RTJ Golf Trail at The Shoals, Fighting Joe CourseMUSCLE SHOALS, AL (August 2, 2023) – The Alabama Golf Association’s 22nd Alabama State Match Play and 3rd Alabama State Senior Match Play Championships will be held at RTJ Golf Trail at The Shoals (Fighting Joe) in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, from Aug. 3-6, 2023.
Championship Links: Starting Times (Round 1) | Scoring & Results | Club Website | Championship Website
This year marks the 22nd playing of the Alabama State Match Play Championship and the first time that RTJ Golf Trail at The Shoals (Fighting Joe) has hosted the Alabama State Match Play Championship. Jack Goldasich of Birmingham won the title in 2022 at Musgrove Country Club. The Championship was first played in 2001 with Will Swift winning the inaugural event. Patton Kizzire holds the record with 2 victories (2003, 2006). Steven Hudson of Birmingham won the Alabama State Senior Match Play title in 2022 at Musgrove Country Club. Shaw Pritchett of Montgomery claimed the inaugural Alabama State Senior Match Play Championship title in 2021 at Auburn University Club.
Championship Facts
22nd Alabama State Match Play Championship
Entries are open to any male amateur golfer who is a legal resident of Alabama and has an active GHIN® USGA Handicap Index® at an AGA member club that does not exceed 8.4.
Championship Yardage: 7144 yards (36-36–72)
Course/Slope Rating: 74.0/138
Format:
● 36 holes of gross individual stroke play to determine 16 players for match play. A tie for the last qualifier’s place will be decided immediately by a hole-by-hole playoff. Players are responsible for making themselves available at the scoreboard for playoff instructions. The play-off holes and their order of play will be determined by the Committee.
● Match Play Seeding: General numerical draw will be used. For purposes of determining places in the draw, ties in qualifying rounds will be decided by lot.
● Match Play stipulated round is 18 holes. In the event of a match standing all square after 18 holes, the stipulated round is deemed to extend on a hole-by-hole basis until a winner is determined.
3rd Alabama State Senior Match Play Championship
Entries are open to any male amateur golfer who is a legal resident of Alabama, has an active GHIN® USGA Handicap Index® at an AGA member club that does not exceed 10.4 and has reached his 50th birthday by Aug. 3, 2023.
Championship Yardage: 6506 yards (36-36–72)
Course/Slope Rating: 71.5/130
Format:
● 36 holes of gross individual stroke play to determine 16 players for match play. A tie for the last qualifier’s place will be decided immediately by a hole-by-hole playoff. Players are responsible for making themselves available at the scoreboard for play-off instructions. The play-off holes and their order of play will be determined by the Committee.
● Match Play Seeding: General numerical draw will be used. For purposes of determining places in the draw, ties in qualifying rounds will be decided by lot.
● Match Play stipulated round is 18 holes. In the event of a match standing all square after 18 holes, the stipulated round is deemed to extend on a hole-by-hole basis until a winner is determined.
Championship Schedule:
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
All Day: Practice rounds.
9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: Player Registration in the Clubhouse Foyer adjacent to the golf shop.
Thursday, August 3, 2023
1st Round, 18 holes Stroke Play: 9:00 a.m. Shotgun Start.
Friday, August 4, 2023
2nd Round, 18 holes Stroke Play: 9:00 a.m. Shotgun Start.
Saturday, August 5, 2023
Round of 16: Tee times at 7:30 a.m. off #1.
Quarterfinals: Tee times off #1 tee as match is finalized.
Sunday, August 6, 2023
Semifinals: Tee times at 7:30 a.m. off #1.
Final: Tee time off #1 tee as match is finalized.
Awards ceremony immediately following play at scoreboard.
This Championship is conducted by the Alabama Golf Association.
About the Alabama Golf Association (AGA)
The Alabama Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization founded in 1915 whose mission is to serve and promote amateur golf in Alabama. AGA membership consists of over 120 member clubs represented by over 27,000 individuals. The activities and services of the Alabama Golf Association are governed by a Board of Directors consisting of Alabama golfers who wish to serve the game and the association through service.
AGA is the USGA's liaison for golf in Alabama conducting national championship qualifying, administering the USGA Handicap system including the GHIN Handicap service, course & slope rating and education. The AGA annually conducts 23 championships and team match competitions for men, women, juniors, and seniors. The AGA also conducts Alabama high school golf championships and assists with many collegiate events including the SEC Men's Golf Championship. In addition to competitions, the AGA administers the AGA Women's Scholarship Fund that is dedicated to assisting young female golfers in higher education and supports the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation.
Since 1980, the AGA has managed the affairs of the Southern Golf Association which includes conducting the Southern Amateur Championship and Southern Junior Championship, in conjunction with the Board of Directors of the Southern Golf Association.
For more information about the Alabama Golf Association, visit www.alabamagolf.org.
Media Contact:
Savannah Russo
Manager of Media, Marketing & Communications
Alabama Golf Association
205-803-6524
savannah@alabamagolf.org
