The 2018 Florida Cup North Team will be led by 2017 Player of the Year and reining Mid-Amateur Champion, Marc Dull & 4-time FSGA Player of the Year / Senior Player of the Year, Doug LaCrosse.
The North will look to end the streak after dropping four consecutive cups, and even up the overall series at 6-6.
In addition to the two captain's, the North has David Anthony leading the team with his fifth Cup appearance, and in total has eight of it's sixteen members with past Florida Cup experience.
Joe Alfieri, Lutz
4th Appearance 4-1-1
Hometown: Lutz, FL
College: University of South Florida
Club: TPC Tampa Bay
Occupation: Senior Vice President - Sales & Strategy - Iris Brands
USGA Championships: 20
Joe is a four-time FSGA Player of the Year, and a perennial contender in FSGA Championships. In 2017 & 2018, Alfieri positioned himself in contention a lot. He finished 2nd in the '17 Four-Ball alongside his son, Cade, 3rd in the '17 Mid-Amateur Stroke Play Championship, behind North teammates Marc Dull & Chip Brooke, advanced to the semifinals of the '17 Mid-Amateur, and advanced to the Round of 32 at the '17 US Mid-Amatuer. In 2018, Joe took his game to another level. After an early exit at the Mid-Amateur Championship, in a grueling match with Marc Dull, Alfieri would storm into the summer. Playing in the final pairings at both the Amateur Championship, and Florida Open, Alfieri finished T4 & 2nd respectively. Joe then earned medalist honors at the Amateur Match Play Championship, and would advance to the semifinals. He will make his third USGA Championship appearance this year at the Mid-Amateur after also qualifying for both the US Four-Ball Championship and US Amateur.
David Anthony, Jacksonville
5th Appearance 9-3-0Hometown: Lynchburg, VA
College: Hampden-Sydney College
Club: Marsh Landing Country Club, Ponte Vedra Beach
Occupation: Semi-retired
USGA Championships: 5
Over the last three FSGA Senior Amateurs, David has posted finishes of T2, T5 & 3rd, contending down the stretch all three years. In 2017, Anthony advanced to the quarterfinals of the Senior Amateur Match Play Championship. In addition to his play at the Senior Amateur in 2018, Anthony posted a T6 in the Senior / Mid-Amateur Four-Ball with Steve Carter, T8 in the Florida Senor Open and T7 in the Mid-Senior Championship. Anthony also has a reputation of being one of the strongest match play team competitors, hoisting a 9-3-0 record in the Florida Cup & a 5-3-2 record in the Southeastern Challenge Matches.
Robert Bechtol, Tallahassee
1st Appearance
Hometown: Tallahassee, FL
College: Florida State University
Club: Southwood Golf Club
Occupation: A/R & Fixed Assets Supervisor - City of Tallahassee; Powerball Lottery Manager
USGA Championships: 2
Robert captured the 2017 Mid-Amateur Championship at John's Island West, qualified for the Florida Amateur, Florida Open, Match Play and Four-Ball Championship (with brother-in-law & Florida Cup North Teammate Steve Carter), and represented Florida in the Southeastern Challenge Matches. In 2018, Robert advanced to match play at the Mid-Amateur in his title defense. In addition to his state accomplishments, Bechtol captured the 2000 Tallahassee City Championship, and holds four Club Championships at Southwood.
Chip Brooke, Heathrow
1st Appearance
Hometown: Altamonte Springs, FL
College Attended: Central Alabama
Club: Heathrow Country Club
Occupation: Sales / Account Manager
USGA Championships: 5
Chip found his first success in FSGA Championships with a breakthrough at the 2016 Mid-Amateur Championship at Black Diamond. In 2017, along with Marc Dull, Brooke reached the semifinals of the US Four-Ball Championship at Pinehurst. Later that summer, he continued to show his affliction for Black Diamond, finishing T7 and sharing low-amateur honors, with Chris Carlin, at the Florida Open. In 2017, Brooke represented Team Florida in the Southeastern Challenge Matches. Brooke & Dull continued their US Four-Ball success in 2018 advancing to the final match at Jupiter Hills Club before falling to junior standouts Cole Hammer & Garrett Barber. Other top finishes over the last two years include: Semifinalist of '17 Mid-Amateur, 2nd at '17 Mid-Amateur Stroke Play, and advancing to the Round of 16 at both the Mid-Amateur & Amateur Match Play in 2018.
