The Florida Open

Perry Prevails in Play-off to Win Florida Open

Rod Perry, of Port Orange, outlasted the field of 156 players to capture the 65th Florida Open Championship.  Perry fired an opening round four-under par 68 on the Ranch course to trail the first round leader by two strokes. Perry carded another solid round on the Quarry course with a three-under par 69 to find himself tied for the lead heading into the final round of play. In the final round, Perry played a perfect round of golf with three birdies and no bogeys to post a three-under par 69 for a tournament total of 10-under par 206. Alan Morin, Royal Palm Beach, posted rounds of 69-69-68, which included a clutch birdie on the final hole of regulation for a tournament total of 10-under par 206, to force a three hole aggregate playoff with Perry.
 
The three hole aggregate playoff would be played on holes 18, 1 and 9. Perry would birdie the par 5 18th hole, and make par on holes 1 and 9 to capture his first Florida Open Championship and the $12,000 check.  Perry, who currently works out of Daytona Beach Golf Club, stated “I played solid all day hitting every green in regulation; I knew Alan would make a move today, he is a great player and I have the utmost respect for him. Perry stated “It was unfortunate what happened to Alan on the first playoff hole, he only made two bogeys in 54- holes, so for him to make an eight was out of the ordinary. After my birdie on the first playoff hole, I just wanted to hit fairways and greens on the final two holes”. “This is the biggest victory of my career. With the history behind this event, I am happy to have my name associated with the other great Champions” said Perry.
 
Carlos Velez, of Miami, finished in third place after a final round of even par 72 for a tournament total of seven-under par 209. Velez, currently working out of Miccosukee Golf & Country Club, posted a six-under par 66 in the first round on the Quarry course to go along with his second round of one-under par 71 on the Ranch course. Taking home low Amateur honors was Brant Peaper, of Tequesta, who finished tied for fourth place with a tournament total of six-under par 210. Peaper, currently a junior at the University of Indiana, posted rounds of 66-75-69.
 
The top 156 amateur & professional golfers in the state played 18 holes each on the Quarry Course and the Ranch Course on July 15-16. After 36 holes, the field was cut to the low 60 and ties. The final 18 holes of the Championship were played on the Quarry Course on July 17. Before reaching the Championship, more than 1000 participants attempted to qualify at one of 16 sites across the state.

Started in 1942, The Florida Open Championship has produced past champions that include Willie Turnesa, Bob Murphy, Gary Koch, Bruce Fleisher, John Huston, Dudley Hart, and Bart Bryant.  This will be the third year the Florida State Golf Association will be conducting this great championship.

Entries Close Wednesday June 15, 2011

The 2011 Florida Open will be held July 15-17 at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto. Florida Professionals and Amateurs can qualify for the Championship through local qualifying.  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.

CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD SIZE

156 players

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 and 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 11 by 12:00 PM or the individual will be withdrawn from the Championship.  Championship fee includes competitive round lunches, golf, cart fees and range balls plus a player badge and tee gift.

EXEMPT PLAYERS 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

Ben Vertz (a), of Coral Springs, won the Florida Open Championship shooting a 75-66-69--206 at the Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club in Palm Harbor.   

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.  (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 Quarry course and the Ranch course on Friday, July 15th and Saturday, July 16th. The field will be cut to the low sixty and ties after thirty-six holes. The final eighteen holes will be played on the Quarry 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 of the competition on a space available basis.  Practice rounds are restricted to after 12:00 PM on the weekend prior to the Championship.  The cost of practice rounds is $25 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 (352) 746-3446.

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 qualifying is completed. Weather permitting, qualifying concludes on Friday, July 8th. A list of players will be faxed to the club following the conclusion of qualifying. 

EXEMPTIONS 

Players in the following categories will be eligible for exemption provided they meet all entry and eligibility requirements.

PROFESSIONALS

• Florida Open Champions the last five years
• Professionals finishing top ten and tied of last year’s Florida Open
• Championship Host Club’s Representative
• Current year’s SFPGA Open Champion
• Last year’s Dixie and SFPGA Professional Champion
• Current year’s Southeast PGA Classic Champion
• Last year’s NFPGA PNC Champion
• Last year’s Dixie, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Champions
• Last year’s Dixie, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Senior (regular division) Champion
• Last year’s Dixie, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Chapter Champions
• Last year’s Dixie, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Assistant Champions
• Last year’s Dixie Section Match Play Champion
• Current year’s NFPGA Section Match Play Champion
• Last year’s Dixie, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Senior (Regular Division) Player of the Year
• Last year’s top five and tied on the final Dixie, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Player of the Year Points List      

AMATEURS

• Florida Open Champions the last five years
• Amateurs finishing in the top ten and tied of last year’s Florida Open
• Current Year’s Amateur Champion
• Last two year’s Amateur Champions
• Last year’s top five and tied Amateur Championship finishers
• Last year’s top five and tied on the final FSGA Player of the Year Points List
• Last year’s Junior Amateur Player of the Year
• Last year’s Senior Amateur Player of the Year
• Last year’s Boys Junior Champion (16-18 age division)
• Last year’s Amateur Match Play Champion
• Last year’s Mid-Amateur Champion

ON-SITE REGISTRATION

There will a registration table set up at Black Diamond Ranch 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 11 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

Arrangements have been made at the Plantation Golf Resort & Spa. Standard rooms with King or Double for $79 per night; Single/Double Occupancy, plus 9% tax on Sunday-Thursday (July 10-14) and $89 per night Friday-Saturday (July 15-16).

Reservations will be accepted on a call-in basis until July 9th. After this cut-off date, any uncommitted rooms will be released and further reservation requests will be honored on a space and rate available basis.

To make reservations please call (800) 632-6262 and ask for reservations. Please identify yourself as a FSGA Florida Open Championship particpant.

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.  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

Black Diamond Ranch accepts cash, Visa/MasterCard and American Express for payment.

DIRECTIONS TO THE CLUB

2600 W. Black Diamond Circle

Lecanto, FL 34461

(352) 746-4000