Senior/Mid-Amateur Four-Ball Championship

                                                                                     Doug Snoap & Bob Campione

OCALA - The Senior / Mid-Amateur Four-Ball begins the Men's Championship season every year in exciting fashion. In its 15th year of existence, the tournament boasts a strong field annually that sets the tone for the remainder of the championship season. This year the tournament was hosted by the well known Stone Creek golf Club, in beautiful Ocala, and featured many past amateur champions in the field. 

The Senior / Mid Amateur Four-Ball Championship is a tournament where two men, one aged 25-54 and the over aged 55 and over, compete in a "best ball" format over two days. This years tournament saw a strong field of 80 men compete for the title across a golf course that normally churns out some pretty low scores. Stone Creek recently held a Florida Junior Tour event where the winner, Roberto Nieves, finished at 9-under par for two days. 

Last years champions, Daniel Eggertsson, of Royal Palm Beach,  and Craig Howell, of Lake Worth,  were in the field this year to attempt to defend their title from last year. After a first round 71, Eggertsson and Howell had some catching up to do on day two. Past Champion Doug Snoap, of Apopka,  and his partner Bob Campione, of Palm Coast,  were the story of the day on Saturday, firing an impressive 9-under par 63, that would give them a three shot lead heading into Sunday. Three teams were sitting three strokes behind Snoap and Campione - one of which included Florida Cup captain Rick Woulfe. Woulfe, of Fort Lauderdale and his partner Kasey Denesevich, of Lauderhill, were hoping for a low round Sunday that would propel them ahead of Snoap and Campione. 

Sunday saw perfect playing conditions, and the field took advantage of the opportunities they had. Snoap and Campione had a comfortable lead, but others were nipping at their heels all day. The team of Woulfe and Denesevich took dead aim at the title on Sunday, shooting a 65 to tie Campione and Snoap who shot 68. After the conclusion of the second round, the two teams made their way to the 10th hole for a playoff to decide the winner. After tying the first two holes, the team of Snoap and Campione made birdie at the third playoff hole to win the Championship. This marks Snoap's second Four-Ball title in the past three years, and is the first for Bob Campione.

Notables in the field include Marc Dull, of Winter Haven, and Jeffrey Horn, of Boynton Beach. Dull, 2017 Amateur Player of the Year and recent Gasparilla Invitational winner and his partner made a run on Sunday, shooting 65 and ultimately finishing in a T3. The low round on Sunday went to the duo of Joey and John Latowski, of Port St. Lucie, who fired a second round 64 to get them into the Top-Five. 

The Men's Championship season moves on to Buckhorn Springs for the Super-Senior Amateur Championship, April 3-5. Read more about that event here.

Final Results

Four-Ball is one of the most popular and enjoyable formats in all of golf.  Two partners play their own ball into the hole and take the better score for the hole of the two of them.  Each team consists of one mid-amateur aged 25-54 and one senior who is 55 or older. There will be separate tees for the mid-amateurs and seniors to accommodate all players. For a look at the 2017 Championship Results, click here.

Stone Creek is located on the west side of Ocala and is always enjoyed by FSGA players. Several hotels are located a short drive from the club and there is a nice selection of restaurants nearby also. Find a friend in the appropriate age division and enjoy testing your skills at Stone Creek!

Championship Format

• 36 holes of four-ball stroke play, (commonly known as a two-person, best-ball)
• The lowest gross team score for 36 holes will be the Champions (no handicaps used)
  

Championship Field Size

Maximum of 52 teams - 104 players

Eligibility

• Male amateur golfers
• Each team must consist of a Mid-Amateur (25-54) and a Senior (55 & older) as of the first day of the Championship 
• Two seniors may NOT compete as a team
• Both entrants are required to be either a current Regular or Foundation member of the FSGA
  

Entry Fee

• $310 per team GHIN Member or Foundation Member
  
• $330 per team Non-GHIN Member

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

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.

Flighting

After 18 holes, the number of flights will be based on the number of teams and/or the range of scores. Gift certificates will be awarded to the top finishers in each flight.

Course Set-Up

The golf course will be set-up at approximately:

• Mid-Amateurs - 6,700-6,900 yards
• Seniors - 6,300-6,500 yards

Schedule of Events

Saturday, March 17th

• 8:00 AM Tee Times off of #1 and #10 tees

Sunday, March 18th

• 8:30 AM Final Round Shotgun 

Scorecards

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

Practice Rounds

Practice rounds are available five days prior to the event on a space available basis.  Practice rounds are restricted to after 12:00 PM on weekends. The cost of a practice round is $35.00 plus tax.  Please call 352-854-1272 to reserve a time for a practice round. The place to practice your golf swing is on the driving range.  Hitting multiple balls on the golf course is unacceptable.

Defending Champions

The team of Daniel Eggertsson and Craig Howel edged out two teams by one stroke with rounds of 65-68--133 (-11).
2017 Results

Exemptions Earned from this Tournament

Winner

Current year's Four-Ball Championship

Host Hotel and Accommodations

Fairfield Inn & Suites - Ocala
4101 SW 38th Court
Ocala, FL 34474

$139 per room, per night, plus tax. Must book by 2/23 to take advantage of rate.
Click here to book online, or call 352-861-8400 and ask for FSGA rate.

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 Conditions of 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.

Directions

Stone Creek Golf Club
9676 SW 62nd Loop
Ocala, FL  34481
352-854-1272 

Click here for directions