TAMPA, Fla. – The Florida State Golf Association, in conjunction with the FSGA Foundation, is proud to announce the 40 junior golfers named to the 2023 Team Florida. These 40 players were chosen based on performance in FSGA and USGA championships, along with sportsmanship, etiquette, integrity and passion.
This year Team Florida welcomes 20 newcomers, while there are 20 juniors returning to the team.
Team Florida is an awards program that identifies the top junior golfers from around the state. These players have not only demonstrated exceptional playing ability in local, state and national competitions, but also display sportsmanship and etiquette.
The FSGA and its Foundation recognizes the significant costs incurred by the families of junior golfers in perusing a competitive schedule. Families incur expenses for entry fees, transportation, lodging, meals and equipment that easily total into the thousands of dollars each year.
Team Florida members will receive financial assistance to help offset the costs associated with competing in junior golf. Members will receive $1,000-$2,000 per year, along with additional financial assistance for players who qualify for USGA championships.
In the first year of this program, the FSGA will provide more than $50,000 of support to junior golfers.
Forty (40) players, from 13 to 18 years of age will be selected each year. Players will come from each of four FSGA age divisions but not necessarily in equal numbers, since some players transition from the younger division to the older division during the year. Members will be chosen based on performance in FSGA and USGA championships, along with sportsmanship, etiquette, integrity and passion. While selections to the team are made annually, juniors may be chosen in subsequent years.
The FSGA Foundation works to protect, preserve, and grow the great game of golf. The Foundation is focused on the development and advancement of our junior golfers, awarding college scholarships to golfers around the state and providing tournament assistance to junior golfers across Florida.
To learn more about the program, click here.
Meet the 2023 Team
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 Brianna Castaldi | Port Saint Lucie | 2023- 2022 Girls’ Junior Champion carding rounds of 75-70-70 - Captured a third-place finish at the 2022 FJT Tour Championship - Advanced to the Round of 32 at the 2022 Women’s Amateur Championship - Finished in the top-five at the 2022 FJT PGA Golf Club *54-Hole Major* - Currently fourth in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings |
 Phillip Dunham | Ponte Vedra Beach | 2026- Captured two wins at FJT events in 2022: FJT Jacksonville Beach Open (77-67), and the FJT Fairwinds Open (69-68) - Secured a top-five finish at the 2022 FJT Tour Championship - Qualified for and competed in stroke play at the 2022 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship - Collected two second-place finishes in FJT events in 2021 including at the FJT Tour Championship with rounds of 75-73-69 - Currently first in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings |
 Sofia Cherif Essakali | Orlando | 2027- Won the 2022 FJT Capital City Open posting rounds of 68-75 - Secured five second-place finishes at FJT events in 2022: FJT Ocala Open (72-70), FJT Jacksonville Beach Open (75-71), FJT River Hills Open (81-72), FJT Royal Palm Open (75-74), and the FJT Palm Harbor Open (72-78) - Captured a victory at the 2021 Futures Championship posting rounds of 67-75 - Currently first in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings |
 Lucas Gimenez | Jacksonville | 2027- Finished in third place at the 2022 Boys’ Junior Championship carding rounds of 74-72-72 - Secured a fourth-place finish at the 2022 FJT New Smyrna Open - Captured three victories in 2021: FJT Palm Harbor Open (70-70), FJT Myakka Pines Open (70-73), and the FJT LPGA Open (71-70) - Currently second in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings |
 Bella Dovhey | Orlando | 2026- Captured a top-15 finish at the 2022 Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship carding rounds of 76-69-73 - Secured a top-10 at the 2022 Girls’ Junior Championship - Advanced to the Round of 32 at the 2022 Women’s Amateur Championship - Collected six top-10 finishes at FJT events in 2022Currently third in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings |
 Camden Goldknopf | Ponte Vedra | 2024- Won the 2022 FJT Pam McCloskey-Brosnihan Open with rounds of 69-69 - Secured six top-10 finishes at FJT events in 2022 - Finished inside the top-15 at the 2022 Boys’ Junior Championship - Finished in seventh place at the 2021 FJT Palm Aire *Exempt Only* with rounds of 72-69 - Currently seventh in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings |
