Where do the best area amateurs reside?
If this week’s 92nd Florida State Amateur Championship is an indication, most of them live in Manatee County. Led by Chris Kennedy of Lakewood Ranch, nine of the 13 area amateurs, who qualified for the State Am, are from Manatee County.
Several years ago, Kennedy advanced to the round of 32 in the U.S. Amateur before losing. Other golfers from Manatee County in the field this weekend include Tory Henderson, Tommy Mou, Nicholas Mullhaput, Sean Kelly, Blake Soni, Patrik Sterner, Charlie Walters and Byron White. Brian Schmidt, Dave Perna, Larry O’Brien and Jerry Rose will represent Sarasota County.
Kennedy and Schmidt each have won one City of Sarasota Men’s Championship.
These 13 golfers will be among the field of 155 of the best amateurs from around the state that will tee it up at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, starting Thursday.
Before reaching the championship, more than 1,000 participants attempted to qualify at 16 sites across the state. This year a record number of tournament entries was received.
During the Florida State Am, participants will play 18 holes each on Stadium Course and Sawgrass Country Club (East/West) course. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the low 70 and ties. The final 36 holes of the championship will be played on Stadium Course on Saturday and Sunday. For starting tee times, pairings and results, visit www.fsga.org.
