FORMAT OF PLAY

  • 54 holes of stroke-play competition - no cut. In the event of a tie for first place, there will be a sudden death playoff with hole rotation determined by Tournament Committee. 
  • 96-player maximum field based on three entry categories: Exempt, Non-Exempt & Committee Selections. See “Entry Requirements & Exemptions” item below.
  • The course will play approximately 7,100 yards and play to a par of 72.
  • Players will be required to ride (two per cart), using golf carts provided by Deerwood Country Club (DCC). No caddies will be permitted.

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

 

Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026        

6:45 a.m. Registration Opens, 8:00 a.m. split tee start, followed by lunch

Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026            

8:00 a.m. split tee start, followed by lunch

Monday, Jan. 19, 2026         

9:15  a.m. shotgun start, followed by lunch & awards

 

Weather Considerations

Every effort will be made to complete play on the scheduled day. In the event of inclement weather, the Tournament Committee, in conjunction with the host club staff, will review its options based on the circumstances presented.

 

PRACTICE ROUNDS

 

Tournament participants may play practice rounds at DCC before the event at a cost of $150 plus tax—rounds can be booked 7 days in advance . To reserve a tee time, contact DCC Pro Shop 904-642-5917. Be sure to identify yourself as a First Coast Amateur contestant. Additional practice rounds may be played at the prevailing rate.

 

Entry/Payment

  • All players must register on the JAGA website. The link can be found at www.jaxareagolf.org on the 2025/26 tournament tab
  • Entry fee is $485 and includes 3 rounds of golf, awards and lunch daily. 
  • Entries will close on 8 AM EST on Tuesday January 6th 2026. 

 

ELIGIBILITY

 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS & EXEMPTIONS

  • Age 16 or older on or before January 17th 2026
  • Required Entry Information
    • Name, address, cell phone, email, GHIN, date of birth
    • Competitive Resume - Last two years events and finish position (scores not necessary)
    • Exemption Claimed (see exempt criteria below)
    • Current WAGR ranking (if applicable
    • GHIN or World Handicap number and index of 2.0 or less

Exemptions

  • Registration for all opens  October 15th 2025.  Those meeting Exempt criteria will be accepted from October 15th until 5 p.m. November 21, 2025
  • Exemptions will be granted for:
    • First Coast Amateur Champions of the past 5 years
    • Top 20 and ties in the 2025 First Coast Amateur
    • Top 2,000 WAGR ranking at time of registration
    • Top 10 and ties at the 2025 JAGA Jacksonville Amateur
    • Member of 2025 Underwood Cup Amateur Team
    • North Florida Junior Golf Tour (2 spots)  

In the event of 96 or more exempt players, committee will determine order of selection. Please indicate what exemption you are claiming on your entry.

 

Open Registration

  • Non-Exempt players should register during the Exempt player registration period beginning October 15th, 2025. They will be placed in a 'pending acceptance' queue until the close of Exempt Registration on November 21st, 2025
  • Open Registration entrants will be placed in the tournament from 5:01 p.m. November 21, 2025 until 5 p.m. January 9, 2026
  • Once Exempt player registration closes (November 21, 2025), The Committee will reserve 10 of the remaining entries for Committee Selection.
  • All remaining entries which meet the minimum entry requirements will be selected based golf resume and committee selections

 

Committee Selection

  • The Tournament Committee will award 10 spots in the field at its discretion. These entries are typically granted toward the end of the entry period
  • Selection will be based primarily on Competitive Resume over the past 2 years
  • Non-Exempt players must include a Competitive Resume (CR) covering the past two years indicating event and finish position
  • The CR will be used to determine Committee Selections and fill any withdrawals

 

Alternates

The First Coast Amateur (FCA) has established the following procedure for selecting potential alternates should there be a "no show" or "WD" the morning of the first round of the FCA.  

  • To be considered a ‘First-Round Alternate’, the individual must have previously registered for the FCA and MUST check in at the registration table and identify themselves as a potential alternate.
  • Individual MUST leave a cell phone number with the registration table for notification.
  • Priority for alternates will be based on the tournament registration entry number of those registering (Lowest entry number is 1st alt, second lowest is 2nd alt, etc.).
  • The registration entry order list will be at the registration table.

Withdrawals and Refunds

  • Players withdrawing prior to Close of Entry on January 9, 2025 at 5p.m. EST will have their entry fee refunded minus a $25 administration fee
  • Players withdrawing between January 9th at 5:01 p.m. EST and January 15th at 11:59 p.m. EST will have their entry fee refunded minus a $100 administration fee
  • No refunds will be given after 11:59 p.m. EST January 15th 2026. 

 

PLACE/TIES/PRIZES

  • Based on a full field , the prize pool will be approximately $5,800 for the top 20 finishers and ties. Competitors will receive shop credit in the well-stocked Deerwood Golf shop. 

 

 

TOURNAMENT CONTACTS

 

COMMITTEE CONTACTS

Jeff Johnstone

Co-Chairman, First Coast Amateur
JAGA, Co-VP Tournaments/ Director-Sawgrass CC
Email: jstoner1980@gmail.com
Cell:    404-867-5385

 

John Milton

Co-Chairman, First Coast Amateur

JAGA, Director-Jax Beach GC

Email: jmm32225@gmail.com

Cell:    904-477-3020