Forty & Over Four-Ball Championship (South)

TAMPA, Fla.- Seventy-eight teams of two across two different golf courses began play on Saturday, but two teams were crowned victorious in extra holes at the Forty & Over Four-Ball Championships. John Crum and Greg Eckels took home the trophy at Ocala Golf Club, while William Mallon and Bobby Bird won at Vero Beach Country Club. 

South

Down in Vero Beach, Brandon Smith and Tim Hanlon were the first group off in the first round and they took full advantage of the early conditions. They would grasp the early lead after making six birdies on their opening nine holes, including five birdies in a row from the fifth to the ninth holes. They would never look back and add one more birdie along with an eagle on the par-five, 15th hole. The Smith/Hanlon team would end their day with an impressive 9-under par 63. This would be enough only for a one-shot lead at the end of day's play. 

The local pair of William Mallon and Bobby Bird would finish the day close on the leader's heels after firing an opening round of 8-under 64. The pair would look to utilize some of Bird's home course knowledge to challenge for the title on Sunday. This would set up for an exciting finish on Sunday with ten teams within five shots of the lead.

The final round of the championship proved to provide more of a challenge with scores being much higher than day one. With that being said, the Mallon/Bird team did not waiver. Only carding one bogey on the day, the team added five birdies to shoot a day two score of 4-under 68 for a two-day total of 132. Going into the last hole, Mallon and Bird knew they needed to make birdie to tie the leaders of Smith and Hanlon, and they did just that. Keeping the momentum, Bobby Bird defended his home course by hitting his approach shot. He only needed two putts to win the title and give the team the trophy.

Format

• 36 holes of gross four-ball stroke play (commonly known as two-person best-ball)
• Maximum Field Size - 52 teams (104 players)
• The lowest team score for 36 holes will be the Champion

What is a Four-Ball? A four-ball is a two person team where the low score of the two players on each hole is counted. It is commonly referred to as best ball.

Eligibility 

• Male amateur golfers at least 40 years of age as of the first day of the Championship
• Both entrants are required to be members of the FSGA
• Active Florida GHIN of 15.0 or less at time of entry

Entry Fee

• $360 per team
• Entry fee includes any course fees and cart fees, and FSGA Tee Gift

Late entries will be accepted subject to a $10 late entry fee should the entrant gain acceptance into the field.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, June 3rd

• 6:45 AM - 9:00 AM - Registration outside the proshop
• 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM - Round one tee times off of #1 and #10

Sunday, June 4th

• 8:00 AM - Shotgun
• Awards ceremony immediately following the completion of play

Entry Priority

Entries will be accepted based upon the order of receipt. Entries received after the competitive field is full or after the close of entries, will be placed on an alternates list. Alternates will be contacted in the order of receipt of entry, if and when, a spot becomes available.

Course Set-Up

The golf course will be set-up at approximately 6,600 - 6,700 yards. 

Flights

After 18 holes, the number of flights will be based on the number of teams and the range of scores.

Practice Rounds

Practice rounds are available for $40.00 + tax on a space available basis at the following times:

• One week prior to the event, limited to after 12:00 PM on the weekend prior

Please call the proshop at (772) 562-2775 to reserve a practice round time. The proper place to practice your golf swing is on the driving range. Hitting multiple balls on the golf course is unacceptable.

Defending Champions

Samuel Martinez and Milko Brito secure the Forty & Over Four-Ball Championship (South) in a dramatic finish on Sunday at the Fox Club. Martinez and Brito birdied four out of the last five holes to force a play-off. Brito then went on to birdie the third play-off hole to capture the win for their team.

Click here to view the results.

Exemptions Earned from this Tournament

Winner

• Current year's Four-Ball Championship

Other Policies

• Spectators and Spectator Cart Policy -  Click here.
• Caddies - Caddies are NOT permitted in FSGA Championships and FSGA qualifying rounds per the FSGA Code of Conduct; except at the Florida Open, Florida Women's Open & Senior Open, and the Florida Senior Open. - Click here 
• Championship Pace of Play Policy - Click here.
• Local Rules and Terms of the Competition - Click here.
• Championship Policies - Click here to read the withdrawal, dress code, and other policies.
• Procedures for Alternates - Click here for information on how alternates may gain entry into this Championship.
• Conditions/ Schedule - The FSGA Championships Committee/on-site Rules Committee reserves the right to alter any of the conditions, provisions and/or schedules. The decision of the Championships Committee/on-site Rules Committee in any matter will be final. 

Host Hotel and Accommodations

SpringHill Suites Vero Beach

5115 Indian River Blvd
Vero Beach, FL 32967
(772) 978-9292

Room Information

• 1 King Bed w/ Sofa Bed - $164/night
• 2 Queen w/ Sofa Bed - $154/night

Booking Deadline: May 3rd, 2023

Book your room here.

Payment

Vero Beach Country Club accepts cash, check, Visa, and Mastercard.

Directions

Vero Beach Country Club
800 30th St.
Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772) 567-3320

Click here for directions