Florida Women's Open & Senior Open

VERO BEACH, Fla. –  It was Jessica Porvasnik and Cheryl Fox who raised the 3rd Florida Women’s Open and Senior Open Championship trophies on Sunday at Orchird Island Golf and Beach Club. 

Porvasnik captured the win in the Open Division with a 6-under 209, while Fox was victorious in the Senior Division at 5-under 210.

Porvasnik, who began the day with a one-shot lead over the field, got off to a strong start. After paring the first two holes, she birdied four of the next five holes to move to six-under for the championship. 

The Ohio native held steady the remainder of the round, playing the next 11 holes at even-par.

Playing in her first Florida Women’s Open, Porvasnik carded a final-round 3-under 69 to win by three shots. 

She was the only player in the field to post three under-par rounds for the championship, 69-71-69—209. Porvasnik also capture the Ohio Women’s Open Championship in 2018.

Three players finished the championship in a tie for second place at 3-under 212: Sandra Changkija, Celeste Valinho and Jessica Welch. Changkija, the 2017 champion, started the day five shots back from the leader. She played the first five holes at 5-under, posted three birdies and one eagle to sit two shots back of Porvasnik.

The Kissimmee native ran in to some trouble on the back nine, hitting it into the water on the 12th hole and finishing with a double bogey. She recovered well, adding two birdies and posting the low round of the championship, 5-under 67.

Valinho used a final-round 3-under 69 to earn low amateur honors and a share of second place. She carded four birdies on the day, including a birdie to finish the day on the 18th. Welch played a bogey-free round to shoot a final-round 1-under 71.

In the Senior Division, Fox fired a final-round 4-under 68 to secure the two-shot victory. She carded four birdies on the front nine, with back-to-back birdies to close out her first nine. The Ohio native added another birdie on the back nine to finish the day at 4-under, the low round of the championship in the Senior Division.

Beginning the day in first place, Laurie Rinker took home second place at 3-under 212, finishing the final round with a 1-over 73. Tammie Green used her best round of the championship, 1-under 71, to capture third place at 1-under 214.

Barbara Lilley picked up low amateur honors in the Senior Division with an 11-over 226, finishing the championship with a 4-over 75.

Results

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$50,000 Total Purse

NO RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
OPEN TO AMATEURS & PROFESSIONALS OF ALL AGES

The Florida Women's Open and Senior Open heads to Vero Beach in August of 2019 and will be played at two of the finest private club in the entire state, Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club and co-host, John's Island Club. Players will play 18 holes on each course before a 36 hole cut is made. This Championship will give competitors a rare opportunity to play with some of the best professionals and amateurs from around the country, allowing great players from today and tomorrow to compete together on the same turf. Play with the best, learn from the best, and be the best. For a look at the 2018 Championship results click here.

Entry Fees

	Open Division	Senior Division
Florida Amateur	$200	$200
Florida Professional	$300	$300
Out-Of-State Amateur	$400	$400
Out-Of-State Professional	$500	$500

*Click here to review residency guidelines*

Eligibility

• Female amateur or professional golfer
• Senior Division - At least 50 years of age as of the first day of the Championship
• A valid USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 5.4 (Open Division) or 9.4 (Senior Open Division)
• Entrant is not required to be a member of the FSGA
• Entrant is NOT required to be a Florida resident
• Entries are subject to rejection, including during the event, if you falsify your residency upon entry

Championship Format

• 54 holes of individual stroke play
• The field will be cut to the low 60 and ties after 36 holes
• All players play 18 holes each at Orchid Island and John's Island - North Course on Friday and Saturday
• Each division will have a separate cut line. The number of players making the cut in each division will be based on the ratio of Open players to Senior Open players at the start of round one. Example - If 1/3 of the total field are Senior Open players, then 1/3 of the players making the cut will be Senior Open players.
• The lowest score for 54-holes will determine the Champion for each division

Championship Field Size

• Maximum of 144 players

How the Field is Determined

Prior to the close of general entries: July 17th 

• EXEMPT entries will be guaranteed acceptance into the field upon receipt up until the Championship reaches capacity
• During the general entry period, non-exempt entries may be accepted into the field based upon an applicant's exceptional playing resume

After the close of the general entry period: July 18th

• NON-EXEMPT entries will be accepted into the field based upon an applicant's playing resume
• The FSGA may hold an undisclosed number of spots for exceptional circumstances

Qualifier

• Should entries significantly exceed capacity, the FSGA reserves the right to conduct a one-day qualifier prior to the Championship to determine the final players in the field that have not already gained acceptance.

Alternates and Withdrawals

• Alternates - Applicants not accepted through the entry process will be placed on an alternates list based upon the strength of their application. When a Division's alternates list is exhausted, an alternate from the other Division will be used to fill an open spot.
• Withdrawals - Any withdrawals from either Division will be filled by an alternate from that Division's alternates list.

