The Florida Open

64^th Florida Open Championship

Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club

Copperhead & Island Courses

Palm Harbor, Florida

July 16-18, 2010

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 Championships 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) 868-5850 or championships@fsga.org.     

Pre-Registration Deadline

By 12:00 PM, Monday, July 12^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.  Payment must be received by 12:00 PM, Monday, July 12th, or you will be withdrawn from the Championship.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 12^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 on the Copperhead Course.

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 (Copperhead Course), for the championship. If the play-off results in a tie, play will immediately continue, hole by hole on holes 10 & 18.  It is the player’s responsibility to be present for any playoff.

Carts, Caddies & Spectators

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.

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.  This means that either the caddie or the player may ride, but not both at the same time.  Spectators may NOT ride. 

Tee Times & Groups

Tee times and groups will be arranged and posted on the FSGA website in the tee times and player information section at www.fsga.org  on July 9^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 registered to receive tee times by text message.

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 2:00 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 $35 plus tax at each facility. Only exempt and qualifying participants may play practice rounds at the discounted rate.

You may not make your practice round tee time before groupings are made on Friday, July 9^th.

Starting times for your practice round can be arranged by calling the resort. The main telephone number for the Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club is (727) 942-2000.

Players will be allowed to practice after their practice rounds on Wednesday and Thursday and after each competitive round.  The Copperhead practice facility will close at 5 PM each day and the Island practice facility will close at 7 PM.  Any players playing a practice round before Wednesday, July 15^th, will be allowed to use the practice facility before that round only.

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 Friday and Saturday, 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

The driving ranges for each golf course will open at 6:30 AM Friday - Sunday. 

Titleist Ball Fitting

Titleist will be available on Thursday from 9 AM – 4 PM for a ball fitting at the Copperhead driving range.  Titleist will have limited staff and will be able to ball fit in groups of 4 – 5 players at a time. 

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

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 mock turtleneck shirts designed for golf is permitted.  Golf shorts are permitted.  No cargo shorts are allowed at either course.

Remember that you are guests at 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.

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

Accommodations

The headquarter hotel is the Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club. Arrangements have been made at the Resort for $99 for an Executive Suite $129 for a one bedroom suite and $189 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 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 be subject to 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 the Wednesday following the Championship.  The amateurs in the field will receive gift certificates immediately after all of the scores are accepted.

Registration

There will be a registration table set up 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 information will be available for pickup before the competitive rounds for players not playing a practice round on Thursday.

Charges

The resort 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 Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club

36750 US Highway 19 North

Palm Harbor, Florida, 34684-1239

(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.