Innisbrook Will Test State's Top Amateurs
Published: Jun 21, 2007
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PALM HARBOR - The PGA Tour comes to Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead Course every year for the PODS Championship, and every year the best players in golf talk about the quality and difficulty of its test.
This week, Florida's top amateurs will be making their own judgments.
The 90th Florida State Amateur Championship begins 72 holes of play today with a field of 168 golfers. The players will split the first two rounds between the Copperhead and Island courses. After the 36-hole cut, the final two rounds will be played on the Copperhead.
"It's a great golf course," FSGA director Jim Demick said. "The tour players love it because of its technical quality, and I think our guys are going to enjoy it for the very same reasons.
"We'll set it up as a tough but fair test. This is not a member-guest. It's the State Amateur. It will play fairly long and it will be a good test."
The final entry list was whittled from an original list of 845 by 13 qualifying events across the state.
Founded in 1914, the State Amateur is the oldest continuous sporting event in the state, as well as the largest amateur competition in Florida.
Past champions include PGA Tour and Champions Tour pros Bob Murphy, Jerry Page, David Peoples, Chris Couch and Barry Cheesman. University of Florida golf coach Buddy Alexander also won the crown.
This year, University of North Florida golfer Jeff Dennis of Parkland returns to defend his title. Others of note include two-time champion Mark Leetzow of Sarasota, 2003 winner Richard Maddox of Panama City and 2005 winner Ryan Abbate of Fort Lauderdale.
A new wave of serious contenders, however, could provide a surprise.
Demick said he would not be shocked if one of the state's junior stars captured the title, considering Florida's junior programs are among the strongest in the nation.
"The junior players are playing better at younger ages," Demick said. "This year's state amateur had over 800 entries, and some 200 of those were junior players. They continue to get younger.
"A number of our junior players are among the best players in the state. They are right up there with the very best amateurs with a lot more experience."
Reporter Mick Elliott can be reached at (813) 281-2534 or melliott@tampa-
trib.com.
