Senior Amateur Match Play Championship

Peel Wins Senior Match Play Championship

Fred Peel defeated Bruce Scamehorn 3 and 2 to win the 3rd Senior Amateur Match Play Championship at Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club on July 6-10.  

Before starting match play, Fred Peel, of Chipley, earned the 3rd seed after posting a 70 in the seeding round. Peel proceeded to win four matches to reserve his spot in the final match. In the Round of 32, Peel beat Quay Burket, of Altamonte Springs, 8 and 6 to face Bill O'Keefe, from Fort Lauderdale, in the next round. Peel beat O’Keefe 3 and 2 in the Round of 16. In the quarters, Peel defeated Bob Ethridge, of Plantation, by the same score of 3 and 2. In the semis, Peel kept his winning streak alive defeating Gary Pettit, from Dade City, 4 and 3 to advance to the final match versus Scamehorn. Peel won his fifth and final match defeating Scamehorn 3 and 2. Peel jumped ahead early and was 2 up after nine holes and maintained the lead throughout the entire match. En route to facing Peel in the finals, Scamehorn, the 2004 Senior Amateur Champion and 2006 Senior Match Play Runner Up, defeated the 2006 Champion Berger Warner, of Ocala, 4 and 3 in the Round of 16. Scamehorn, of Winter Haven, won his next match by default and then upset top seed and Defending Champion Rick Woulfe, of Fort Lauderdale, 2 and 1 in the semifinals. In the Senior Division First Flight, Tom Hendrick, from Inverness, defeated Roger Flaherty, of San Antonio, 3 and 2. Hendrick won the first hole, lost the next two holes then regained the lead for the win.  

In the Super Senior Championship Bracket, 2nd seed Brian Sachs, of Newberry, beat Bill Sonntag, of Saint Augustine, 4 and 3 for the division title. Sachs defeated last year’s Super Senior Champion Jim DuBois, of Coral Springs, 1 up in the Round of 16 and then beat the 2005 Senior Amateur Champion Edward Craig, of Orlando, 1 up in the quarters. Sachs continued his run winning his semifinal match 2 and 1 against Max Mathews, of Andalusia. Ron Audi, from Ocala, upset top seed Bob Rogoff, of Coral Springs, 6 and 5 to claim the Super Senior First Flight title.

Amidst the gently rolling hills of Central Florida, Golden Ocala boasts a picturesque 18-hole, Ron Garl designed course, incorporating eight masterfully recreated tribute holes from some of the world’s finest golf courses including Augusta, Royal Troon, Baltusrol and St. Andrews.

ELIGIBILITY:  Must be a member of the FSGA and age 55 years as of July 6, 2008.

ENTRY FEE:  $185 ($195 - members who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap).

ENTRIES CLOSE:  Wednesday, June 4

SEEDING AND CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT :  All players will play an 18 hole stroke play seeding round to determine flights and seeding within each flight. Two flights of 32 each in the Senior division and one flight of 16 in the Super-Senior division. There will be a hole by hole play-off to determine the 32 seed in the Championship flight only all other ties for seeds will be broken randomly.  All players will play one match on Monday morning. Matches will continue each morning. Only the Senior division flights will play Tuesday afternoon. The finals are scheduled for Thursday morning.

DIVISIONS:  55-64 (Senior), 65 and over (Super-Senior). All players will be placed in the age division commensurate with their age as of the first day of the Championship. No player may play in both age divisions. (Any Super-Senior wishing to compete in the Senior division must notify the FSGA upon entry.)

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.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Click on the link for hotels in the Ocala area.  Then click on the hotel icon.  The FSGA does not have a host hotel. Click here

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 (Super Senior).

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 (352) 671-3933 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: Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club will accept Visa/MasterCard and American Express for method of payment.

DIRECTIONS TO GOLDEN OCALA GOLF & EQUESTRIAN CLUB:  Click here for a map to Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club.

Take Exit 354 Off I-75.  Head west and the entrance to the club will be on your left hand side.

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS: Senior Division Rick Woulfe, of Fort Lauderdale, defeated Gary Golbesky, of Port St. Lucie and the Super Senior Division Champion Jim Dubios, of Coral Springs defeat Bob Rogaff, of Coral Springs at Sara Bay Country Club