AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE FLORIDA STATE GOLF ASSOCIATION ~APRIL 2026~
SITE OF 77TH FOUR-BALL
CORAL CREEK CLUB
CHAMPIONSHIP
97TH WOMEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
ROYAL POINCIANA GC
JUNE 11 - 14
FLORIDA
STATE GOLF ASSOCIATION
12630 Telecom Drive - Tampa, FL 33637
Main: (813) 632-3742
Championships & Rulings: (813) 868-5850
Club Services: (813) 868-5855
JOIN THE FSGA
Foundation Memberships
$1,000 ............................................. Chairman’s Level
$500 ................................................. President’s Level
$275 ................................... Director’s Level (Couple)
$170 Director’s Level
Regular Memberships
$60 ............................................... Adult Regular Level
$45 FJT/Junior Level
$30 Patron Level
All membership dollars received above the regular membership will go towards the Future of Golf Foundation.
FOLLOW THE FSGA
Twitter: @FSGA
Instagram: @FSGA1913
Facebook: Florida State Golf Association
ADAPTIVE GOLF
VOLUNTEERS
2026 UPCOMING MEN’S COMPETITIONS
Two-Man Shoot-Out
45th Mid-Amateur
Florida Hickory Open
Senior Two-Man Scramble
Forty & Over Four-Ball (North)
Forty & Over Four-Ball (South)
Super-Senior Amateur Match Play
109th Amateur
Senior Amateur Match Play
29th Amateur Public Links
Men’s Net Two-Man Shoot-Out
77th Four-Ball
80th Florida Open
Parent-Child
Parent-Child (9-holer)
34th Amateur Match Play
Two-Man Scramble
Forty & Over
Summer Mixed Team
Mid-Amateur Four-Ball (South)
May 2-3
May 7-10
May 18-19
May 20-21
Jun 6-7
Jun 6-7
Jun 8-11
Jun 11-14
Jun 22-25
Jun 26-28
Jun 28-29
Jul 10-12
Jul 17-19
Jul 25-26
Jul 25-26
Jul 30 - Aug 2
Aug 8-9
Aug 21-23
Aug 22-23
Sept 12-13
Mid-Amateur Four-Ball (North) Sept 12-13
Mixed Shoot-Out
Senior Four-Ball
Super-Senior Four-Ball
Men’s Net
Sept 19-20
Sept 21-22
Sept 28-29
Sept 27-28
Mid-Amateur Stroke Play Oct 2-4
Legends Championship
16th Florida Cup
Oct 7-8
Oct 11-13
Senior Two-Man Shoot-Out Oct 22-23
4th Florida Adaptive Open Oct 26-27
Apr 1
Apr 1
May 6
May 6
May 27
May 27
May 20
April 29
May 20
May 27
Jun 17
May 27
May 27
Jun 24
Jun 24
Jun 24
Jul 1
Aug 5
Aug 5
Aug 26
Aug 26
Sept 2
Sept 9
Sept 16
Sept 16
Aug 26
Sept 23
Invitational
Oct 7
Aug 6
Dec 4-5
Dec 2
Lakewood National Golf Club, Lakewood Ranch
Hobe Sound Golf Club, Hobe Sound
Dubsdread Golf Course, Orlando
Vineyards Country Club, Naples
LPGA International, Daytona Beach
Tara Golf & Country Club, Bradenton
Eagle Creek Golf & Country Club, Naples
The Dye Preserve & The Club at Admiral’s Cove, Jupiter
Deerwood Country Club, Jacksonville
Dunedin Golf Club, Dunedin
Lakewood National Golf Club, Lakewood Ranch
Coral Creek Club, Placida
Longboat Key Club, Longboat Key
ChampionsGate Golf Resort, Orlando
ChampionsGate Country Club, ChampionsGate
TBD
Streamsong Resort, Streamsong
Pensacola Country Club, Pensacola
Mission Resort + Club, Howey-in-the-Hills
Boca Woods Country Club, Boca Raton
Buckhorn Springs Golf & Country Club, Valrico
Aileron Golf Club, Lake Suzy
Vero Beach Country Club, Vero Beach
The Conservatory at Hammock Beach, Palm Coast
Black Diamond Ranch (Quarry), Lecanto
Bent Pine Golf Club, Vero Beach
Bonita Bay Club, Bonita Springs
Old Memorial Golf Club, Tampa
TBD
Innisbrook Golf Resort (Copperhead), Palm Harbor Foursomes
Men’s Net Four-Ball Dec 6-7
TBD CHAMPIONSHIP
Dec 2
Stillwater Golf & Country Club, St. Johns
2026 UPCOMING WOMEN’S COMPETITIONS
CHAMPIONSHIP DATE
Women’s Shoot-Out
May 16-17
ENTRIES CLOSE LOCATION
May 6
Mariner Sands Country Club, Stuart Women’s Four-Ball
May 30-31 May 20
Black Diamond Ranch, Lecanto 97th Amateur Jun 11-14
Apr 29
Royal Poinciana Golf Club, Naples 67th Girls’ Junior Jun 22-24
May 27
Inaugural Women’s Scramble Jun 27-28 Jun 17
Mayacoo Lakes CC, West Palm Beach
