Amateur Championship

90^th Amateur Championship

Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club

Copperhead & Island Courses

Palm Harbor, Florida

June 21-24, 2007

www.innisbrookgolfresort.com

Memorandum to Contestants

On behalf of the FSGA, congratulations on qualifying for the 90^th Amateur Championship.  We hope that you enjoy your experience in competing at a State Championship and take many favorable memories from your time at the Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club.

Please take time to carefully read through this packet of information.  There are several important pieces of information contained here, some of which require action by you, by a certain time (e.g. hotel reservations, practice rounds, etc.).  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the FSGA Championship Department at (813) 632-3742 or championships@fsga.org.      

Pre-Registration Deadline

By 3:30 PM, Friday, June 15^th, each player must:

All qualifying players must remit to the FSGA office, $125 per player for advance payment of Championship fees at Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club.  Championship fees include tee gift, cart fees and range balls for all competitive rounds. Players may send a check to the FSGA office or pay by credit card online through the My FSGA Account section at www.fsga.org.  Payment must be received by 3:30 PM Friday, June 15^th, or you will be withdrawn from the Championship. Exempt players are automatically pre-registered with a complete entry.

Failure to meet this deadline will result in withdrawal of your entry.  The place will then be offered to an alternate.  We stress that all qualified players must meet the deadline of 3:30 PM, Friday, June 15^th. 

Championship Format

Seventy-two holes of individual stroke play. All players play eighteen holes each on the Copperhead Course and the Island Course. The field will be cut to the low seventy and ties after thirty-six holes. The final thirty-six holes will be played on the Copperhead Course. Range balls will be provided before and after each competitive round. 

Tee Times & Groupings

Tee times and pairings groups will be arranged and posted on the FSGA website at www.fsga.org  on or before June 15th. All competitors with a valid email address on file with the FSGA will have a link to the pairings emailed to them.

Practice Rounds & Practice Facilities

Practice rounds are available on June 19^th and 20^th on a space available basis.  Only exempt and qualifying participants may play practice rounds.  Alternates may not play a practice round.

All players must take a cart and the cost of the practice round, including range balls and cart, is $40 plus tax.  Any players playing a practice round before the 19^th & 20^th, your rate will be $65 plus tax.   Starting times for your practice round can be arranged by calling the club.  You may not make your practice tee time before groupings are made. Groupings will be made on Friday, June 15^th and faxed to the club that evening.  Players may call for tee times on Wednesday, June 13^th.  To arrange a practice round tee time call (727) 942-5220.

Players MUST use the appropriate driving range for the course you are playing that day.  (I.E. - If you are playing the Island Course round one, you should be warming up on the Island Course driving range.) 

On Thursday or Friday, please allow extra time for your warm up session at the Island Course.  Players will be shuttled to and from the range.  You will not be allowed to drive your golf cart to the driving range.  Players may drive their personal vehicle directly to the range if they wish. 

Driving Range Hours

The Island & the Copperhead driving ranges will be open at 6:30 AM Thursday - Sunday.  The Island driving range will remain open until 6:00 PM for the competitors to practice after their round each day.

GPS and Range Finders

In this competition, a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance ONLY. However, if, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g., gradient, wind-speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional functions are actually used.”

Food & Beverage

Players are welcomed to use the resort restaurants at each golf course for food & beverage.

Dress Codes

Gentlemen are required to have shirts tucked in and hats worn properly while on the golf course.  The wearing of mock turtle neck shirts with logos is permitted.

Remember that you are guests of Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club. Entries are subject to rejection or withdrawal at any time (including during the event). The reason for rejection may include improper attire and/or unbecoming conduct.

Accommodations

The headquarter hotel is the Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club. Arrangements have been made at the Resort for $119 for a Deluxe Guest Room, $129 for a Junior Suite, $139 for a one bedroom suite and $238 for a two bedroom suite. These rates do not include the applicable taxes of 12%.  Call (727) 942-2000 and identify yourself as an FSGA competitor.

Pace of Play

In order to accommodate 168 players, it is essential that the game be played at a brisk pace which may be defined as 4:15 in groups of three during the Championship rounds.  The FSGA Championship Pace of Play Policy will be in effect. Checkpoints will be established at holes 9 and 18 on each course. If and when it should become necessary to give players in each group a penalty for slow play, we hope they will react with the understanding that we do it in the best interest of the Championship and the other players.  The pace of play for the Championship will be posted on the Notice to Players.

The FSGA pace of play policy utilizes a two checkpoint system.

• Players will not receive warnings.
• Each group is responsible for monitoring their own pace.
• To avoid penalty, groups must complete each checkpoint hole:

1. Within 15 minutes of the group ahead, or
2. Under the allotted time.
• Checkpoints will be on holes #9 and #18.
• All players in a group are subject to penalty.

Position with Group Ahead – To stay within 15 minutes of the group ahead, players should never have an open hole and they should be in the fairway on par 4’s and 5’s when the group ahead leaves the green.

