Before reaching the Championship, more than 875 participants attempted to qualify at one of 16 sites across the state, which was the third largest total for entries filed. In the Championship, participants will play 18 holes each on Bay Hill Club & Lodge and Orange Tree Golf Club on June 24-25. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the low 70 and ties. The final 36 holes of the Championship will be played on Bay Hill Club & Lodge on June 26-27.

The 2010 field features five past Amateur Champions including two time champion 1995 & 1997, Mark Leetzow, of Sarasota. Leetzow will be joined by the 2005 Champion Ryan Abbate, of Fort Lauderdale. Richard Maddox, from Panama City, won the 2003 Amateur to earn exempt status as did 1998 Champion Daniel Owen, from Ocala, and 1990 Champion Robbie Davis, of Lakeland. Five Florida Boys Junior Champions are in the field including reigning Champion Brandon Park, from Weston, the 2009 (13-15) Champion Evan Byrd, of Ocala, the 2007 (16-18) Champion Michael Hebert, Orlando, the 2007 (13-15) Champion Hojin Kang, of Longwood, and the 2006 (13-15) Champion Tyler McCumber, of Ponte Vedra Beach.

In all, 36 players earned exempt status through a variety of different means. The average age of the participants is 28 years old. There are eight players over the age of 50 while 66 competitors are 25 years of age and younger. The Florida Junior Tour (FJT) is well represented with 13 members competing for the title.

Started in 1914, the Florida Amateur Championship is the oldest continuous sporting event in the state as well as the largest amateur event in Florida. Past Amateur champions include Bob Murphy, Jerry Pate, and PGA Tour players David Peoples, Chris Couch, and Barry Cheesman.

Spectators and media are welcome to watch the state’s best amateur golfers compete at Bay Hill Club & Lodge and Orange Tree Golf Club. For tee-times, pairings and results please see www.fsga.org.