Lemon Bay Golf Club, Englewood Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Jul 10-12
Jun 17
Amelia Island Club Long Point, Amelia Island Parent-Child Jul 25-26
Jun 24
Florida Women’s & Senior Open Jul 31-August 2 Jun 17
ChampionsGate & Reunion, Orlando
Moorings at Hawk’s Nest & Bent Pine GC, Vero Beach Women’s Southeastern Challenge Aug 8-9 Invitational
Savannah’s The Landings G & AC, Georgia 14th Women’s Mid-Amateur Aug 14-16 Jul 15
Sugar Mill Country Club, New Smyrna Beach Summer Mixed Aug 22-23 Aug 5
Mission R + C, Howey-in-theHills Mixed Shoot-Out Sept 19-20 Sept 2
Aileron Golf Club, Lake Suzy
2026 UPCOMING USGA QUALIFIERS
MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS
U.S. OPEN FINAL QUALIFIER
June 8........................................................................................ BallenIsles CC
U.S. JUNIOR QUALIFIERS
ENTRIES CLOSE MAY 13
June 1 Heathrow CC
June 17 Delray Dunes Club
June 22 CC of Ocala
U.S. AMATEUR QUALIFIERS
ENTRIES CLOSE MAY 27
June 15 Streamsong Black
June 23 Southern Hills Plantation Club
June 25 Bent Pine Golf Club
U.S. AMATEUR FINAL QUALIFYING
July 20 Sara Bay CC
July 22 Dutchman’s Pipe
U.S. SENIOR AMATEUR QUALIFIERS
ENTRIES CLOSE JUNE 17
June 29 Stillwater G & CC
July 9 ............................................................................. Eagle Creek G & CC
July 30 Turtle Creek Club
U.S. MID-AMATEUR QUALIFIERS
ENTRIES CLOSE JULY 22
August 3 Lago Mar G & CC
August 6 Palma Ceia G & CC
September 1 .............................................................. Hammock Dunes Club
U.S. FOUR-BALL (2027) QUALIFIERS
ENTRIES CLOSE AUGUST 12
September 21 ...................................................... Lakewood Ranch G & CC
October 7 BallenIsles CC
WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS
U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN QUALIFIERS ENTRIES CLOSE APRIL 1
April 27 Sugar Mill CC
May 6 Wilderness CC
May 11............................................................................................. Streamsong
U.S. GIRLS’ JUNIOR QUALIFIERS ENTRIES CLOSE MAY 13
June 1 The Club at Eaglebrooke
June 16 Eagle Trace Golf Club
June 30 Heritage Oaks G & CC
U.S. SENIOR WOMEN’S OPEN QUALIFIER ENTRIES CLOSE MAY 27
July 7..................................................................... Buckhorn Springs G & CC
U.S. WOMEN’S AMATEUR QUALIFIERS ENTRIES CLOSE JUNE 3
July 6 ............................................................................................ Lago Mar CC
July 13 Hammock Dunes Club
U.S. WOMEN’S MID-AMATEUR QUALIFIER ENTRIES CLOSE JUNE 17
July 1 ......................................................................................... Palma Ceia CC
U.S. SENIOR WOMEN’S AMATEUR QUALIFIER ENTRIES CLOSE JULY 22
September 2 Tampa Palms G & CC
U.S. WOMEN’S FOUR-BALL (2027) QUALIFIER ENTRIES CLOSE AUGUST 12
October 7 The Oaks Club
ADAPTIVE CHAMPIONSHIP
U.S. ADAPTIVE OPEN ENTRIES CLOSE APRIL 8
May 1 ............................................................................. Heritage Oaks G&CC
2026 CHAMPIONSHIP RECAPS
HOBE SOUND GOLF CLUB SITE OF
79TH WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL FOUR-BALL
Jessica Spicer and Sarah Spicer-Baldwin captured the title at the 79th Women’s International Four-Ball Championship, prevailing in a playoff to secure the first championship of the 2026 season. After four consecutive top-three finishes, the sisters broke through to earn their long-awaited victory.
SENIOR/MID-AMATEUR FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Justin Grant and Steve Albright successfully defended their title at the Senior/Mid-Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Skyview at Terra Vista, finishing at 17-under-par to secure back-to-back victories.
