Golf

Amateur coming to Innisbrook

It's time to enter the Florida Amateur Championship.

By Bob Harig,Times Staff Writer
Published March 15, 2007

Amateur coming to Innisbrook

Entries are being accepted for the 90th Florida State Amateur Championship on June 21-24 at the Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor. Golfers must qualify in one of 13 events May 29-June 12 held across the state. Entries close May 9. There is a qualifier June 11 at Wentworth Golf Club in Tarpon Springs as well as ones in Lakeland, Bradenton and Fort Myers. Defending champion Jeff Dennis and other former champions are exempt. The event will be played over the resort's Island and Copperhead courses on June 21-22, with the low 70 and ties advancing to weekend play on the Copperhead. For more information or to register go to fsga.org.

Birdies and bogeys

While playing in a scramble event at the Malone Golf Club (N.Y.) in August, my drive was chosen on the 11th hole. The par 4 measured 347 yards from the gold tees. (I was 81, eligible to play from the senior tees). My ball was 145 yards from an elevated green. I hit first and it headed straight for the flag stick. A creek runs below the front of the green. I didn't catch the ball flush, and we saw it disappear into the creek. But hold on! There it was again, climbing up the steep incline to the green, straight for the flag stick and into the hole! An eagle on a par 4!

Dan Riley, Spring Hill

The dream of playing in my first tournament was so exciting that it overwhelmed me to the point that I could hardly breathe. My opponent was an older woman who was as steady as they come. Martha could roll the ball past anything I could hit off the tee. I went down hole by hole until I was nine down (with nine to play). Not much hope and not any confidence. My caddie told me to take deep breaths. I calmed down at the turn, took the next 10 holes to win and take the championship. This was my first of many, as later I became the Woman's City Champion of Duluth, Minn., which overjoyed me. I love golf, it matters not whether I win or lose today. Just being out there is a pleasure.

Nan Sher, St. Petersburg

Number of the day

5

Finishes in the top 10 in six PGA Tour events by Australia's Robert Allenby, left, tied atop the category with Charles Howell, who has played in seven events.

[Last modified March 14, 2007, 23:04:44]