Amateur Match Play Championship

18^th Amateur Match Play Championship

Old Corkscrew Golf Club

Estero, Florida

August 6-9, 2009

www.oldcorkscrew.com

Memorandum to Contestants

On behalf of the FSGA, congratulations on qualifying for the 18^th Amateur Match Play Championship.  We hope that you enjoy your experience in competing at a State Championship and take many favorable memories from your time at the Old Corkscrew 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.     

Registration Deadline

By 3:30 PM, Thursday, July 30^th, each player must:

All qualifying players must remit to the FSGA office, $125 per person for advance payment of Championship fees.  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 at www.fsga.org.  Payment must be received by 3:30 PM Thursday, July 30^th, or you will be withdrawn from the Championship. Exempt players are automatically pre-registered with a complete entry. Exempt players will only be charged the $160 Championship fee.

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, Thursday, July 30^th. 

Championship Format

18 holes of individual stroke play on Thursday (seeding round). Match play will begin on Friday morning.  Ties for seeds will be broken randomly.

Tee times & Groupings

Tee times and groups for the seeding round will be arranged and posted on the FSGA website at www.fsga.org  on or before July 22^nd. Players will be emailed a notice when pairings are posted and tee times will also be sent out via text message for those who signed up for text.

Practice Rounds & Practice Facilities

Practice rounds are available one week prior to the Championship.  Practice rounds will be restricted until after 12:00 PM on the weekends.  Only exempt and qualifying participants may play practice rounds. 

All players must use a cart and the cost of the practice round, including range balls and cart, is $30 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 Tuesday, July 21^st.   The Old Corkscrew Golf Club golf shop telephone number is 239-949-4700.

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.”

Lunch Buffets

At Old Corkscrew, the players are encouraged to use the services of the clubhouse including the buffets and grill room for food and beverage.

Dress Codes

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.

Remember that you are a guest of Old Corkscrew 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

Arrangements have been made at the Embassy Suites.  Please call 239-949-4222 to make your reservations. Click here to make your reservation.

Amenities

• Complimentary Cooked to Order Breakfast Buffet, Daily 6:00am-10:00am
• Complimentary Airport Shuttle
• Complimentary Daily Manager's Reception with your favorite beverage. 5:30pm – 7:30pm daily. 
• Complimentary USA Today
• Complimentary Wireless High Speed Internet
• Heated outdoor pool and spa
• On-site Fitness Room, Gift Shop & Business Center
• Free Local Calls
• On-site Restaurant, Eagle’s Nest Cafe
• Free On-site Parking

Additional, arrangements have been made at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Ft. Myers Airport/FGCU.  Please call 239-210-7303 to make your reservation.

            Amenities

• *Brand new hotel (opened 1 month ago) conveniently located right off I75, across the entrance to Gulf Coast Towne Center and 1 mile from the airport
• *133 Full Suite Hotel with most being 1 bedroom suites with king bed and pull out couch (into full size bed) in a separate room
• *Flat screen televisions in each room of suite, full size kitchen with amenities and complimentary high speed internet
• *Heated pool, fitness center, business center
• *Complimentary hot breakfast buffet everyday
• *Complimentary welcome home reception (beer, wine, light meal and snacks) Monday thru Thursday
• *Complimentary shuttle service to anything within a 5 mile radius (Gulf Coast Towne Center, Airport, FGCU, Germain Arena and Many other Golf Courses)

Pace of Play

The pace of play will be monitored.  If and when it should become necessary to give each player in the 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.

Caddies/Spectators

Spectators are always welcome at FSGA Championships.  However, 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.

Carts

All players must ride during the Championship rounds. 

Registration

There will a registration table set up at Old Corkscrew 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 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 Thursday, July 30^th, you have pre-registered for the Championship.

Charges

Old Corkscrew Golf Club accepts cash and Visa/MasterCard 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 Championships Committee

Directions to Old Corkscrew Golf Club, Estero, Florida

(239) 949-4700

I-75 – Driving North or South use exit 123.  Travel East on Corkscrew Road and the club will be seven miles on the right hand side.  Exit 123(seven miles East of I-75 – exit 123 – on Corkscrew Road)

THE JACK NICKLAUS PHILOSOPHY

“Designing a golf course is my total expression. My golf game can only go on so long. But what I have learned can be put into a piece of ground, and that will last beyond me.”
- Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus’ dedication and ingenuity has enhanced hundreds of spectacular courses worldwide. In Lee County, Southwest Florida, however, only Old Corkscrew Golf Club is highlighted by that spectacular designation – Jack Nicklaus Signature. Nicklaus Design, based in North Palm Beach, Florida, is working hand-in-hand with OCGC management to enhance the natural environment and create a course that is both challenging and enjoyable for players of all levels.

The Jack Nicklaus-designed par-72 championship layout meets the highest design criteria. Since OCGC is not part of a real estate development, this course is a “core” or “stand-alone” extraordinary golf experience. The course design has been developed to mesh precisely with the Corkscrew site’s outstanding natural assets – mature oak, pine and cypress trees and a natural flow way through the center of the property... adding up to one spectacular golf course.