Florida Senior Open Championship

Amateur Takes the Crown

Amateur Pete Williams, of Juno Beach, became the first amateur to win The Florida Senior Open in its 36-year history.  Pete delivered his third consecutive under-par performance and blew past the field to post a four-stroke win at The Florida Senior Open, which concluded Sunday at the 6,741-yard, par 72 Bear Lakes Country Club. 

In claiming his first Florida Senior Open title, Williams’ finished the championship at 12-under, 204.

“Every win is meaningful,” Williams’ said, “but to be able to beat all these great pros is pretty special.” 

Williams made bogey on 16 after pulling his second shot into the water, but he came back with an eagle on 17 after hitting a three-iron to eight feet from 210 yards. 

“That must have been the best three-iron of my life, it was definitely the shot of the week,” Williams’ said.  Pete shot rounds of 70-66-68, 12-under to earn the championship title.

Professionals Ed Sabo, of Tequesta, and Gene Fieger, of Naples, closed the tournament at eight-under-par to share the runner-up title.  The two will split the first and second place professional's check, taking home $3,750 each.

During this Championship, all participants played eighteen holes each on the Lakes course and the Links course on Friday, August 10th and Saturday, August 11th. Bear Lakes Country Club was in immaculate condition for the competitors and contained challenges in its fast greens and well-placed bunkers. Bear Lakes has played host to both Florida State Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships, sectional qualifying for the U.S. Open for both men and women as well as the 1995 and 2001 PGA Tour Qualifying Finals.

Seven Birdies Propel Williams into the Lead

Pros Take The Lead At Senior Open

Bear Lakes to Host FL Senior Open

Entries Close Wednesday June 27, 2012

The 2012 Florida Senior Open will be conducted August 10-12 at Bear Lakes in West Palm Beach. Florida Professionals and Amateurs can qualify for the Championship through eight local qualifying.  Exemptions may be earned though State Amateur Championships & PGA Section Events. (See Exemptions listed at the bottom of this page)

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 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.

Championship Field Size

156 players

Local Qualifying

18 holes stroke play at 8 sites. 

Transferring Qualifying Sites

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).

Eligibility

Open to male Florida Golf Professionals and Amateurs at least 50 years of age who are residents of Florida.  (PGA class A-3 members and players that have played in more than 10 select professional tour events are ineligible). See Eligibility and Rules page for complete details and a list of professional tours.

Estimated Purse

$35,000

Entry Fees

Players who advance to the Championship through local qualifying must pre-register and remit the appropriate Championship Fee 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 Monday, August 6 by 12:00 PM or the individual will be withdrawn from the Championship.  Championship fee includes: golf, cart fees and range balls plus a player badge and tee gift.

Exempt Player's 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

Mike San Filippo, Hobe Sound, won the Florida Senior Open Championship shooting a 70-69-64--203 at the Naples Beach Club in Naples.  

Cart and Caddie Policy

Qualifying Round
Players have the option of walking or riding (Cart is included in qualifying fee).  Only a player or his caddie may ride in a cart at any given time, but not both at the same time.  

Championship Rounds
Cart fees are included in the Championship Fee for all competitive rounds of the Championship.  Players may either walk or ride, at the Championship. All players, including those choosing to walk, must adhere to the established FSGA Pace of Play Policy.

Championship Information

All players play eighteen holes each on the Lakes course and the Links course on Friday, August 10th and Saturday, August 11th. The field will be cut to the low sixty and ties after 36 holes. The final eighteen holes will be played on the Lakes course.

Championship 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. 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 (561) 478-0002.

You may not make your practice round tee time before qualifying is completed. Weather permitting, qualifying concludes on Monday, July 30th. 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

• Last five year's Florida Senior Open Champions
• Professionals finishing top ten and tied from last year's Florida Senior Open
• Championship Host Club's Representative (could be an amateur)
• Professionals finishing top three and tied from current year's South Florida Senior Open
• Professionals qualifying for the current year's PGA Senior Championship
• Professionals qualifying for the current year's US Senior Open Championship
• Top three and tied from last year's Dixie, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Senior (regular division) Championship
• Top five and tied from last year's the final Dixie, NFPGA and SFPGA Section Senior Player of the Year Points List
• Current 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
• Low Amateur from last year's Florida Senior Open
• Last two year's Senior Amateur Champions
• Current year's Senior Amateur Match Play Champion
• Amateurs finishing top three and tied from current year's South Florida Senior Open
• Low Amateur from current year's South Florida Senior Open
• Players finishing top five and tied from current year's Senior Amateur Championship
• Top five and tied from the last year's final FSGA Senior Player of the Year Points List
• Amateurs qualifying for the current year's US Senior Open Championship
• Amateurs qualifying for last year's US Senior Amateur Championship

On-Site  Registration

There will a registration table set up at Bear Lakes Country Club 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, August 6th by 12:00 PM you have pre-registered for the Championship.

Sponsor

Antigua Golf is a proud sponsor of the Florida Senior Open Championship. All competitors will receive an Antigua golf shirt at the Championship.

Alternate Procedures

Click here here for alternate procedures.

Accommodations

Arrangements have been made at the Courtyard West Palm Beach, 600 Northpoint Parkway, West Palm Beach, Florida for the rate of $89 per night for a King size bed. Click here to make a reservation or call (800) 321-2211 and request a reservation under the Southern Florida PGA room block.

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 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.  

Method of Payments

Bear Lakes Country Club accepts cash and Visa/Mastercard for method of payment.

Directions

Bear Lakes Country Club
1901 Village Boulevard
West Palm Beach, FL  33409
561-478-0002