WOMEN’S SENIOR FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Therese Quinn & Suzanne Ricard (Senior) and Mindy Smith & Bronwyne Bruwer (Super-Senior) captured titles at the Women’s Senior Four-Ball Championship at Stone Creek Golf Club. Quinn and Ricard finished at 4-under-par 138, while Bruwer and Smith secured their victory in a one-hole playoff after posting rounds of 73-75—148.
Justin Grant at the Senior/Mid-Amateur Four-Ball Championship.
Sarah Spicer-Baldwin at the 77th Women’s International Four-Ball.
Therese Quinn and Suzanne Ricard at the Women’s Senior Four-Ball Championship.
Justin Grant, Steve Albright, Daniel DeBra, and Joe Alfieri at the Senior/Mid-Amateur Four-Ball Championship.
NEW IN 2026
WOMEN’S SCRAMBLE CHAMPIONSHIP
Lemon Bay Golf Club
Englewood, Fla.
June 27 - 28
Entries Close: June 17th
Eligibility: Female amateur golfers, Florida resident, FSGA member, one entrant must be at least 16 years of age
Handicap Index: Florida GHIN 34.0 or less
Entry Fees: $380 per team ($190 per person)
Championship Format: 36 holes of 2-Person Scramble stroke play
SENIOR
Vineyards Country Club
Naples, Fla.
May 20 - 21
Entries Close: May 6th
Eligibility: Florida Resident & FSGA Member; both players must be 55 or older (Senior); both players must be 65 or older (Super-Senior)
Handicap Index: Florida GHIN 10.0 or less
Entry Fees: $420 per team ($210 per player)
Championship Format: 36 holes of two-man scramble gross stroke play
TOGETHER FOR THE GAME: JOE AND TAFFIE BRISLEY
If you have played in an FSGA championship over the last decade, chances are you have seen them. Before a single scorecard is signed, before a ruling is needed or a trophy handed to a deserving player, Joe and Taffie Brisley are already there.
Maybe Taffie was on the first tee, greeting players. Maybe Joe was out on the course, moving quietly between holes, making sure everything was set up as it should. Maybe you didn’t need a ruling or assistance at all, but Joe and Taffie Brisley have volunteered at more than 50 FSGA events in the last few years alone. They greet competitors by name, and offer warm smiles. For them, showing up is not an obligation. It is simply part of who they are.
Their Entry into a Lifetime of Service
Their FSGA story began in 1994, when Joe and their son, Patrick, competed in the Parent-Child Championship. Taffie had long been involved in the sport, playing in college. In 1995, she began volunteering with the Florida Women’s State Golf Association, eventually serving as a Board Member and President in 2002. She later became a Senior Rules Official and also worked as a Rules Official on what is now the Epson Tour.
When the Florida Women’s State Golf Association (FWSGA) merged with the Florida State Golf Association in 2012, Taffie continued her service seamlessly. Joe’s path followed naturally. While Taffie was working events on tour, he would travel to join her whenever possible.
“They always put me to work,” he said. “I’d do anything, from scoring, starting, shuttling people. I got to see the inside of tournament operations.” By 2010, he formally joined her in volunteering with the FSGA.
Keep Coming Back for More
With so many days of service under their belt, it begs the question of, “what keeps you saying ‘yes’”?
“It’s just fun,” Taffie said. “The people are wonderful. The players are wonderful. The staff is wonderful. We have a nice FSGA family.” Joe agrees. “It’s the players and the people we work with.”
But beneath that simplicity is something more intentional. Taffie, who frequently works closely with junior players and their parents, sees volunteering as an opportunity to shape experiences. “I really want our players to have a very enjoyable, pleasant golf experience,” she said. “Seeing a pleasant face that’s welcoming and helps, that matters.”
Joe often roams the course, less visible but equally essential. For Joe, it’s about seeing these players’ development: “I think watching the players blossom, especially in the junior ranks, where they become really, really good players is amazing,” he said.
“Yes, Dear”
The Brisleys have been married nearly 55 years. They met in Virginia, attended the same elementary and high schools, and built a life together long before golf became central to it.
Volunteering side by side, they say, is simply an extension of that partnership. “It’s fun,” Joe said. “We’re going to the same place. Usually we have different jobs, so you get to see the whole run of the tournament.” But there is also practical harmony. “It’s nice getting up early in the morning and not disturbing the other partner,” Taffie added. “Because they’re getting up with you.”
As for the secret to working together so seamlessly for decades, Joe answered quickly:
“Yes, dear.”
Taffie laughed, and agreed.
“I tell the guys all the time,” Joe said. “Just say, ‘Yes, dear.’ It’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission” he chuckled.
Humor, clearly, is part of the formula.
An “Interesting” Journey
When asked to describe their shared golf journey in one word, they chose: interesting. “You learn so much,” Joe said. “Every time you go out, you learn something.”
