In Memory of Eric Baker (1990-2012)

The Golfweek Amateur Tour/Orlando mourns the loss of one of its brightest stars.  Eric Baker died in a traffic accident on February 10, 2012.  The Tour leadership and every Golfweek Amateur Tour Orlando member extends its sympathy to his father, Andy Baker and the entire Baker family.  The 2012 season will be dedicated to Eric's memory.

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MISSION INN & METROWEST/FALCON'S FIRE TO HOST MAJORS IN 2012; CELEBRATION, STONEYBRROK WEST RETURN TO SCHEDULE

BLACK BEAR IS ALWAYS A GREAT PLACE TO OPEN SEASON

The Golfweek Amateur Tour  will open its 2012 season on March 17 at Black Bear GC in Eustis.  Fifteen tournaments are scheduled on some of the finest courses in central Florida.  “Last year we played a terrific schedule; this year our lineup is every bit as good” said Tom Mirus, Tour director.  “We will be taking the tour to some new courses this year. We are returning to Disney and Orange County National after renovating the Panther Lake greens last summer. We are excited about the coming season.  We will again qualify fifty players (10 from each of the five flights) for the Tour Championship in October.  It is being held in Hilton Head, SC now and the players that made the trip last year loved it.  I am sure competition for the invitations will be strong again this year.  Plus, our players competed for nearly $50,000 in prizes last year.”  The Golfweek Amateur Tour/Orlando is the first Florida affiliate of the Golfweek Amateur Tour.  There are local tours operating in 43 geographic areas with nationwide membership exceeding 3000.

The Senior (50 & up) flights will continue play on Saturdays with the regular flights. Senior players may choose to compete simultaneously in Regular flights for an additional surcharge.  Senior players will qualify for the senior Tour Championship in November, in Pinehurst. 

            Bob Mirus Memorial becomes Major

Each year, the tour plays two "major" events--two day, 36-hole tournaments.  Beginning in 2012, the first major of each season--this year on June 2-3 at Mission Inn--will be designated at the Bob Mirus Memorial.  Each flight winner will win a crystal trophy commerating the event.

Players are put into flights by handicap/handicap inex.  Players without inexes may submit recent scorecards to be assigned to a flight, subject to change based on tournament performance.  All prizes in all flights are based on gross scores.  Entry fees start as low as $75 and include course costs, range balls and prizes.  Annual Player Cards are $110.  Registration is open now.  Player Cards are only $95 until January 5, 2012.

2011 saw the Golfweek Tour continue its reputation as central Florida’s "Tour of Choice." Forty-six players represented Orlando at the national finals in Hilton Head, SC. They were part of a 608-player field spread across the seven beautiful courses at Palmetto Dunes Resort and Palmetto Hall Plantation.

Christian Vozza (Windermere) placed 2nd in Championship Flight while Eric Baker (Lady Lake) was fourth. Other top finishers were, Dan Seidenfaden (Casselberry) 6th in B flight.

In November fifteen senior players traveled to Pinehurst, NC to represent the tour in the senior Tour Championship played at National Golf Cub, Pine Needles, and Seven Lakes courses. Dennis Brady (Melbourne) finished second in Championsip flight. Tim Sobitz (Oviedo) took second in B flight.  Also in B flight, Chet Parker was sixth and Ben Hamby seventh.  Len Benedetti was 3rd in C flight.

The website, (www.orlandoagt.com) provides tour visibility and awareness, providing easy access for members and new players wishing to join in the fun. Tournaments average nearly 100 players. The Order of Merit points list determines the invitations to the national tournament as well as Player of the Year in each flight. In 2011, Chad Frank (Sanford), Dennis Cargo (Orlando), and Dan Seidenfaden (Casselberry) earned Player of the Year in the Championship, A, and B flights respectively. Brian Mariani (Apopka) took the C flight and Alberto Esperon (Merritt Island) took the D flight. Steve Maddox (Lakeland) and Ed Paterniti (Port Orange) captured the Senior Championship & Senior A flight awards, respectively. Ben Hamby (Clermont) took the Senior B title.

The tour was founded in 1997. Every year the fields get stronger and the quality of play increases. The best players are playing this tour. Director Tom Mirus points out that "over 1/3 of our membership play with a 4.0 index or better and another 1/3 are between 4.1 and 9.0." Players come from Tampa to Cocoa Beach and from Jacksonville to Ft. Lauderdale to compete. Take your game to a new level!

Applications and information are available at Orlando area Edwin Watts Golf Shops, host golf courses or by contacting Tour Director, Tom Mirus, at (407) 348-5650.  Or you can visit the website at www.orlandoagt.com and register online.