Lots of things happening on Amelia Island with every course situation in some form of turmoil:

• The city is preparing to dump the golf course and has Request For Proposals out. They previously leased the marina to a private company and we hear the airport is next. Jacksonville Beach architect Bobby Weed appears to be the frontrunner but pro Scott Womble also is bidding.

• Amelia River, originally built as Royal Amelia, had been run by the Amelia Island Plantation ownership group but they put it back on the Bank of South Carolina. Now, Davis Love’s organization is running it, and it’s strictly a public course. Good move: retaining pro Barry Richardson.

• The Plantation sale is getting close and the next big date is August 23, when the court has an auction. The probable buyer — pending an agreement with the property owners’ association — is an Atlanta-based company. There hasn’t been much positive news on the island golf scene for some time but residents see some light now.

• Long Point will be managed by The Heritage Group, a California company that owns and operates courses, mostly in the Southeast.

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The Jacksonville Area GA Amateur is next week with defending champ Duke Butler IV and State Am champ Sean Dale in the field. They’ll start 84 with a cut after Friday’s round.

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Garber Automall has signed on as the title sponsor for the JAGA Junior at Eagle Landing on Aug. 9-10.

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Lots of good words about Jay Jennison, who died last week, and his accomplishments were many. He was most recognized around here for starting the St.Augustine Amateur, which he built into one of the south’s best amateur events, but few mentioned his playing ability.

He played in several U.S. Amateurs and was a factor in area events. Most impressive: he shot 80 from the back tees at Timuquana with a chemo drip package strapped to his hip.

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The LPGA may yet have an event in Florida this year. They lost their site for the Tour Championship and are looking for an Orlando club. It probably would be in November.



Fred Seely is editor of golfnewsjax.com.