As each group completes a checkpoint hole, a Checkpoint Official will verbally advise the group’s status.

Carts

All players must ride during the Championship rounds. 

Caddies

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.

Spectators

Spectators are always welcome at FSGA Championships.  Spectators are encouraged to arrive at the Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club with the player they are planning on following.  If they are not able to arrive with the player, the competitor should leave their name at the Innisbrook guard gate.

Registration

There will a registration table at the Copperhead Course to pick up your tee gift and player information the day before the Championship from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.  This is NOT a mandatory registration.  Tee gifts and additional paper work 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 Friday, June 15th you have pre-registered for the Championship.

Charges

Innisbrook Golf Resort accepts cash, Visa/MasterCard and American Express for payment.

Spike Policy

It is a condition of the Florida State Golf Association that shoes with traditionally designed spikes (regardless of composition, i.e. ceramic, plastic, etc.) or spikes, regardless of design, comprised either entirely or partially of metal (when such metal comes in contact with the surface of the putting green) are prohibited.  Penalty for breach of this condition: Disqualification.

Directions to Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club

(727) 942-2000

From Orlando/Daytona/Lakeland/Winter Haven:  Take I-4 west to Tampa. Pick up I-275 south into Tampa. Exit right at Tampa International Airport to Florida Route 60 west. Take 60 across Courtney Campbell Causeway (follow Clearwater signs) to US Highway 19. Go north 10.3 miles to Innisbrook.

From Miami/Fort Lauderdale:  Take Florida Turnpike north to Yeehaw Junction. Pick up Florida Route 60 west to Clearwater. After crossing Courtney Campbell Causeway, turn north on US Highway 19 and go 10.3 miles to Innisbrook.

From Tallahassee:  Take I-10 east to US Highway 19, then drive south approximately 4.5 hours to Innisbrook, the Resort will be on the right hand side.

From Fort Myers/Sarasota/Bradenton:  Take I-75 north to Skyway Bridge (follow St. Petersburg signs). After crossing bridge, stay on I-275 to Gandy exit. Turn left on Gandy to US Highway 19, then travel north approximately 20 miles.

From Gainesville:  Take I-75 south to Florida Route 54 (New Port Richey exit). Then proceed 27.5 miles to US Highway 19, and then drive south 8.3 miles to Innisbrook.

Thank you and Good Luck!!

FSGA Championships Committee

General Tournament Information

Copperhead Course

Hole    Par     

1          5          Copperhead opens with a double-dogleg, par-5 hole. The placement of the second shot is necessary to set-up a birdie opportunity.

2          4          A drive down the right side of the fairway is required at the par-4 second hole to leave an unobstructed second shot to a narrow elevated green.

3          4          The third hole is a long, dogleg par 4. Two long, accurate shots are required to reach a well-bunkered, undulating putting surface.

4          3          The fourth hole is a medium-length par 3 with a green that's wide but shallow, making club selection most important. It's also well-protected by bunkers in front for those shots that fall short.

5          5          No. 5 is a beautiful tree-lined, uphill par 5. Length and accuracy are called for on the first two shots. Finesse is required on the approach shot to a small, well-bunkered green.

6          4          The downhill, dogleg-right sixth hole may be the toughest par 4 on the Copperhead. An accurate tee shot is necessary to leave a long second shot from a sloping lie. The large green is elevated and severely contoured.

7          4          A straight drive is necessary at the par-4 seventh to leave a clear shot to the green. The shallow, sloping green is protected by bunkers.

8          3          The eighth hole is the longest of the par 3s on the course. The green is narrow and long, while bunkers left and right and trees right make the approach very tricky.

9          4          At the ninth, bunkers protect the landing area on either side, and the elevated green makes the second shot play a club longer.

10        4          A long, accurate tee shot is required at the 10th hole. The second shot is to a sloping green, making putting difficult. Bunkers protect the green both on the left and right sides.

11        5          No. 11 is a long, winding par 5 down a tree-lined fairway. The approach shot is over a large bunker to a small green.

12        4          The 12th is a short but interesting par 4. The drive is usually a fairway wood or long iron played short of the pond, leaving a second shot with a middle- to short-iron to a small green surrounded by bunkers.

13        3          No. 13 is a very challenging and beautiful par 3. The pond catches shots short or to the right. The small green requires accurate club selection in order to get the tee shot close.

14        5          Length and accuracy are called for on the first two shots on the par-5 14th hole. The third shot is played to an undulating green protected on the left side by the Westin Innisbrook Resort's largest bunker.

15        3          No. 15 is a downhill par 3 that presents a picturesque view as well as a difficult challenge. The large green is bunkered right and left and has a contoured putting surface.

16        4          No. 16 is Copperhead's most intimidating par 4, with water stretching the entire right side. A well-positioned tee shot sets up a long second shot to a wide green.

17        3          A long par 3 to a very narrow green, No. 17 has bunkers and trees protecting both sides of the hole, making birdie a good score.

