Amateur Championship

92^nd Amateur Championship

TPC Sawgrass & Sawgrass Country Club

THE PLAYERS Stadium Course & East/West Course

www.tpc.com/sawgrass/

www.sawgrasscountryclub.com

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

June 25-28, 2009

Memorandum to Contestants

On behalf of the FSGA, congratulations on qualifying for the 92^nd Amateur Championship.  We hope that you enjoy your experience in competing at a State Championship and take many favorable memories from your time at TPC Sawgrass and Sawgrass Country 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) 868-5850 or championships@fsga.org.

Pre-Registration Deadline

By 3:30 PM, Friday, June 19^th, each player must:

All qualifying players must remit to the FSGA office, $125 for advance payment of Championship fees.  Championship fees include tee gift, cart fees and range balls for all competitive and practice 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  Payment must be received by 3:30 PM, Friday, June 19^th, or you will be withdrawn from the Championship.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 players who qualify must meet the deadline of 3:30 PM, Friday, June 19^th. 

Championship Format

Seventy-two holes of individual stroke play. All players play eighteen holes each at TPC Sawgrass -  THE PLAYERS Stadium Course and at Sawgrass Country Club - East/West Course on Thursday, June 25^th and Friday, June 26^th.

The field will be cut to the low seventy players and ties after thirty-six holes. The final thirty-six holes will be played at TPC Sawgrass – THE PLAYERS Stadium Course. The lowest score for 72 holes will be the Champion. If necessary, there will be a three hole aggregate score play-off on holes 16, 17 & 18 to determine the champion. If the play-off results in a tie, play will immediately continue, hole by hole on holes 17 & 18. It is the player’s responsibility to be present for any playoff.

At Sawgrass Country Club – East/West Course the starting tees that will be used for the Championship are east (holes 1-9) and West (holes 10-18).

Tee Times & Groupings

Tee times and pairings groups will be arranged and posted on the FSGA website at www.fsga.org  on June 11th. All competitors with a valid email address on file with the FSGA or who have provided a cell number for texting will have a link to the pairings emailed or a text message sent to them.

Practice Rounds & Practice Facilities

Practice rounds are available one week prior to the Championship on a space available basis on both courses.  Practice rounds are restricted to after 12:00 PM on the weekend prior to the Championship. 

All players must take a cart.  The cost of the practice round, including range balls and cart, is $50 plus tax at TPC Sawgrass and $35 plus tax at Sawgrass Country Club. Players are allowed one practice round per course at the discounted rate.  The cost for any additional practice rounds at TPC Sawgrass will be at the current resort rate $275 plus tax and at Sawgrass Country Club the rate is $89 plus tax.  Only exempt and qualifying participants may play practice rounds. 

Starting times for your practice round can be arranged by calling the club. The golf shops telephone numbers are: TPC Sawgrass - (904) 273-3255 Sawgrass Country Club - (904) 273-3720.

You may not make your practice round tee time before groupings are made. Groupings will be made on Wednesday, June 10^th and faxed to the club that morning. 

Please do not call and bother this host site for tee times before the above date.

Players will be allowed to practice after their practice rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday and after each competitive round.  The practice facilities will close at 6:00 PM each day.  Any players playing a practice round before Tuesday, June 23^rd, will be allowed to use the practice facility before that round only.

The chipping green will be turned into a hybrid practice putting green for the Championship.  The main practice putting green behind the first green will be under renovation this summer.

Driving Range Hours

The driving ranges will open at 6:30 AM Thursday - Sunday.  Both driving ranges will remain open until 6:00 PM for the competitors to practice after their round each day. At TPC Sawgrass, please present your players badge to the driving range attendant. 

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.

TPC Sawgrass and Sawgrass Country Club

The Membership, PGA Tour, TPC Network and the Board of Directors of Sawgrass Country Club would like all of you to enjoy your experience during the Amateur Championship.  Please acknowledge their hospitality by following these guidelines:

·         Players are to change their shoes in the locker room; not in the parking lot.

·         Players are encouraged to use the services of the clubhouse including the buffets and grill room for food and beverage as well as the locker room and its services.

·         Gentlemen are prohibited from wearing their hats while in the club house.

·         Both clubs strictly prohibits the use cell phones, ear pieces & blackberry’s etc. on the golf course and in the club house.

Food & Beverage

At TPC Sawgrass, the players are encouraged to use the services of the clubhouse including the buffets and grill room for food and beverage. Players will be offered a 20% discount on the buffet.  To receive the discount players must show the staff at TPC Sawgrass the player’s badge.

Beginning on Tuesday (practice round), June 23^rd, Sawgrass Country Club will have a soup, sandwich  & salad buffet each day throughout the Championship available for all players and spectators at the cost of $15.00 per person. Players and their guests will also have the ability to order off the club’s menu.

