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USGA, FSGA have busy spring and summer championship schedules; qualifiers set at eight First Coast clubs

garry smits, florida times-union
·4 min read
The Plantation at Ponte Vedra will be the host facility for a U.S. Open local qualifier on May 9, the second year in a row it has been the first area stop on the way to the U.S. Open.
The Plantation at Ponte Vedra will be the host facility for a U.S. Open local qualifier on May 9, the second year in a row it has been the first area stop on the way to the U.S. Open.

Those thinking about testing their golf games at the national level need to start thinking about local qualifying if they’re not overwise exempt.

The United States Golf Association schedule of national championships this year is as good as it gets, with an interesting blend of old-school course, modern tracks that have hosted big events in the past and even a trip to the 49th state.

More: Fast start, familiar finish: Amateur team front-loads and wins sixth Underwood Cup in a row

More: Cincinnati sophomore Ty Gingerich comes from six shots back to win First Coast Amateur

Here are the USGA national championships, with the qualifiers on the First Coast, or, the closest qualifiers available. Entry deadlines, age and handicap requirements vary and players are advised to visit usga.org or fsga.org for complete information.

• U.S. Women’s Open, June 2-5, Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club, Southern Pines. Nearest qualifier: May 2, University of Florida Mark Bostick Golf Club.

• U.S. Open, June 16-19, The Country Club, Brookline, Mass. First Coast qualifier: May 9, Plantation at Ponte Vedra.

• U.S. Senior, June 23-26, Saucon Valley Country Club, Bethlehem, Pa. Nearest qualifier: May 23, Golden Ocala.

• U.S. Junior Girls, July 18-23, Club at Olde Stone, Bowling Green, Ky. Nearest qualifiers: Palm Aire Country Club, Sarasota; Quail Ridge, Boynton Beach.

• U.S. Junior Boys, July 25-30, Bandon Dunes, Ore. Nearest qualifier: June 1, University of Florida Mark Bostick Golf Course.

• U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur, July 30-Aug 4, Anchorage (AK) Golf Course. Nearest qualifier: The Falls Club, Lake Worth.

• U.S. Women’s Amateur, Aug. 8-14, Chambers Bay, Wash. Nearest qualifier: July 18, Mission Inn Resort, Howey-in-the-Hills.

• U.S. Amateur, Aug. 15-21, Ridgewood Country Club, Paramus, N.J. First Coast qualifier: Julyu 18-19, St. Johns Golf and Country Club.

• U.S. Senior Women’s Open, Aug. 25-28, NCR Country Club, Kettering, Ohio. Nearest qualifier: July 11, Bradenton Country Club.

• U.S. Senior Amateur, Aug. 27-Sept. 1, Kittansett Club, Marion, Mass. Nearest qualifier: Palma Ceia Golf Club, Tampa.

• U.S. Mid-Amateur, Sept. 10-15, Erin Hills, Wis. First Coast qualifier: Aug. 1, San Jose Country Club.

• U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, Sept. 17-22, Fiddlesticks Country Club, Fort Myers. Nearest qualifier: Aug. 18, Buckhorn Springs, Valrico.

Statewide events, qualifiers set

If you’re setting your sights on Florida State Golf Association events, here’s a list of the major tournaments of the season and where to qualify. If no qualifier is listed, the state has determined it will have enough players based on exemptions and new applicants who meet the age and handicap requirements.

• Senior Amateur, April 12-14, Avila Golf and Country Club, Tampa. First Coast qualifier: March 22, Eagle Harbor.

• Senior Open, April 25-27, Miromar Lakes. First Coast qualifier: April 18, Marsh Creek.

• Florida Senior Women’s Amateur, April 25-27, Eagle Creek, Naples.

• Mid-Amateur, May 5-8, Oaks Club, Osprey. First Coast qualifier: April 26, Slammer & Squire.

• Florida Women’s Amateur, June 15-19, Streamsong Resort.

• Florida Amateur, June 23-26, Bear’s Club, Jupiter. First Coast qualifier: June 15, Deerwood.

• Florida Junior Girls, June 29-July 1, Country Club of Winter Haven.

• Florida Junior boys, July 6-8, Seminole Legacy Club, Tallahassee. Nearest qualifier: June 22, Seminole Legacy Club.

• Florida Open, July 15-17, Bradenton Country Club. First Coast qualifier: June 6, Palencia.

Russell wins in a romp

Miles Russell of Jacksonville Beach birdied four of his first seven holes on his way to an opening 66 and went on to win a Florida Junior Tour event at the University of Florida’s Mark Bostick Golf Club by eight shots last week.

Russell finished at even-par 210. He birdied his last two holes of the tournament for a closing 70.

In an FJT event at the Seminole Legacy Club in Tallahassee, Jackson Klauk (230) of St. Augustine finished seventh and Lucas Slayden (232) of Ponte Vedra tied for eighth in the boys 16-18 division. Nancy Cox (249) of Ponte Vedra tied for eighth in the girls 16-18 and Anika Richards (250) of Fernandina Beach finished 10th.

FSGA board elected

Three First Coast residents will be on the Florida State Golf Association board of directors.

Steve Carter of St. Augustine, a past FSGA president, was elected to the board and Tommy Dudley of Jacksonville and Tama Caldabaugh of Ponte Vedra Beach were re-elected to another term.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Busy spring and summer of golf: USGA, FSGA championships, qualifiers set