18        4          The 18th is a beautiful, uphill finishing hole. An accurate tee shot will leave an uphill second shot to an elevated, hidden green. The putting surface slopes back to front and has bunkers short and long.

The Island Course

Ample water, tight fairways, intimidating hazards, and abundant bunkers -- all designed to test the skills of the most accomplished golfer have won much acclaim for the Island Course at Innisbrook. The Island, often considered to be just as challenging as the Copperhead, is ranked among the country's top 50 resort courses by Golf Digest and No. 14 in Travel & Leisure Golf's "Fifty Finest in Florida."

The varying terrain, coupled with a variety of tee placements, can challenge both the professional player as well as the weekend golfer. The course has been a local qualifier for the U.S. Open and is remembered as well for the NCAA championship that Phil Mickelson won here in 1990.

One of Innisbrook's four championship courses, the Island Course, was the first to open for play in December of 1970. There are 18 truly unique holes here. This is a long par-72 course with water in play on at least half the holes.  The Island offers enchanting, picture-postcard scenery. "You'll find tall pines draped with Spanish moss," says Jay Overton, Director of Golf, "and lots of serene views. I love the Island Course. It's tighter off the tees and just as tough as the Copperhead. You need to be straight here."

The Island's first six holes are dominated by lateral water hazards and fairly level terrain which require pinpoint accuracy on both tee shots and approaches. The middle six holes feature rolling hills dominated by cypress and pine trees. The final third of this course boasts a mixture of holes designed to reward the bold yet penalize the errant golf shot. The golf course winds down to a finishing hole that will test the nerves of even the most steady player.

Your first hole is a par-4 (372 yards from the back tees and 322 from the forward). It's dogleg right with a well-protected green. Water runs along the right side of the hole and there are bunkers on both sides of the green. But this opening hole is a birdie opportunity.

The signature hole on this course is No. 7, a par-5 dogleg-left that plays at 565 yards from the back tees and 467 from the forward. This could be the most treacherous test you'll face on the Island. "This is a very tight driving hole," says Overton, "with water and trees on the right. The second shot is tight as well with a lake on the right."

Keep in mind on No. 7 that from the fairway to the green, the ground rises uphill about 60 feet. There's a green here that's well-protected with multiple-lobed bunkers.

The No. 9 hole on the Island Course is another toughie. "It's a par-4 that plays 415 yards from the back tees (329 yards from the forward). It's a dogleg left, but it's easy here to run through the fairway and into the woods if you're too daring off the tee," says Jay Overton.

Your approach shot on No. 9 requires a shot over water to a green that's surrounded by bunkers.

The finishing hole on this course is very similar to No. 9 in its layout. It's also one of the most photographed holes in the state of Florida if not in the nation. "It's a narrow dogleg-left par-4 (370 yards from the back and 290 from the forward tees) with trees on the right side and lots of water on the left," says Overton. "There's also water in front of the green. You need to use a fairway wood or a long iron off the tee to try to hit around the corner. It's a make-or-break hole." On this hole the green also slopes toward the water.

Restaurants

Hops Grill and Brewery                                           
(727) 789-5678
33086 US Hwy 19 N.
Palm Harbor, FL  
Directions:
Is located on US 19, just south of Nebraska Ave. on the west side

Carrabba's
(727) 787-8910
33983 US Hwy 19 N
Palm Harbor, FL  

Directions:
Located on west side of US 19, just north of Nebraska Ave.

Cody's Original Roadhouse
(727) 937-1022
39870 US 19 N
Tarpon Springs, FL  

Directions:
Located on the west side of US 19, between Klosterman Rd and Tarpon Ave.

Palm Harbor Ale House
(727) 789-1600
33219 US Hwy 19 N.
Palm Harbor, FL  

Directions:
Located on the east side of US 19, just north of Tampa Rd.

Pappas
(727) 937-5101
10 W. Docdecanese Blvd.
Tarpon Springs, FL  

Directions:
Located on the corner of Alt. 19 and Dodecanese Blvd

Rock Waters
(727) 945-0777
38954 US 19 N
Tarpon Springs, FL  

Directions:
Located on the west side of US Hwy 19, just north of Klosterman Rd.

Local Hotels (The FSGA Does NOT have any room blocks or Special Rates at these locations)

Holiday Inn Tarpon Springs
38724 U.S. 19 North
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 

(727) 934-5781

Hilton Garden Inn
4052 Tampa Road
Oldsmar, FL 34677

(813) 891-9990

Hampton Inn & Suites                
39284 US 19.,
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

727-945-7755

Tahitian Resort
2337 U.S. 19 North
Holiday, FL 34690

(727) 937-4121 

Courtyard by Marriott
4014 Tampa Rd.
Oldsmar, FL 34677

(813) 925-8887 

Holiday Inn Express
3990 Tampa Rd.
Oldsmar, FL 34677

(813) 854-5080

Residence Inn
4012 Tampa Rd.
Oldsmar, FL 34677

(813) 818-9400