Steve Carter, Saint Augustine
3rd Appearance 3-3-0
Hometown: Saint Augustine, FL
College Attended: University of North Florida
Club: St Johns Golf & Country Club
Occupation: Financial Advisor
USGA Championships: 7
In addition to being the President of the Florida State Golf Association in 2018, Steve played some fantastic golf, including some strong team event finishes with multiple North team teammates. In 2017, along with Robert Bechtol, he posted a T13 in the Four-Ball Championship and T9 in the Mid-Senior Four-Ball North, followed by a T6 at the 2018 Mid-Amateur Four-Ball North. Carter finished runner-up in the Two-Man Shoot-Out in both 2017 & 2018 along with Bob Campione. In the 2018 season opening event, Steve paired up with David Anthony to finish T6 at the Senior / Mid-Amateur Four-Ball Championship. Individually in 2018, Carter advanced to the Round of 16 at the Mid-Amateur Championship, qualified for both the Amateur (T37) and Florida Open (MC), finished T7 in the Mid-Senior Championship and qualified for the US Mid-Amateur. Previously, Steve is a five-time FSGA Champion and was a two-time NAIA All-American selection at UNF in college.
Bob Campione, Palm Coast
3rd Appearance 1-2-3
Hometown: Palm Coast, FL
College: Lynn University
Club: Hammock Dunes Golf Club, Palm Coast
Occupation: Vice President of Sales – TD Ameritrade
USGA Championships: 0
Campione's 2017 & 2018 campaign saw lots of success. He partnered with Steve Carter to finish runner-up at the Two-Man Shoot-Out in both 2017 & 2018. Teaming with Clayton Brewer, the duo captured the 2017 Mid-Amateur Four-Ball North Championship, then followed up by finishing 3rd in the same event in 2018. He would capture the 2018 Senior / Mid-Amateur Four-Ball Championship with Doug Snoap at Stone Creek Golf Club. Bob also posted a T12 finish at the 2018 Mid-Senior Championship. Bob is looking forward to his 3rd appearance, with this edition being special at his home club.
Daniel Debra, Lutz
3rd Appearance 2-4-0
Hometown: Lutz, FL
College: Furman University
Club: None
Occupation: Business Owner
USGA Championships: 5
2017 saw Debra partner with Don Whittemore to finish 2nd in both the Mid-Senior & Mid Amateur Four-Ball North Championships and advance to the Round of 32 at the Amateur Match Play. The 2018 season saw Whittemore & Debra put forth four more quality Four-Ball appearances, finishing T3 at the Senior / Mid-Amateur Four-Ball, T7 at the Mid-Amateur Four-Ball Championship North, T19 at the Four-Ball Championship and winning the Mid-Senior Four-Ball Championship North. Individually, Debra posted a solo 3rd at the Mid-Senior Championship and qualified for the US Mid-Amateur.
