TAMPA, Fla. – Feb. 2, 2005 – The Florida State Golf Association will open the 2005 Championship Schedule with the Florida State Senior Championship at Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club on April 12-14. Golfers interested in entering must have their entries received by March 2 since there is now a qualifying stage.

Designed by Ron Garl, Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club was one of the first tribute courses with replicas of famous holes from around the world. There are eight replicas--Augusta National’s Amen Corner 12th-13th & 16th, St. Andrews’ 1st & Road Hole 17th, Royal Troon’s Postage Stamp 8th, Muirfield’s 9th, and Baltusrol’s 4th--plus ten original holes.

There are two age divisions for the Senior Championship, 55-64 and 65 & over. Participants must be 55 or older as of April 12, 2005 to be eligible for the event. Competitors play 54 holes of stroke play over the course of the three-day event.

Qualifying will take place at five sites across the state. Since the number of entries received has always surpassed the capacity of the Championship, a qualifying stage was instituted. The cost to attempt to qualify is $55 or $45 (includes cart fee) for an online entry. Individuals who successfully advance to the Championship through qualifying and exempt players must remit $200 for payment of Championship fees.

Defending Champion, Bruce Scamehorn, of Winter Haven, is exempt into this year’s Championship with his win last year at Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club. Moot Thomas, of Ocala, won the Super Senior division last year and is also exempt into the 2005 Championship.

To register for the Senior Championship, please visit www.fsga.org or call the FSGA office at (813) 632-FSGA for an entry form.

Organized in 1913, the Florida State Golf Association is a not-for-profit organization that governs amateur golf in the state of Florida. In addition to conducting 21 championships for amateur golfers in the state, the FSGA is responsible for 41 qualifying tournaments for USGA National Championships. The FSGA also maintains the USGA Handicap System, performs course ratings throughout Florida and assists in junior programs and scholarships.

Contact:
Alyson Bartell
(813) 632-3742
abartell@fsga.org