Senior Amateur Championship

A J Kroeger finishes at 3-under par to win the Senior Championship

A J Kroeger went wire-to-wire to capture the 51st Senior Amateur Championship at Lake Wales Country Club in Lake Wales on April 10-12.A J Kroeger, of Apopka, outlasted the field of 144 players to win the 51st Senior Amateur Championship with a tournament total of three-under par 213. In the first round of play Kroeger posted a three-under par round of 69, which included six birdies and three bogies, to hold a one stroke advantage. A J expanded his lead after the second round of play, with another round of three-under par 69. Kroeger would take a two stroke lead into the final round after posting a two round total of six-under par 138.

In the final round, Kroeger played a flawless front nine, which included eight pars and one birdie to turn at one-under par 35. On the back nine, he stumbled a bit early with bogies on 10 and 12. After making par on number 13, Kroeger would double bogey number 14 and bogey the fifteenth hole. Kroeger stepped on the 16th tee tied for the lead, but walked off with a clutch birdie to regain the lead at three-under par. Kroeger stated, “The birdie on number 16 really got me going again after three putting the previous two holes." After making par on number 17, he would take a one stroke lead into the last hole of play. Kroeger said “I knew I had to hit a great shot on number 18, I was fighting back my nerves on the last few holes.” After a great approach shot, Kroeger would two putt for the victory. ”It feels amazing to win this Championship, and it is one of the biggest victories of my career, stated Kroeger.”

The 2010 Champion Bill Zylstra, from Ocklawaha, and the 2004 Champion Bruce Scamehorn, of Winter Haven, finished tied for second place with a tournament total of two-under par 214. Zylstra’s final round of four-under par 68 was the low round of the Championship. The Defending Champion, Jim Carley, of Ormond Beach, finished alone in ninth place after rounds of 72-73-73, for a tournament total of two-over par 218. Bruce Holliday, of Pensacola, provided the shot of the tournament with a hole-in-one on the par 3 fifth hole.

Since the number of entries received has always surpassed the capacity of the Championship, a qualifying stage was instituted in 2005. While 57 players earned exempt status through a variety of different means, more than 300 participants attempted to qualify at one of seven sites across the state, as competitors played 18 holes of stroke play hoping to advance to the Championship. Participants must be 55 or older to participate in the Championship. Players who advanced to the Championship compete in 54 holes of stroke play with a cut to the low 60 and ties after 36 holes.

Entries Close Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Lake Wales Country Club was built in 1926 and designed by Donald Ross, the nations first great golf course designer, and the man who laid out Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina, Oakland Hills in Michigan and Seminole Golf Club in Florida.

Championship Format

54 holes of individual stroke play. The field of 144 players will be cut to the low 60 and ties after the second round. There will be a hole by hole play-off immediately following play in event of a tie for first place only. It is the player's responsibility to be present for any playoff. Initial groupings will be for two days; the field will be re-paired by score after the second round.  Round three tee times will start at 8:00 AM off of the first & tenth tees.

Championship Field Size

144 players

Eligibility

Male amateurs must be age 55 or older as of April 10, 2012, and be a member of the FSGA.

Entry Fee

Qualifying Fee: $70 ($80 - members who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap). Qualifying Fee includes Entry Fee and cart fee.

Those individuals who advance to the Championship through qualifying must pre-register and remit an additional $240 either online at the FSGA website at www.fsga.org or by check to the FSGA office for advance payment of Championship Fees.

New for 2012, Championship Fees include lunch after each of the first two rounds and a Player Dinner. Payment must be received by Wednesday, April 4 by 3:30 pm, or the individual will be withdrawn from the Championship. Championship Fee includes cart fees for all competitive rounds.

Exempt Players Fee

$260 ($270 - members who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap). Exempt Fee includes Championship Fee (includes lunch after each of the first two rounds and a Player Dinner) and Entry Fee for those individuals eligible for exemption. (See below)

Qualifying

18 holes of stroke play at 7 sites.  Cart fees are included in your qualifying fee. Qualifying Sites - Click here

Defending Champion

Jim Carley, of Ormond Beach, won the title by shooting 67-69-72--208 at the Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club in Bradenton.

Practice Round Cart Fees

Players are responsible for practice round cart fees at qualifying sites and at the Championship Proper.

Exemptions

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

• Last ten year's Senior Amateur Champions Top 30 & tied from last year's Senior Amateur Championship
• Last three year's Senior Amateur Match Play Championship senior (55-64) age division Champions
• Last year's Super Senior Champion
• Player finishing runner-up in last year's Senior Amateur Match
• Play Championship senior (55-64) age division
• Top 10 & tied from last year's Senior Player of the Year final point standings
• Top 20 & tied from the Winter Series senior (55-64) age division current points list as of the close of entries
• Winners of the current year's Winter Series season senior (55-64) age division individual events
• Points Champion of last year's Winter Series senior (55-64) age division points list
• Players finishing in the top 30 & tied of last year's Mid-Senior Championship
• Players making match play at last year's Mid-Amateur Championship
• Players qualifying for any one of last year's USGA National
• Championships Top 3 & tied from last year's Palm Beach County
• Golf Association Senior points list
• Last year's PBCGA Senior
• Amateur Champion
• Last year's PBCGA Tour Championship Senior
• Division Champion Top 3 & tied from last year's Emerald Coast
• Senior Scratch Series
• Last year's ECSSS Match Play Champion

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.

On-Site Registration

There will be a registration table set up from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at Lake Wales Country Club to pick up your tee gift and player information the day before the Championship.  This is NOT a mandatory registration. Tee gifts and additional player information will be available for pick up before the competitive rounds for players not playing a practice round on Monday. If we have received your payment for your Championship Fee by Wednesday, April 4th you have pre-registered for the Championship.

Practice Round- Championship

Practice rounds are available after the field is set on Wednesday, March 28th. Please call (863) 676-6519 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.

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.

Alternate Procedures

Click here for information on how alternates may gain entry into either qualifying for the Championship or into the Championship proper.

Payment

Lake Wales Country Club accepts Cash, Visa/MasterCard & American Express as payment.

Accommodations

Click here for host hotel information.

Directions to the Club

Lake Wales Country Club
2925 Highway 60 East
Lake Wales, FL 33898

(863) 676-2422

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