Florida State Amatuer Championships

[tjewell1994]

should i play in it?

Hello, I am a junior golfer from Naples, FL, and I am looking to enter the Florida Amatuer Championship. It is played at TPC Sawgrass. I just want to know if I should, or should I wait until I'm older? I'm only 14 years old, and would be playing against all other ages. My dad thinks that I'm too young to play in it, but my mom wants me to play for the experience. My handicap has been hovering around 3 for a while, and is at 2.8 currently. I just want your opinion, should I enter or wait until I get older.

[iteachgolf]

I'd say as long as you have realistic expectations go for it. First you have to qualify which will take around a 75. You definitely wouldn't contend but you'd also learn what it takes.

[tjewell1994]

another question, do you guys know how long the course is they play?

[iteachgolf]

6900ish yards most likely at Sawgrass.

[golftitleist]

Yeah, if you can qualify I can't see why you wouldn't play.

[Got An Itch?]

The very best way to get experience and learn to deal with competitive pressure is to throw yourself in. If you have been successful in junior tournaments and feel like this would be the next natural step, then I say that all it can do is help you in the long run. If you play well, then it is a launching pad for you. If you don't then it is experience gained. It's kind of no-lose if you go in with the right attitude and expectations. Best of luck.

[Kevin520PGA]

I would most certainly play. If nothing else, it will help you gain experience. Not to mention it will help your mental skills, which is a huge part of a game.

 

The Stadium Course is about 7200 and that will depend on pin placements and tee boxes!

 

Good Luck!

[muxi87]

entering the qualifier would be great practice under pressure if nothing else. Heck, shoot a good score and you're on your way to Sawgrass!

[drew123]

yea...why not...experience gained...and u will get to play a nice course for the qualifier and a nice course if u get in if nothing else

[squarre]

Go for it. As a junior, my friends and I always played (or at least tried qualify) for the Georgia State Amateur. I think the experience is invaluable and the pressure always seemed a little different than playing in junior events. Good Luck!

[The Bearcat]

Im from the east coast of Canada, and im the same age as you. If i ever had the oppourtunity to play sawgrass i wouldnt care how tough or long it is set up. If i could qualify I'd go for it. Getting to play TPC Sawgrass would be amazing to me alone. Plus you'd get experience so , yeah I'd go for it.

[jdhb]

Enter the qualifier. If you qualify, you're good enough to play! If you miss, you've gained experience and you'll have a better idea of what it takes to get in next time. Good luck!

[daytonflyer]

i played in the 2008 FLA state am at Jupiter Hills, amazing experience! the FSGA is the best and they always have the nicest courses for this tournament. I always try to find the qualifiers with the largest amount of spots so you less of a chance of getting passed by 2 guys careering 69's. There were a bunch of sports at Grande Pines qualifier last year in orlando and I shot 76 (which is very high for a qualifier) and got in the FLA AM.

 

I also recommend the FLA public links, there is no qualifier for that. Also, the FLA Match play qualifier.

 

 

-Played the stadium course a bunch of times and is possibly one of the hardest courses in the USA. But, it is well worth it if you get to play

[tjewell1994]

^^^^^ i watched the video of the Jupiter Hills one on floridajuniortour.org. and i am playing in the match play if i qualify. i still haven't made a decision to play in the one at TPC sawgrass, but i think i will.

[iteachgolf]

you wouldnt have the length, like at 14 you probably have no pubes

Completely uncalled for. He can play and if he plays well and shoot in the low 70s he will likely qualify. Most of the qualifiers will be played from 6,700-7,000 yards.

[tjewell1994]

are you serious brad_golfer? that is so uncalled for. i hit the ball about 275yds, i think that's long enough for a 14 year old. wow! how rude. i will be reporting this to the officials on this site.

[addamsmith]

Brad_Golfer

Your Post has been noted.

With comments like that you won't last to long around here,

Think before you go attacking another person with such silly comments please.

Moderating Team

 

To tommyjewell-1994

Mate go for it, It will only give you experience for the years to come and good luck to you in the Future with your golf.

Let us know how you go

Regards

Addam smith

[tjewell1994]

^^^^ thanks. he has posted many rude and inappropriate comments all targeted at me. i don't know what i did, but he just doesn't like me. has has left a really rude comment on my personal page and i had to erase it because it was so bad.

[addamsmith]

Where looking right into it tommyjewell-1994

Thanks

Addam

[tjewell1994]

oh, and back to the main topic. i am playing in the final event in the Florida Junior Tour for my age group next weekend and depending on how i do will depend on my decision. if i don't even break 80 in either round, i for sure won't play. but, if i manage to post a decent score, then i'll go for it. i am thinking 155 or better and i'll go for it.

[DavePelz4]

Tommy...

 

Go have fun and if nothing else, learn. Treat it as a round with your buds and just enjoy. Everyone else will be tense...having fun will be your advantage.

 

Regarding others comments, there will always be jealous people who will try to bring you down to their level. Take them for what they are...never ever let them get to you. It sounds like you have game...the other guy...smells gamey. Would much rather be you!

 

Let us know how you do...enjoy your posts!

[tjewell1994]

^^^^thanks. i do have a hard time playing big events and having that attitude, i'm always tense and nervous on the range and i feel horrible on the 1st tee normally. but after that shot is over with, i feel great and am not worried at all.

[tjewell1994]

UPDATE: i decided NOT to play in it, i'm a little disappointed. but, i am going to play in the Florida Boy's Junior Championships. it's the same format, but just with kids my age. for those interested, it is at Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach.

[iteachgolf]

Good Luck Tommy! Just play your game. Nerves got me in the State Match Play a couple years ago.

[tjewell1994]

^^^^ thanks, i'll do my best. i still have to qualify for this. i also have a big tournament this weekend. i'm a little nervous, but i feel that my game is really good right now and that i can post some good rounds.

[iteachgolf]

^^^^ thanks, i'll do my best. i still have to qualify for this. i also have a big tournament this weekend. i'm a little nervous, but i feel that my game is really good right now and that i can post some good rounds.

You are young. Go out with no expectations. Worst thing that happens is you try next year. Focus on your putting and chipping.

[tjewell1994]

thanks for all the advice and all the support. i'm heading off to Lemon Bay tonight for my semi-big tournament. it's my first 2-day tournament of the year and my second ever Florida Junior Tour Event.

[ppluvkorn]

I think you should play the FL-State AM, or at least try. I too am from FL and I play college golf right now. The way I look at it is you have nothing to loose and everything to gain. I played a tone of AJGA's and FCWT's growing up as well as big amateur events all over the country. There is nothing closer to college golf than big amateur events. YOu might as well get a head start. And another way to look at it is that the FL-State AM will be much longer and stronger field and harder than any junior tourny so when you go back to play junior events you will feel much more confident and it will help you. You might as well try to qualy. as well as play the state junior and I would also def throw in a US Am qualy too. I know 12 and 13 year olds that have played in US-AM's and young kids play well at state ams. As a college player telling you what I think you should do I would def play it. At the same time you need to also be playing junior events and events at your level too. Plan a sched with a good mix...it can only help

[tjewell1994]

^^^^ thanks for all that info. i am going to try to qualify for the Boys Junior, and if i make it, i'll go for the Amatuer.

[jaskanski]

Good for you, Tom - don't forget to follow-up post and let us know how you get on.

The best way to win an event is to enter it for starters!