Co-Captain Marc Dull, Winter Haven
2nd Appearance 2-1-0
Hometown: Lakeland, FL
College: Florida Southern College
Club: Wherever there is a tournament or match to be had
Occupation: Small Business Owner & Caddie at Streamsong Resort
USGA Championships: 9
Marc Dull has burst into the Mid-Amateur golf scene over the last few seasons. After a run to the finals in the 2015 US Mid-Amateur at John's Island, Dull has built on that confidence and taken his game to another level. He posted T2 at the Senior / Mid-Amateur Four-Ball with Bob Levy, reached the quarterfinals of the Mid-Amateur, advanced to the semifinals of the US Four-Ball Championship with Chip Brooke, T18 at the 100th Amateur at The Bear's Club, semifinals of the Amateur Match Play Championship, qualified for the US Mid-Amateur & won the Mid-Amateur Stroke Play Championship to earn FSGA Player of The Year Honors. In 2018, he just improved on that. He started the year capturing the prestigious Gasparilla Invitational at Palma Ceia, holding off North teammates Mike Finster & Joe Alfieri down the stretch, among others. Posted T3 in the Senior / Mid-Amateur Four-Ball Championship, and won the Mid-Amateur Championship. In May, Marc returned to the US Four-Ball with Chip Brooke, and the duo ran one round deeper all the way to the finals of the National Championships. In June, Dull stood toe-to-toe with Gabe Lench, holding a one-stroke lead on the tee of the 72nd hole, when Lench made birdie to force a play-off and eventually defeat Dull on the second play-off hole. A month later at the Florida Open, Dull was right back in contention through two rounds again. He also is exempt into 2018 US Mid-Amateur Championship.
Michael Finster, St Petersburg
1st Appearance
Hometown: Tampa, FL
College Attended: Northwestern University
Club: Mangrove Bay Golf Club
Occupation: Manager
USGA Championships: 4
Michael has qualified for the last four US Senior Open Championships, and has made the cut the last two years. In the fall of 2017, Mike teamed with Brian Armstrong to capture the Mid-Senior Four-Ball Championship at World Woods, and shot 62 on his own ball in Round 1. In 2018, he paired with Armstrong again to T3 in the Four-Ball Championship, and posted finishes of T5 and solo 7th in the Florida Open & Florida Senior Open respectively. Outside of FSGA competition, Finster has four runner-up finishes at the Gasparilla Invitational at Palma Ceia, including finishing second to Marc Dull in 2018.
Jimmy Jones, Sr
3rd Appearance
Hometown: Tampa, FL
College Attended: Florida State University
Club: Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club
Occupation: Golf Equipment Manufacturer
Jimmy finished runner-up at the 2017 Summer Mixed Championship alongside Terese Romeo, then captured the 2017 Senior Four-Ball Championship with partner Gordon Marshall. 2018 saw Jones post top 15's at the Senior Amateur, Florida Senior Open & Mid-Senior Championships, as well as advance to the Round of 16 at the Senior Amateur Match Play. Jimmy lists some of his other top past golf accomplishments as representing Team Florida at two Southeastern Challenge Matches, and capturing the 2013 Parent-Child Championship with his son, Jimmy, Jr.
Richard Kerper, Oldsmar
1st Appearance
Hometown: Oldsmar, FL
In 2017, Kerper posted steady finishes of T13 in the Senior Amateur and T3 in the Senior Four-Ball. Richard started the 2018 season by finishing T4 in the Senior Amateur Championship at Mayacoo Lakes. At the Senior Match Play in June, he would finish 2nd in stroke play, then advance to the semifinals. Richard's highlight of the two years came at the 2018 US Senior Amateur Championship where he advanced to the Round of 64.
Cameron Knight, Lutz
1st Appearance
Hometown: Lutz, FL
College Attended: Florida State University
Club: None
Occupation: Sales Representative
USGA Championships: 3
Knight was a standout in the early 2000's on the Florida Junior Tour, won the Inaugural Boys 16-18 Points Championship in 2003-2004, and went on to compete at Florida State. After a brief stint as a professional, the 2006 Match Play Champion, returned in 2017 to make match play at the FSGA Mid-Amateur Championship. Later that summer he would qualify for both the US Amateur & US Mid-Amateur Championships. In 2018, Knight would finish 2nd in the Mid-Amateur Four-Ball North, T12 in the Public Links & T29 in the Amateur Championship. Additionally, Knight captured the 2018 Henry Camp Invitational at Ocala Golf Club.
