Morland Comes from behind to Capture Florida Senior Open
ESTERO, Fla.– David Morland used the low-round of the day to capture the 2019 Florida Senior Open Championship on Wednesday at West Bay Golf Club. He posted a 5-under 67 in the final round to secure the two-stroke victory.
Morland, who was playing in his first Florida Senior open, began the day in a tie for seventh place, nine strokes back of the leader, Gene Fieger. He started the day with a bogey-free front nine, carding four birdies.
Heading to the back nine, Morland was in a tie for first place at 5-under.
The Canada native moved into solo first place with a birdie on the 11th hole, and he secured the victory with a birdie-par finish. Morland posted a 6-under 210 for the championship to claim $10,000 of the $52,000 purse.
Victor Tortorici, a professional at Sailfish Point Golf Club, and Matthew Avril, an amateur from Vero Beach, tied for second place at 4-under 212.
Avril got off to a hot start with a bogey-free front nine including three birdies. He secured Low Amateur honors with a birdie on the 18th hole, finishing the final round at 4-under 68, his best round of the championship.
Tortorici secured his best Senior Open finish in five starts, finsihing two strokes behind Morland in a tie for second with Avril.
Robin Byrd took home fourth place, while amateur Richard Kerper finished in fifth place.
Fieger, the defending champion and professional at Club Pelican Bay, began the day with a four-stroke lead, but struggled in the final round. He lost the lead on the eighth hole and finished the championship in a tie for ninth.
$52,000 Professional Purse
$10,000 Winner
$1,000 Minimum to Top-20 Finishers
**New Date - Late April - Great Weather**
The 43rd Florida Senior Open heads to West Bay Golf Club in Estero, just north of Naples and Bonita Springs. Players must be a Florida Resident and be 50 years old as of the first day of the Championship. For a look at the Past Championship Results, click here.
Exemptions may be earned through Florida State Golf Association and PGA Section Championships and Points Lists, USGA and PGA Championships. (See Exemptions listed at the bottom of this page)
At least 50 years of age as of the first day of the Championship
A valid USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 6.4 at 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 played in more than 10 select professional tour events are ineligible
Championship Format
54 holes of individual stroke play
The field is cut to the low 60 and ties after 36 holes
The lowest score for 54 holes is the Champion
Estimated Purse
$52,000 Professional Purse - Click here to see estimated payouts
Winner's Check - $10,000
Top 20 professionals, $1,000 minimum
Entry Fees
Qualifying Fee
Championship Fee
Exempt Fee
Professional
$125
$300
$375
Amateur
$100
$200
$250
Qualifying Fee:Qualifying Fee includes entry fee and cart fee.
Championship Fee: Fee paid by those individuals who advance to the Championship through qualifying. Includes tee gifts and gift certificates, course and cart fees, and range balls.
Exempt Fee: Exempt Fee includes Championship Fee and Entry Fee for those individuals eligible for exemption.
Late entries will be subject to a $10 late entry fee should the entrant gain acceptance into the qualifying field.
Pre-Registration
Those players who advance to the Championship through local qualifying must pre-register and remit the appropriate Championship Fee (see above) at www.fsga.org under the "My Account" section, located in the top right hand corner of the web-page. Payment must be received by Wednesday, April 24th by 3:30 PM or the individual will be withdrawn from the Championship.
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).
Player Endorsements
Schedule of Events
Monday, April 29th
7:45 AM - 9:32 AM - Round One tee times off #1 and #10
11:00 AM - 2:30 PM - Complimentary Players' Lunch Buffet for before or after play
12:15 PM - 2:03 PM - Round One tee times off #1 and #10
Tuesday, April 30th
7:45 AM - 9:32 AM - Round One tee times off #1 and #10
11:00 AM - 2:30 PM - Complimentary Players' Lunch Buffet for before or after play
12:15 PM - 2:03 PM - Round One tee times off #1 and #10
After 36 holes are complete, the field will be cut to the low 60 players and ties
Wednesday, May 1st
7:45 AM - 9:32 AM - Final Round tee times off #1 and #10
11:00 AM - 2:15 PM - Complimentary Players' Lunch Buffet
Awards ceremony immediately following the completion of play
Course Set-Up
The golf courses will be set-up at approximately 6,600 yards.
Players may submit one entry for the Florida Senior 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).
Supporting Sponsors
The FSGA, PGA North Florida Section and PGA South Florida Section are please to welcome the following Supporting Sponsors of the 2019 Florida Senior Open Championship.
Global Golf Sales - Steve Sponder and his sales team are the top source for golf grips, club repair, and many pro shop needs in the state. Located in a Southeast Florida warehouse and with great inventory on hand. The team at Global Golf Sales can generally reach most golf shops in with next day shipping and will have the product you need in stock.
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. Caddies are allowed, however, a player must not use a parent, step-parent or guardian as a caddie. The caddie MUST walk and the player's clubs must remain on the golf cart.
Championship Practice Round and Practice Facility Information
Practice rounds will be available to the competitors one week prior of the competition on a space available basis and after 12:00 PM on the weekends. The cost of a practice round is $30 plus tax. Players will be responsible for direct payment of any fees for the practice rounds. To schedule a practice round, call the pro shop at 239-948-3482.
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.
Defending Champion
Gene Fieger, of Naples earned his second Florida Senior Open crown in 2018. Fieger followed up an opening 70 (-2) on Mission Inn's El Campeon Course, with an impressive 64 (-8) to take a commanding four stroke lead into the final round. His closing 71 and 11 under-par total was good enough to earn him a seven stroke victory.
Exemptions
Players in the following categories will be eligible for exemption provided they meet all entry and eligibility requirements.
PROFESSIONALS
Last five year's Florida Senior Open Champions
Professionals finishing top ten and tied from last year's Florida Senior Open Championship
Championship & Qualifying Host Clubs' Representative (may be an amateur)
Professionals finishing top three and tied from last year's South Florida Senior Open Championship
Professionals qualifying for the current year's PGA Senior Championship
Professionals qualifying for any one of last year's USGA Individual Championships
Top three and tied from last year's AL-NWFLPGA, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Senior (Regular Division) Championship
Top five and tied from last year's final AL-NWFLPGA, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Senior Player of the Year Points List
Last year's NFPGA Senior Match Play Champion
AMATEURS
Last five year's Florida Senior Open Champions
Amateurs finishing top ten and tied from last year's Florida Senior Open Championship
Low Amateur from last year's Florida Senior Open Championship
Current year's Senior Amateur Champion
Last year's Senior Amateur Match Play Champion
Amateurs qualifying for any one of last year's USGA Individual Championships
Low Amateur from last year's South Florida Senior Open Championship
Top five and tied from last year's Senior Amateur Championship
Top five and tied from last year's final FSGA Senior Player of the Year Points List
Caddies - Caddies are allowed in all FSGA Championships except Junior events. However, a player must not use a parent, step-parent or guardian as a caddie. The caddie MUST walk and the player's clubs must remain on the golf cart.
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.
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 The Florida Senior Open you grant the FSGA/SFPGA and those acting with the FSGA/SFPGA, 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/SFPGA. Participants in FSGA/SFPGA events waive their rights to inspect or approve all media produced by the FSGA/SFPGA 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/SFPGA.
Directions
West Bay Golf Club
4606 West Bay Boulevard
Estero, FL 33928
secure the two-stroke victory. 