Taffie added that the friendships and camaraderie are what truly define that word. Of course, “interesting” also accounts for freezing mornings, sweltering afternoons, and the occasional tense Rules situations. Championship golf is not without its moments. “The fun part is trying to be part of a good tournament experience,” Taffie said. “That’s all everybody wants.”
Beyond the Fairways
Outside of golf, Joe has another passion: cars, particularly Corvettes. He participates in car shows and proudly maintains what Taffie calls his “baby.”
Taffie, meanwhile, keeps close contact with her sister, playing online games together multiple times a day. She also treasures time with their grandchildren.
There is a theme in all of it: shared interests, shared support.
Taffie started volunteering, and Joe followed. Joe pursues cars, and Taffie joins him. Each encourages the other. Each shows up.
“Yes, dear,” after all, works both ways!
Thank You, Volunteers!
Over decades of involvement, from junior golf parents to volunteers, the Brisleys have become woven into the fabric of the FSGA. For Joe and Taffie Brisley, volunteering is not about recognition. It is about community. It is about ensuring that every player, parent, and spectator leaves feeling that they were part of something well run.
The FSGA could not do what we do without the help of our wonderful volunteers, every championship, year in and year out. Joe and Taffie Brisley are a true testament to the FSGA family and growing the game we all know and love.
FLORIDA JUNIOR TOUR
CABOT CITRUS FARMS
SITE OF 72ND BOYS’ JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
UPCOMING FLORIDA JUNIOR TOUR EVENTS
(16-18)
20TH JUNIOR FLORIDA CUP
The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
July 26 - 28
Held annually, the Junior Florida Cup is one of the most fun and exciting golf events in Florida. Each year the state’s top junior players are invited to participate in a North Florida versus South Florida team competition similar to the Ryder Cup.
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
FSGA Foundation Scholars
FSGA Scholars is a scholarship program made possible by the FSGA Foundation. In the Spring each year, the FSGA Foundation selects golfers from the FJT’s graduating class to be awarded a renewable four-year scholarship.
The Class of 2025 was the largest group of FSGA Scholars in program history with thirty-eight students awarded a FSGA scholarship. The FSGA Foundation currently supports a total of 93 individual students, providing over $300,000 in scholarship funding annually.
James E. Demick Scholarship
One annual scholarship of $10,000 per year, renewable and available for a student’s graduate and undergraduate studies. The scholarship is named in honor of Jim Demick, who has spent 24 years of his life dedicated to the FSGA and the game of golf. Demick retired from the FSGA in December 2020 after 24 years as the Executive Director.
A native Floridian, Demick joined the FSGA as the Executive Director in 1997. During his tenure, the organization grew into the largest and most active golf association in the country. He remains a part of the FSGA family, serving as an adviser to the Association and as President of the FSGA Foundation.
RULES OF GOLF - EMBEDDED BALL
Darin Green, Senior Director of Rules & Competitions
Spring conditions often bring softer turf, and with that comes one of the most common questions we receive from players:
“My ball is sitting down in the grass. Is it embedded?”
While the ball may appear partially buried, that alone does not necessarily mean it is embedded under the Rules of Golf.
A Common Situation
A player’s shot that lands in the fairway or rough. When the player arrives at the ball, it is sitting down in the turf with about half the ball below the surface of the grass. The player believes the ball must be embedded and calls for a ruling to take free relief.
Question:
Is the ball embedded?
The Rule
Under Rule 16.3, a ball is embedded only when it is in its own pitch mark made as a result of the player’s previous stroke and part of the ball is below the level of the ground. A ball that is simply sitting down in soft turf, resting in deep grass, or plugged in loose sand or soil is not considered embedded. In other words, the ball must have broken the surface of the ground as it landed.
Where Free Relief Is Allowed
When a ball is embedded in its own pitch mark in the general area, the player is entitled to free relief in the general area. The “general area” is any area of the course that is not the teeing area, penalty area, bunker, or the putting green.
How to take free relief:
1. Lift and clean the ball or substitute another ball.
2. Drop a ball in the relief area within one club-length of the spot directly behind where the ball was embedded, no nearer the hole. The ball must land in the general area, stay in general, and in the relief area.
A Note About Optional Model Local Rule F-2
Beginning in 2026, the Rules include an optional Model Local Rule F-2 that allows the Committee to either limit or extend relief for embedded balls.
Most competitions, including FSGA events, follow the standard relief allowed under Rule 16.3, unless otherwise specified in the Terms of Competition or Hard Card.
The Takeaway
A ball sitting down in soft turf is not automatically embedded. For relief to be allowed, the ball must be embedded in its own pitch mark and located in the general area.
When in doubt, players may mark and lift the ball to determine if the ball is embedded, but the player may only clean the ball if it is actually embedded and they plan to take relief.
As always, when a player is unsure of their options, asking for help from a Rules Official is the best play.
PRESERVING & PROTECTING THE GAME OF GOLF SINCE 1913