Exemptions

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

Professionals 

Open Division

• Last 5 year's Florida Women's Open Champions
• Top 15 and tied from last year's Florida Women's Open Championship
• Priority A list members from the current Symetra Tour Priority Status list
• Top 25 and tied from the current NWGA Money Leaders list
• Top 10 and tied from last year's LPGA T&CP National Championship (Champ Division)
• Top 10 and tied from last year's PGA Women's Stroke Play Championship
• Any player participating in last year's U.S. Women's Open Championship
• Active Legends Tour members at time of entry (may compete in either division if 50 years or older)

Senior Open Division - 50+ years of age

• Last 5 year's Florida Women's Senior Open Champions
• Top 3 and tied from last year's Florida Women's Senior Open Championship
• Active Legends Tour members at time of entry
• Top 10 and tied from last year's LPGA T&CP National Championship (Champ Division)
• Any player participating in last year's U.S. Women's Open Championship
• Any player participating in last year's U.S. Senior Women's Open Championship

Amateurs

Open Division

• Last 5 year's Florida Open Champions
• Top 15 and tied from last year's Florida Women's Open Championship
• Last and current year's FSGA Women's Amateur Champion
• Last year's FSGA Women's Amateur Stroke Play Champion
• Current year's FSGA Women's Mid-Amateur Champion
• Last year's FSGA Girls' Junior Champion (16-18 Division)
• Last year's FSGA Women's Player of the Year
• Last year's FSGA Girls' Junior Player of the Year
• Top 25 and tied from last year's final Florida Women's Player of the Year points list
• Top 20 and tied from last year's final Florida Girls' Junior Player of the Year points list
• Top 200 and tied of the Women's World Amateur Golf Rankings as of the entry open date
• Any player participating in last year's U.S. Women's Open Championship
• Any player making the cut in last year's U.S. Women's Amateur Championship

Senior Open Division

• Last 5 year's Florida Senior Open Champions
• Top 3 and tied from last year's Florida Women's Senior Open Championship
• Current year's FSGA Women's Senior Amateur Champion (Championship Division)
• Last year's FSGA Women's Senior Amateur Match Play Champion (Championship Division)
• Last year's FSGA Women's Senior Player of the Year
• Top 15 and tied from last year's Florida Women's Senior Player of the Year points list
• Any player participating in last year's U.S. Women's Open Championship
• Any player participating in last year's U.S. Senior Women's Open Championship
• Any player making the cut in last year's U.S. Senior Women's Amateur Championship
• Any player making the cut in last year's U.S. Women's Amateur Championship

Note: Any player that earns an entry exemption through a Senior Open Division category may only apply that entry exemption to the Senior Open Division. Loss of Exemptions - If a player turns professional, she loses any exemption(s) she previously earned as an amateur player with the FSGA.

Professional Prize Purse

$50,000 - click here to view the 2018 Payout Schedule

The purse will be distributed between the Open and Senior Open divisions based on entries. Players who make the cut, but fail to finish 54-holes, will receive the minimum payout. Professionals eligible for the Senior Open Division, but choosing to compete in the Open Division, are only eligible for prize money in the Division selected upon entry. Amateurs will receive their payment in the form of gift certificates redeemable to Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club

Schedule of Events

Thursday, August 8th

• Player Registration 

Friday, August 9th

• 6:30 - 9:30 AM - Player Registration
• 8:00 - 9:40 AM - Round One tee times off #1 and #10 on both courses

Saturday, August 10th

• 8:00 - 9:40 AM - Round Two tee times off #1 and #10 on both courses
• After 36 holes are complete, the field will be cut to the low 60 players and ties

Sunday, August 11th

• 8:00 - 9:30 AM - Final Round tee times off #1 and #10 at Orchid Island
• Awards ceremony immediately following the completion of play

Divisions and Approximate Yardages

• Open Division - 6,300 yards 
• Senior Open Division - 5,800 yards

Switching of divisions will not be permitted after pairings are posted

Practice Rounds

Practice rounds are available on a space available basis up until the first day of the Championship. The price for a practice round is $40.00 + tax and includes cart and range balls prior to the round. To schedule a practice round, call the Orchid Island golf shop at 772-388-2350 and the John's Island Club - NORTH COURSE at 772 231-8615. The proper place to practice your golf swing is on the driving range, hitting multiple shots on the course is unacceptable.

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 Champions

Symetra Tour and NWGA player Sandra Angulo Minarro played lights out posting a three day total of ten under-par with rounds of 70-68-68. Four birdies on her front nine on Sunday followed by pars on the remaining holes earned Sandra a victory. 

In the Senior Division, Sunday concluded in a three-way tie forcing a play-off between professional Susan Bond, and amateurs Kim Keyer-Scott and Mary Jane Hiestand. The players headed to to the par four 14th hole where Keyer-Scott and Hiestand advanced with pars. Keyer-Scott and Hiestand went on to make two more pars. After playing the 13th hole for a second time, Hiestand secured her victory!

Cart and Caddie Policy

Cart fees are included in the Championship Fee for all competitive rounds of the Championship. Players must utilize a golf cart for all competitive rounds. Caddies are permitted; however, the caddie may not ride and the player's bag must remain on the golf cart. All players that choose to employ a caddie must adhere to the established FSGA Pace of Play Policy.

Other Policies

• Spectators and Spectator Cart Policy -  Click here.
• Caddies - Caddies are allowed in all FSGA Championships except Junior events. The caddie MUST walk and the player’s clubs must remain on the golf cart.
• Championship Pace of Play Policy - Click here.
• Local Rules and Terms of 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.

Host Hotel and Accommodations

Click here to view host hotel information

Publicity and Promotion

By participating in The Florida Women's Open 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.

Directions 

Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club
1 Beachside Drive
Vero Beach, FL 32963
772-388-2350

Click here for directions

John's Island Club - North Course
3 John's Island Drive
Vero Beach, FL 32963
772-231-8615

Click here for directions