Entering its sixth year, the Jacksonville Area Golf Association’s (JAGA) First Coast Amateur continues to enjoy growing appeal and popularity among the nation’s top amateur golfers. The Conservatory at Hammock Beach Golf Resort and Spa will host the event for the third year.
Interest in the upcoming (Jan. 15-17) championship was so strong this year that 140 players signed up within four weeks of the Nov. 1 start of registration. That number grew to as many as 177 in December.
Thirty-seven of the 96 available playing spots were allocated based on seven exemption categories. An additional 10 committee picks were awarded Dec. 23 to round out the field.
With interest growing nationally in the 54-hole stroke-play event, the field for 2022 will be its strongest ever. This year’s event will have more players ranked inside the top 2,000 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking than any previous First Coast Amateur.
The 96 players hail from 17 countries, 22 states and 34 colleges and universities. The latter figure is four more than any of the five previous tournaments.
Local representation is strong with Flagler College, the University of North Florida and Jacksonville University having five, four and three team members, respectively, in the field.
Once again, JAGA has extended two exemptions to the North Florida Junior Golf Tour. Representing the junior tour will be Connor Hess, 16, of Episcopal School of Jacksonville and Adam Vermut, 18, of Wolfson High School.