Non-Playing Captain Doug LaCrosse, Tampa
3 Appearances 5-2-2
Hometown: Tampa, FL
College: University of South Florida
Club: Palma Ceia Country Club & Avila Golf Club, Tampa
Occupation: Menacing the South Team, Beating Rick Woulfe
USGA Championships: 20
There is not a good spot to start or stop on Captain LaCrosse's resume. Doug has earned 4 FSGA Player of the Year Honors (3 Amateur & 1 Senior) and finished second in the Senior Player of the Year Points List multiple times to Rick Woulfe. He captured the 1992 Amateur Championship, 2013 Senior Amateur Championship & 2018 Super-Senior Amateur Championship. In 2017, LaCrosse finished T2 at the Senior Amateur, advanced to the Round of 16 at the Senior Amateur Match Play, and made the cut with the "young guns" at the 100th Amateur Championship at the age of 65. In 2018, Doug won the Super-Senior Championship, then finished T4 one week later in the Senior Amateur. He also advanced to the quarterfinals of both the Super-Senior Match Play Championship and Senior Match Play Championships.
Miles McConnell, Tampa
1st Appearance
Hometown: Tampa, FL
College: University of South Florida
Club: Bloomindale Golfers Club
Occupation: Restaurant Owner / Real Estate
USGA Championships: 8
McConnell concluded his summer of 2018 with a bang, first capturing low amateur honors at the Florida Senior Open, then winning his first FSGA Championship at the Mid-Senior Championship, firing 14-under-par for 54 holes. McConnell's other top finishes over the last two seasons include: Quarter-finalist at '17 & '18 Mid-Amateur Championships, T15 - '17 Florida Senior Open, T7 - '17 Mid-Amateur Stroke Play, T8 - '18 Public Links and T21 - '18 Amateur Championship.
Daniel Owen, Ocala
1st Appearance
Hometown: Ocala, FL
College: Liberty University
Club: Ocala Golf Club
Occupation: Vice President, Pro Poly of America
USGA Championships: 2
Daniel Owen's 2017 highlight was advancing to the Round of 16 at the Mid-Amateur Championship. He also posted top 10's in the Senior / Mid-Amateur Four-Ball, Mid-Amateur Four-Ball North and Mid-Senior Four-Ball North in 2017. In 2018, Owen qualified for the US Senior Open Championship, finished T18 in the Florida Senior Open Championship, T5 in the Mid-Senior Championship and T4 in the Mid-Senior Four-Ball North. Owen also captured the 1998 State Amateur Championship.
Kelly Sellers, Bartow
1st Appearance
Hometown: Bartow, FL
College: None
Club: Bartow Golf Club
Occupation: Caddie
USGA Championships: 2
In 2017, Sellers advanced to the Round of 32 at the Mid-Amateur Championship and then went on to capture the Four-Ball Championship alongside Tiger Godwin. Kelly's 2018 campaign saw him advance to the US Four-Ball Championship alongside Tiger, qualify for the Amateur Championship and finish T19 along Tiger at the Four-Ball Championship.
Don Whittemore, Temple Terrace
3rd Appearance 4-2-0
Hometown: Temple Terrace, FL
College: University of Florida
Home Club: Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club and Old Memorial Golf Club
Occupation: Corporate & Real Estate Attorney
Number of USGA Championships: 0
Don Whittemore will make his first Florida Cup appearance as a Senior after two previous appearances. Whittemore's 2017 campaign saw him finish T22 at the Senior Amateur, advance to the quarterfinals of the Senior Match Play, make the cut at the Florida Senior Open, and place 2nd in both the Mid-Amateur & Mid-Senior Four Ball North Championships along side Daniel Debra. In 2018, Whittemore would finish 2nd at the Senior Amateur, falling in a play-off to Bill Barnes, after chasing him down in the final round, earn medalist honors at the Senior Match Play and advance to the semifinals, make the cut at the Florida Senior Open, and win the Mid-Senior Four-Ball North with Daniel Debra. The Florida Gator alum has been a been contender in FSGA Championships for decades, and was a 1978 AJGA 1st Team All-American Selection.
