Senior Four-Ball Championship

Vero Beach, Fla. - Indian River Club played host to Florida's best Senior and Super-Senior players as they paired-up to take home this year's Senior Four-Ball Championship.

Senior

Defending champs, Pete Williams and Don Whittemore, came out hot firing a first round 65 (-7). This put them into a tie for second with the team of Elso Caponi and Bobby Bell, both teams just one stroke behind first round leaders Joe Shaktman and Rick Woulfe (-8). The formidable duo of Shaktman/Woulfe pay rent at the top of FSGA Championship leaderboards, a tough pair to dethrone. Both Shaktman and Woulfe hoped to continue their solid play after carding rounds of 69 (-3) on their own balls.

The final round was nothing but a shoot-out between the teams at the top. The first round leaders, Shaktman/Woulfe, fired yet another impressive 64 (-8) to take their total to 128 (-16). However, this was just not enough to keep the lead from the red-hot defending champs. Pete Williams and Don Whittemore combined for 7 birdies and 2 eagles during Wednesday's final round. Their rounds of 65-61--126 (-18) gave them a two-stroke victory over our first round leaders. The teams of Jimmy Jones/Richard Kerper and Brian Keenan/Paul Royak each came firing back with finals rounds of 63 (-8), but came up short and in a tie for third. Williams and Whittemore look to continue their dominance as they represent Team Florida in this year's Southeastern Challenge.

Full Results 

Super-Senior

Much like the Senior Division, the Super-Senior defending champs started off on the right foot. The team of Steve Sponder and Marc Rosenbaum finished round 1 at 67 (-5), good enough for a two-stroke lead over second place. The teams of Bobby Lundquist/Jerry Young and Robert Cunningham/Ronald Cornette looked to chase down the defending champs after their rounds of 69 (-3) on Tuesday. Birdies were needed in a hurry for either team to catch Sponder/Rosenbaum.

Wednesday brought a little more drama as the leadboard became much tighter. Low numbers were to be had - the teams of Pete Andrews/Skip Lujack and Joseph Branconi/Tom Grady each fired final rounds of 66 (-6), but were just too far back to start the day. Our first round leaders, Sponder/Rosenbaum, played a steady final round and ended with a clutch birdie on their last to secure their round of 70 (-2). The team of Cornette and Cunningham came roaring back with a round of 68 (-4) to tie the first round leaders at 137 (-7) total. However, both teams were edged by the team of Bobby Lundquist and Jerry Young. Lundquist/Young had their own heroics by topping the birdie made by Steve Sponder and Marc Rosenbaum on the last hole of regulation. This putt gave Lundquist and Young a two-day total of 136 (-8), and the outright victory.

Full Results 

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The Senior Four-Ball is a perfect opportunity for a golfing road trip with a friend. Two days of four-ball, flighted after day one, makes for an enjoyable and competitive golfing environment with a great destination - Vero Beach. Indian River Club is a favorite of many and has hosted numerous FSGA Championships and USGA Qualifying events over the past years. The Championship has two divisions: Senior and Super-Senior. To play in the Super-Senior Division, both players need to be 65 years old as of the first day of the Championship. Click here to see the past results. 

Championship Format

• 36 holes of four-ball stroke play (gross)
• Senior Division - Age 55 & Over
• Super-Senior Division - Age 65 & Over (both competitors must be aged 65, or team will compete in Senior Division, from Senior Tee)

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 a best-ball.

Entry Fee

• $320 per team GHIN Members or Foundation Member
• $340 per team Non-GHIN Members

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

Championship Field Size

Maximum of 42 teams - 84 players

Eligibility

• Male amateur golfers
• Both players must be at least 55 years of age as of the first day of the Championship
• Both players are required to be members of the FSGA

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.

Schedule of Events

Tuesday, September 24th

• 8:00 AM - 10:06 AM - Round 1 tee times off 1st & 10th tees

Wednesday, September 25th

• 8:30 AM - Round 2 shotgun start
• Lunch & Awards immediately following

Divisions

• 55-64 - Senior Age Division
• 65 & Over - Super-Senior Age Division
• All teams will compete in the age division commensurate with the youngest player's age as of the first day of the Championship.

Course Set-Up

The golf course will be set-up at approximately

• 6,400-6,500 yards - Senior
• 6,100-6,200 yards - Super Senior

Practice Rounds

Practice rounds are available one week prior to the Championship with the following restrictions.

• Tuesday - Friday, after 10:00 AM, on a space available basis
• Saturday - Sunday, after 12:00 PM, on a space available basis
• Monday - no restrictions - tee times begin at 9:00 AM

The price for a practice round is $30.00 + tax. Please call 772-569-5066 to arrange your practice round. Tee times may be booked one week in advance to the day you wish to play a practice round

Defending Champions

The 2018 Senior Four-Ball was an exciting event at the Golf Club of South Hampton. In the Senior Division the team of Pete Williams and Don Whittemore shot a two day total of 63-66--129 (-15), and won their division on the second playoff hole. The Super-Senior Division, was won by the team of Steve Sponder and Marc Rosenbaum who shot a two day total of 66-65--131 (-13), staying three strokes clear of the second place team. Click here for the 2018 results. 

Carts are included for all competitive rounds. Players are responsible for practice round fees.

Scorecards

Only one of the partners per team need sign the score card and each score to count must be individually identifiable.  See Rule 31-3.

Exemptions Earned from this Tournament

Winner

• Next year's Senior Four-Ball Championship (55-64 Age Division)

Other Policies

• Spectators and Spectator Cart Policy - Click here.
• Caddies - Caddies are allowed in all FSGA Championships except Junior events. However, a player must not use a parent, step-parent or guardian as a caddie. The caddie MUST walk and the player's clubs must remain on the golf cart. 
• 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, Florida 32967
772-978-9292

May 1 - December 31, 2019 - $124 per night plus tax. - Single/Double Occupancy Suites.

For reservations please call 772-978-9292 and ask for the Senior Four-Ball Championship Block. Our front desk associates will look up the group block and extend the special rate and finish making their reservation.

Must book by 9/9/2019 to receive room rate.

Method of Payments

Cash and All Major Credit Cards

Directions

Indian River Club
800 Carolina Circle SW
Vero Beach, FL 32962
772-569-5066

Click here for Directions