Jacksonville Gears Up for Senior Golf Championships

News Summary

Jacksonville is abuzz with preparations for two major senior golf championships, the 68th JAGA Senior Amateur and the Florida State Golf Association’s 64th Senior Amateur. The JAGA event at Marsh Landing Country Club will see seasoned players compete, while the Florida tournament at Ponte Vedra Inn and Club promises intense competition among local talent. Additionally, the community honors the legacy of beloved golf figure Billy Drake as they enjoy the thrilling golf action ahead.

Jacksonville Prepares for Major Senior Golf Championships

Jacksonville is buzzing with excitement as preparations are underway for two major senior golf championships set to take place on the First Coast in the next two weeks. If you’re a golf enthusiast or just love a great event, you won’t want to miss the action as these tournaments kick off!

The 68th JAGA Senior Amateur

First up is the highly anticipated 68th Jacksonville Area Golf Association (JAGA) Senior Amateur, which will be held at the stunning Marsh Landing Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach. This championship promises to deliver tons of excitement as players aged 50 and above will compete in various age divisions: 50-59, 60-69, and 70 and older. Talk about seasoned talent!

The senior division will feature three rounds of play, while the other two age divisions will have two rounds. Defending champion Richard Ames returns to the green, having clinched victory last year with a remarkable final round score of 68 at Deerwood Golf Club, needing to overcome an eight-shot deficit to take the title. Can he do it again? It will be interesting to see how he performs!

Florida State Golf Association’s Senior Amateur

But that’s not all! Following the JAGA Senior Amateur is the Florida State Golf Association’s 64th Senior Amateur, set to take place from April 15 to 17 at the gorgeous Ponte Vedra Inn and Club Ocean Course. This prestigious tournament is sure to draw in a top-notch field of 144 players, including a strong contingent of local talent. Among them are exempt players such as David Anthony, Clayton Brewer, Steve Horner, and Brian King, who will undoubtedly be looking to take home the top prize.

In addition to these exempt players, six talented area competitors qualified at the King & Bear event held on April 2. Big shoutout to Dave O’Haren for shooting a 74, along with Brian Tennyson, Michael Del Rocco, Bart Abstein, Richard Ames, and Steve Brugg who all played commendable rounds.

The competition for the Florida State Amateur is bound to be fierce as only the low-60 players, plus ties, will advance to the final round.

A Time to Remember

Billy Drake, a beloved figure in the Jacksonville golf scene. Billy was a dedicated volunteer with JAGA for 36 years and worked at Hyde Park for an incredible 47 years. Known for his unwavering support of the local golf community, his legacy will live on through those he touched. A memorial service is scheduled for April 9 at Restoration Church, with donations suggested to the JAGA Charitable Trust in his memory.

Rising Stars and Golfing Highlights

As the golf season progresses, we’re also thrilled to spotlight some young talent making waves in the golfing world. High school junior Wylie Inman recently clinched victory at the Florida Azalea Amateur at Palatka Golf Club with a score of 70-68–138, edging out Luke Balakiewicz by just one shot! Wylie has already verbally committed to play golf at South Florida in 2026, while Luke is gearing up to start at the University of North Florida this coming fall.

The competitive nature of the sport doesn’t stop there. Atharun Rajeshkumar and Dylan Frein showed their mettle in recent Florida Junior Tour events, tying for impressive placements. Last but certainly not least, we congratulate Matt Borocz, who has been promoted to general manager at TPC Sawgrass following the departure of Derek Sprague. Exciting times are ahead for both players and fans!

All in all, the coming weeks will be packed with thrilling golf action on the First Coast. Whether you’re cheering on your favorite player or simply enjoying the sun and fresh air, the spirit of competition is sure to shine bright!

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Jacksonville Spring Boat Show to Dock in April
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Additional Resources

• Jacksonville.com: JAGA Senior Amateur
• CNN: Players Final Round Suspended
• Newsday: Valero Texas Open
• Reuters: Rory McIlroy Wins
• Ponte Vedra Recorder: Rally for Kate Charity Golf
• Wikipedia: Golf