Senior Four-Ball Championship

SARASOTA, Fla. – Miles McConnell and Pete Williams survived a playoff to capture the victory over William Mallon and Bobby Bird at the Senior Four-Ball Championship on Wednesday at The Founders Golf Club. The duo finished the week at 12-under 132. This is the fourth Senior Four-Ball win for Williams and his fourth in six years, while McConnell captures his first.

The teams of Mallon/Bird and McConnell/Williams both began the championship with a round of 65 to share the lead at 7 under after the first round. Mallon and Bird finished the first round bogey free with seven birdies. After a 1-under front side for McConnell and Williams in the first round, the pair caught fire on the back nine with seven birdies.

McConnell and Williams got off to a strong start in the final round with three birdies on the front side to take the outright lead at 10 under. Mallon and Bird added key birdies on the 10th and 13th to pull back into a tie for the lead at 10 under. Both teams added birdies on the par-4 16th hole to head to the final hole of the championship tied at the top.

Both Mallon and Bird went for the green in two, with both players narrowly missing their eagle putts, and Mallon finishing with a birdie. Williams rolled his putt in for birdie on the 18th to force a playoff.

On the first playoff hole, McConnell hit his second shot just off the green. The reigning Senior Player of the Year hit his chip shot to three inches and tapped it in for birdie to secure the victory for him and Williams.  

Mallon and Bird took home a runner-up finish, ending the championship with two rounds of 67. Rick Cloninger and Steve Riviere made a run at the title, firing a final-round 63 to finish in third place at 11-under 133. The duo moved 14 spots up the leaderboard, finishing the day bogey free with nine birdies.

Three teams finished the championship tied for fourth at 10-under 134.

Championship Format

• 36 holes of gross four-ball stroke play (no handicaps; commonly known as better-ball)
• Maximum Field Size - 52 teams (104 players)
• The lowest team score for 36 holes will be the Champion
  • if necessary, the field will be flighted into two or three flights for gift certificates based on Round 1 scores

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 55 years of age as of the first day of the Championship
• Both entrants are required to be members of the FSGA

Entry Fee

• $380 per team ($190 per player)
• Entry Fee includes all cart and course fees, lunch after the final round, and 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

Monday, September 18th

• 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM - Round One tee times off of #1 and #10

Tuesday, September 19th

• 8:30 AM - Final round Shotgun
• Awards ceremony and lunch provided following 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. A spot will be held for the previous years Champion.

Course Set-Up

The golf course will be set-up at approximately 6,400 - 6,600 yds.

Flighting

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 one week prior to the championship, limited to after 12:00 PM on the weekend, on a space available basis. Players may play a practcie round at the rate of $40 plus tax and includes a cart and range balls prior to the round. Please call 941-379-3701 to arrange your practice round. The proper place to practice your golf swing is on the driving range, hitting multiple shots on the course is unacceptable.

Defending Champions

Don Whittemore and Pete Williams captured the victory at the Senior Four-Ball Championship at Innisbrook Resort, finishing the week at 10-under 132. This is the third Senior Four-Ball win for Whittemore and Williams and their third in six years.

Click here for previous year's results

Exemptions Earned from this Tournament

Winner

• Next 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

There is currently no host hotel for this event.

Payment

The Founders Golf Club accepts all major credit cards as method of payment.

Directions

The Founders Golf Club
3800 Golf Hall Drive
Sarasota, FL 34240
941-379-3701

Click here for directions