The Florida Open

63^rd Florida Open

Quail Valley Golf Club & John’s Island Club West

Vero Beach, Florida

July 17-19, 2009

Memorandum to Contestants

On behalf of the FSGA and the PGA Sections operating in Florida, congratulations on qualifying for the Florida Open.  We hope that you enjoy your experience in competing in one of Florida’s oldest Championships and take many favorable memories from your time at Quail Valley Golf Club and John’s Island Club West.

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 12:00 PM, Monday, July 13^th, each player must pre-register:

All qualifying professional players must remit $250 and amateur players must remit $150 per player for advance payment of Championship fees.  Championship fees include tee gift, cart fees and range balls for all competitive rounds.  Players should pay by credit card online through the My FSGA Account section at www.fsga.org.  (Checks mailed to the FGSA are also acceptable)  Payment must be received by 12:00 PM, Monday, July 13th, or you will be withdrawn from the Championship.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 and your place in the field will be filled by an alternate.  We stress that all players who qualify must meet the pre-registration deadline of 12:00 PM, Monday, July 13^th,

Championship Format

Championship (54 Holes) - the Championship field of 156 players will be split for rounds 1 & 2 between the two championship courses.  Over the first two rounds, each player will play one round at each course.  After two rounds, the field will be cut to the low 60 players and ties with the final round being conducted at Quail Valley Golf Club.

The lowest score for 54 holes will be the Champion. If necessary, there will be a three hole aggregate score play-off on holes 16, 17 & 18, for the championship. If the play-off results in a tie, play will immediately continue, hole by hole on holes 18 & 10.  It is the player’s responsibility to be present for any playoff.

Carts

Players can either ride or walk during the Championship rounds.  However, all players including those who choose to walk must adhere to the established FSGA Pace of Play Policy.  Only two carts per group.

Caddies & Spectators

Spectators and caddies are always welcome at FSGA Championships. Players or caddies are allowed to ride in carts, but each player is entitled to only one seat in the cart, which may be shared between the player and his caddie.  Spectators may NOT ride. 

Tee Times & Groupings

Tee times and groups will be arranged and posted on the FSGA website at www.fsga.org  on July 10^th.   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 on a space available basis on both courses.  Practice rounds are restricted to after 12:00 PM on the weekend prior to the Championship. 

Players can either walk or ride during their practice round and the cost of the practice round, including range balls and cart is $25 plus tax at each facility. Players are allowed one practice round per course at the discounted rate.  The cost for any additional practice rounds is $100.  Only exempt and qualifying participants may play practice rounds. 

You may not make your practice round tee time before groupings are made on Friday, July 10^th.

Starting times for your practice round can be arranged by calling the club. The golf shops telephone numbers are: Quail Valley Golf Club - (772) 299-0093 John’s Island Club West - (772) 231-8615.

Players will be allowed to practice after their practice rounds on Wednesday and Thursday and after each competitive round.  The practice facilities will close at 6:00 PM each day.  Any players playing a practice round before Wednesday, July 15^th, will be allowed to use the practice facility before that round only.

Driving Range Hours

The driving ranges will be open at 6:45 AM Friday - Sunday.  Both driving ranges will remain open until 6:00 PM for the competitors to practice after their first and second round.

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.”

Quail Valley Golf Club and John’s Island Club West

The Membership, Management and the Board of Directors of Quail Valley Golf Club and John’s Island West would like all of you to enjoy your experience during the Florida Open.

·        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 on the golf course and in the club house.

Lunch Buffets

Beginning Wednesday, July 15^th players will be allowed to order off the menu in the grill room. 

During the Championship rounds, there will be a complimentary player’s buffet set up at both golf courses.  Players will need to show their player badge to the club’s staff to receive lunch.  Lunches for your spectators and caddies will be available.  The price will be posted at each club.

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.  Golf shorts are permitted.  No cargo shorts allowed at either club.

Remember that you are guests of at both facilities. 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.

Caddies Dress Code – All caddies, spectators and family members should wear golf attire.  Caddies should wear golf shirts with a collar.

Accommodations

Click on the link for hotels in the Vero Beach area.  Then click on the hotel icon.  The FSGA does not have a host hotel.   Click Here.

Pace of Play Policy – Checkpoint System

In order to accommodate 156 players, it is essential that the game be played at a brisk pace and the stated pace of play for each course will be approximately 4:30 in groups of three. 

The FSGA uses a checkpoint pace of play system at all competitions that it conducts in the state of Florida.  There are NO warnings to the players and players are not timed.  Each group must complete each nine within the stated time or within 15 minutes of the group ahead or each player in the group will receive a one stroke penalty (two strokes for a second breach).  This pace of play policy places the full responsibility for pace of play on the players.  FSGA Pace of Play Policy.

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

• Players will not receive warnings.
• Players are not timed
• 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 at 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.

Purse Pay Out

The golf professional purse will be mailed to the professionals address from their entry by Wednesday following the Championship.  The amateurs in the field will receive gift certificates immediately after all of the scores are accepted.

Registration

There will a registration table set up at Quail Valley Golf Club 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 Thursday.

Charges

Each club accepts cash or 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 Quail Valley Golf Club

(772) 299-0093

6545 Pinnacle Drive, Vero Beach, FL. 32967

From US 1 - take US 1 to 69th Street (SR 508).  Go west approximately 3.5 miles and the Club will be on the left.

From I-95 (From the North) - Take exit 156 to Fellsmere/Sebastian Exit.  Head east to SR-510.  Turn right on SR-510 and continue to the stop light at 66th Avenue.  Turn right on 66th Avenue, continue south to 69th Street, turn right (west) and go approximately just over 1 mile -    the Club is on the left.

From I-95 (From the South) - Exit 147 (Vero Beach/Lake Wales Exit SR 60).  Turn right and go east on SR 60.  From there turn left on 66th Avenue north until you reach 69th Street.  Then go back west (take a left) on 69th Street and they will see the Golf Club approximately 3/4 of a mile on the left.  From the I-95 Exit it will take approximately 15 minutes to arrive at Quail Valley. 

From Orlando International Airport to I-95 - Take SR-528/Beeline east to I-95 south.  From here follow directions above (From I-95).

From Palm Beach International Airport to I-95 - Take Belvedere Road east to I-95 north.  From here follow directions above.

John’s Island West

(772) 231-8615

5804 87^th Street, Sebastian, FL.  32958

From Points North:

Take I-95 to exit 156, CR 512 (Fellsmere/Sebastian exit).  Turn left (east) onto 512 and travel 2.5 miles to CR 510.  Turn right on 510 and travel 5.5 miles.  Just past 58^th Avenue, look for a St. Vincent De Paul on 55^th Ave.  Turn left and follow 55^th until it ends.  Take a left onto John’s Island West property.  Follow road past the guard gate up to clubhouse.

From Points South and Hotels by I-95 in Vero Beach:

Take I-95 to exit 147 (Vero Beach exit).  Turn right (east) onto FL-60 and travel 4.3 miles to 58^th Ave.  Turn left (north) on 58^th and travel 7.3 miles to CR 510.  Turn right on 510, and go .2 miles to 55^th Ave. on the left (watch for St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Shop). Turn left and follow 55^th until it ends.  Take a left onto John’s Island West property.  Follow road past the guard gate up to clubhouse.

From Hotels in Vero Beach:

Take US 1 north roughly 8 miles (depending on which hotel) to CR 510.  Turn left (west) on 510 and travel .4 miles to 55^th Ave. on right (watch for St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Shop). Turn right and follow 55^th until it ends.  Take a left onto John’s Island West property.  Follow road past the guard gate up to clubhouse.