Club Dress Codes

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

TPC Sawgrass

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

Sawgrass Country Club

Shirts with collars or mock turtle necks (at least 1 ¼ inches tall) and sleeves must be worn at all times. Slacks or golf shorts no more than 3” above the knee must be worn. No tank tops, cargo shorts, t-shirts, cutoffs, blue jeans, sweat pants, bathing suits or other athletic shorts are permitted. Shirts must be tucked in at all times. Hats must be removed while in the Grille Room Restaurant. Cargo shorts are not allowed.

Accommodations

Arrangements have been made at the Sawgrass Marriott for $99 per night; Single/Double Occupancy, plus 9% tax.  Also available is an Island Green Villa suite for a rate of $139; Single/Double Occupancy, plus 9% tax.

Reservations will be accepted on a call-in basis until June 12.  After this cut-off date, any uncommitted rooms from your group will be released and further reservation requests will be honored on a space and rate available basis. 

To make reservations please call 1-800-457-golf (4653) and ask for reservations.  Please identify yourself as an Amateur Championship participant. 

The Resort offers both valet and self-parking for all guests.  Valet parking is available at the main hotel entrance for a fee of $18.00 plus 6% tax, per night.  Self-parking is available at $6.00 plus 6% tax, per night.  All charges will be billed to your guest folio.

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.  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. FSGA Pace of Play Policy.

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 on each course will be on holes #9 and #18.
• All players in a group in breach 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 & Spectators

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.

Registration

There will a registration table set up in the President’s Cup Library at TPC Sawgrass 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 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 Friday, June 19^th you have pre-registered for the Championship.

Charges

Each club accepts cash, Visa/MasterCard, Discover 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.

Thank you and Good Luck!!

FSGA Championship Committee

Directions to TPC Sawgrass

(904) 273-3255

From Jacksonville International Airport: (approximately 35 min)

1. Head northwest toward Yankee Clipper Dr (49 ft)
2. Slight left at Yankee Clipper Dr (203 ft)
3. Slight left at Thomas Imeson Ave (0.3 mi)
4. Turn right to stay on Thomas Imeson Ave (43 ft)
5. Turn left to stay on Thomas Imeson Ave (404 ft)
6. Slight left at Dixie Clipper Dr (125 ft)
7. Slight right to stay on Dixie Clipper Dr looking for signs for Airport exit/Economy Parking (0.3 mi)
8. Slight right to stay on Dixie Clipper Dr (0.2 mi)
9. Slight left to stay on Dixie Clipper Dr toward signs for Jacksonville/Savannah/I-95 (0.1 mi)
10. Continue on SR-102 E (1.4 mi)
11. Merge onto I-95 S via the ramp to Jacksonville (1.6 mi)
12. Take exit 362A for SR-9A S toward Blount Island/Jax Beaches (0.2 mi)
13. Merge onto I-295 N (341 ft)
14. Continue on SR-9A S (18.3 mi)
15. Turn left to merge onto J Turner Butler Blvd/SR-202 E (7.5 mi)
16. Exit onto SR-A1A S toward Ponte Vedra/St Augustine (4.0 mi)
17. Turn right at PGA Tour Blvd (0.2 mi)
18. Turn left to stay on PGA Tour Blvd (0.1 mi)

From Orlando, Florida: (approximately 2 hours)

1. Head west on W South St toward Boone Ave (0.1 mi)
2. Merge onto I-4 E via the ramp to Daytona Beach (49.0 mi)
3. Take the exit on the left onto I-95 N toward Jacksonville (68.9 mi)
4. Take exit 329 for CR-210 toward Ponte Verde Beach/Green Cove Springs (0.3 mi)
5. Turn right at CR-210 (3.3 mi)
6. Turn left at US-1 N (0.6 mi)
7. Turn right at Palm Valley Rd (10.4 mi)
8. Turn left at SR-A1A N (0.5 mi)
9. Turn left at PGA Tour Blvd (0.2 mi)
10. Turn left to stay on PGA Tour Blvd (0.1 mi)

From Gainesville, Florida: (approximately 2 hours)

1. Head east on SR-20/SR-26 toward NE 3rd St (0.7 mi)
2. Turn left at SR-24 E (13.5 mi)
3. Slight right at US-301 N (36.3 mi)
4. Turn left to merge onto I-10 E (18.4 mi)
5. Take the exit onto I-95 S toward Jax Beaches/Daytona Beach (7.4 mi)
6. Take exit 344 for Butler Blvd/SR-202 toward Jax Beaches (0.3 mi)
7. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for SR-202 E (164 ft)
8. Slight left at J Turner Butler Blvd/SR-202 E (12.3 mi)
9. Exit onto SR-A1A S toward Ponte Vedra/St Augustine (4.0 mi)
10. Turn right at PGA Tour Blvd (0.2 mi)
11. Turn left to stay on PGA Tour Blvd (0.1 mi)

From Tallahassee, Florida: (approximately 3 hours)

1. Head north on US-27 toward E Jefferson St (3.5 mi)
2. Merge onto I-10 E via the ramp to Lake City (163 mi)
3. Take the exit onto I-95 S toward Jax Beaches/Daytona Beach (7.4 mi)
4. Take exit 344 for Butler Blvd/SR-202 toward Jax Beaches (0.3 mi)
5. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for SR-202 E (164 ft)
6. Slight left at J Turner Butler Blvd/SR-202 E (12.3 mi)
7. Exit onto SR-A1A S toward Ponte Vedra/St Augustine (4.0 mi)
8. Turn right at PGA Tour Blvd (0.2 mi)
9. Turn left to stay on PGA Tour Blvd (0.1 mi)

From Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Florida: (approximately 5 hours)

1.Head north on SW 27th Ave/SR-9 toward Cornelia Dr (0.8 mi)
2. Turn right at S Dixie Hwy/US-1 N (1.7 mi)
3. Continue on I-95 N towards signs for I-95 N (12.3 mi)
4. Slight left at Florida's Turnpike N towards signs for Florida's Turnpike N/SR-826 W
Toll road (110 mi)
5. Take exit 152 for SR-70 toward Ft Pierce/Vero Beach Partial toll road (0.5 mi)
6. Turn right at Okeechobee Rd/SR-70 E (0.7 mi)
7. Merge onto I-95 N via the ramp to Daytona Beach (201 mi)
8. Take exit 329 for CR-210 toward Ponte Verde Beach/Green Cove Springs (0.3 mi)
9. Turn right at CR-210 (3.3 mi)
10. Turn left at US-1 N (0.6 mi)
11. Turn right at Palm Valley Rd (10.4 mi)
12. Turn left at SR-A1A N (0.5 mi)
13. Turn left at PGA Tour Blvd (0.2 mi)
14. Turn left to stay on PGA Tour Blvd (0.1 mi)

Sawgrass Country Club

(904) 273-3720

From the South:  Take I-95 north to Jacksonville and take the J. Turner Butler Blvd. Exit and go east to the Beaches.  Take a right on HWY A1A and go south until you reach Country Club Drive.  Go east entering the Sawgrass Country Club north guard gate with your name and proceed to the Golf Clubhouse.

From the West:    Take I-10 East to I-95 South. Then I-95 South through Jacksonville to the J. Turner Butler Blvd. Exit and go east to the Beaches.  Take a right on HWY A1A and go south until you reach Country Club Drive.  Go east entering the Sawgrass Country Club north guard gate with your name and proceed to the Golf Clubhouse.

TPC Sawgrass

The Spectacular Flagship of PGA TOUR Golf Courses

Nearly 31 years after its conception, THE PLAYERS Stadium recently marked the final stages of a magnificent eight-month, multimillion-dollar golf course redesign. Regarded as the crown jewel of Northeast Florida, this stunning, Pete Dye-designed PGA TOUR golf course plays host to THE PLAYERS Championship – which annually attracts the strongest field in golf and is one of the PGA TOUR's most coveted titles. The course’s signature hole is the 17th – the iconic “island hole” and “The Most Photographed Hole in the World”. At once exciting and controversial, it tests even the skills of the world’s greatest golfers, including Tiger, Vijay, and Phil. Additional points of interest about this world-famous PGA TOUR golf course include:

• World-renowned, par-72 PGA TOUR golf course, marked by treacherous and sand waste areas, watery oppositions on every hole, and Scottish link-style bunkers, designed by Pete Dye
• Annual host site of THE PLAYERS Championship in May, which caters to an elite international field of PGA TOUR professionals, including Tiger Woods, Davis Love III, Fred Couples, Jim Furyk, and Vijay Singh
• #5 among Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 Courses You Can Play,” among numerous other awards
• Home of the most famous hole in golf, the signature #17 island green

Sawgrass Country Club

The Sawgrass Oceanside Course (East-West) gained its reputation as the home of THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP of The PGA TOUR from 1977 to 1981 when the course, along with the treacherous March winds, tested the greatest players in the game (see History). The par-72 East-West course has an array of spectacular golf holes, most notably the daunting par 5, East No. 4 with a tantalizing peek at the ocean as you make your way from the green to the next tee. And the par 3, West No. 6 (the signature hole) presents a panoramic view of one of the larger lakes on the course, a portion of which must be negotiated on the tee shot.