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 Matvey Golovanov | Boca Raton | 2025- Captured a top-10 finish at the 2022 FJT PGA Golf Club *54-Hole Major* with rounds of 74-70-71 - Qualified for and competed in stroke play at the 2022 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship - Finished inside the top-five at the 2022 FJT Santa Lucia *Exempt Only* - Collected four victories in 2021 including a win at the Boys’ Junior Championship carding rounds of 74-70-74 - Currently first in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings |
 Hannah Hall | Rockledge | 2026- Captured a victory at the 2022 FJT Jacksonville Beach Open with rounds of 72-74 - Advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2022 Junior Amateur Match Play - Collected two third-place finishes at FJT events in 2022 - Finished inside the top-10 at the 2022 FJT Tour Championship - Currently seventh in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings |
 Alex Long | Lakewood Ranch | 2024- 2022 Junior Player of the Year - Captured a victory at the 2022 FJT Tour Championship - Finished inside the top-10 at every FJT event played in 2022 - Captured a second-place finish at the 2022 Boys’ Junior Championship with rounds of 72-68-71 - Qualified for and competed in stroke play at the 2022 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship - Currently first in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings |
 Katelyn Huber | Gainesville | 2025- Captured two FJT wins in 2022: FJT University of Florida *54-Hole Major* (71-72-79), and the FJT Tour Championship (73-76-72) - Secured two second-place finishes at FJT events in 2022 - Advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2022 Women’s Amateur Championship - Finished inside the top-10 at the 2022 FJT Pam McCloskey-Brosnihan Open - Currently third in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings |
 Beni Long | Lakewood Ranch | 2023- Finished inside the top-10 at the 2022 Boys’ Junior Championship with an opening round of 69 - Secured another top-10 finish at the 2022 FJT Tour Championship - Collected three top-5 finishes in FJT events in 2021 - Captured a victory at the 2020 FJT Tour Championship - Currently inside the top-15 in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings - Signed with the University of Kansas |
 Ryleigh Knaub | Debary | 2025- Collected two second-place finishes at FJT events in 2022: FJT Santa Lucia *Exempt Only* (75-69), and the FJT Sugar Mill Open (72) - Secured a third-place finish at the 2022 Pam McCloskey-Brosnihan Open carding rounds of 71-72 - Advanced to the Round of 32 at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship with partner, Izzy Pellot - Captured two victories in 2021: FJT Palm Aire *Exempt Only* (70-69), and the FJT Tour Championship (72-68-71) - Currently second in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings |
 Nicholas Prieto | Miami | 2023- Currently first in the state of Florida and 28th world wide according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings - Secured a top-10 finish at the 2022 Boys’ Junior - Advanced to the Round of 32 at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship - Captured a second-place finish at the 2022 FJT Florida State University 54-hole Major - 2021 Boys’ Junior Champion - Signed with Arizona State University |
 Chloe Kovelesky | Boca Raton | 2025- Won the 2022 FJT Duran *Exempt Only* carding rounds of 70-69 - Captured another victory at the 2022 Women’s Four-Ball Championship, posting rounds of 61-66 with partner, Gabriella Albert - Qualified for the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open - Secured a top-20 finish at the 2020 Women’s Amateur Championship |
 Hans Risvaer | Miami | 2023- Won the 2022 FJT Black Diamond *54-hole Major* with consecutive opening rounds of 68 - Captured a second win in 2022 at the FJT Santa Lucia *Exempt Only* - Finished inside the top-20 at the 2022 Boys’ Junior Championship - Finished inside the top-10 in six of 10 FJT events played in 2021 - Currently third in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings |
 Mi Li | Orlando | 2025- Captured a second-place finish at the 2022 Girls’ Junior Championship, carding rounds of 71-72-74 - Collected three third-place finishes at FJT events in 2022: FJT Stone Creek Open, FJT Skyview Open, and the FJT Grasslands Open - Qualified for and competed in stroke play at the 2022 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship - Advanced to the round of 32 at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship with partner, Bridget Ma - Currently first in the state of Florida and ranked within the top-75 worldwide according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings |
 Lorenzo Rodriguez | Miami | 2025- Secured a third-place finish at the 2022 Boys’ Junior Championship posting rounds of 72-71-75 - Finished inside the top-10 at the 2022 FJT Tour Championship - Collected three second-place finishes at FJT events in 2022 - Qualified for and competed in stroke play at the 2022 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship - Currently inside the top-15 in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings
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 Madison Moman | Palm Beach | 2025- Captured four victories at FJT events in 2022: FJT Eagle Harbor Open (67-76), FJT Royal Palm Open (71-69), FJT Sugar Mill Open (70), and the FJT PGA Golf Club *54-Hole Major* (69-74-72) - Secured a top-15 finish at the 2022 Girls’ Junior Championship - Qualified for and competed in stroke play at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship with partner Haley Davis - Currently in the top-15 in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings |
 Miles Russell | Jacksonville Beach | 2027- Captured three wins at FJT events in 2022: FJT University of Florida *54-Hole Major* (66-74-70), FJT Capital City Open (68-72), and the FJT Heritage Oaks Open (70-69) - Finished in second place at the 2022 FJT Tour Championship posting scores of 74-77-69 - Qualified for and advanced to match play at the 2022 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship - Collected two more second-place finishes at FJT events in 2022 - Currently first in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings |
 Honorine Nobuta Ferry | West Palm Beach | 2028- Captured three wins at FJT events in 2022: FJT Tour Championship (72-78-73), FJT Fairwinds Open (71-70), and the Next 100 Junior Invitational (75-78-75) - Advanced to Match Play at the 2022 Women’s Amateur Championship - Secured two second-place finishes at FJT events in 2022: FJT Harbor Hills Open and the FJT Black Diamond *54-Hole Major* - Won four FJT events in 2021 - Currently first in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings |
 Parker Severs | Lakewood Ranch | 2025- Captured three wins at FJT events in 2022 including: FJT Ocala Open (73-69), FJT Royal Palm Open (72-71), and the FJT Palm Harbor Open (70-69) - Finished inside the top-15 at the 2022 FJT Tour Championship - Collected three top-10 finishes at FJT events in 2022 - Currently ranked within the top-20 in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings |
 Layla Pedrique | West Palm Beach | 2025- Captured two wins at FJT events in 2022: FJT Stone Creek (69-71), and the FJT Santa Lucia *Exempt Only* (69-75) - Advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2022 Women’s Amateur Championship - Finished inside the top-10 at the 2022 FJT Tour Championship - Qualified for and competed in stroke play at the 2022 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship - Currently fifth in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings |
 Camden Smith | Ponte Vedra Beach | 2023- Secured a ninth-place finish at the 2022 Boys’ Junior Championship - Finished inside the top-10 at five of six FJT events played in 2022 - Captured victory at the 2021 FJT Florida Club *Exempt Only* with rounds of 67-70 - Finished in third place at the 2021 FJT Tour Championship - Currently fifth in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings - Signed with the University of Georgia |
 Sophia Dyer | Saint Petersburg | 2026- Advanced to match play at the 2022 Women's Amateur Championship - Picked up six top-10 finishes on the Florida Junior Tour in 2022 - Finished third at the FJT OCala Open in October, her best finish of the season - Earned a top-10 finish at the 2022 Girls' Junior Championship |
 Pavel Tsar | Palm Beach Gardens | 2025- 2022 Junior Match Play Champion - Collected two more victories at FJT events in 2022 including: FJT River Hills Open and the FJT Indian Spring Open - Finished inside the top-10 at the 2022 Boys’ Junior Championship - Captured a sixth-place finish at the 2022 FJT Fairwinds Open posting rounds of 68-74 - Currently third in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings |
 Bailey Shoemaker | Dade City | 2023- First player in FSGA history to be named the Women’s Player and Girls’ Junior Player of the Year in 2022 - First ever junior golfer to win the 2022 Women’s Amateur Championship - Qualified for and made the cut at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open posting rounds of 72-70-72-79 - Advanced to the semifinals at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship - Advanced to the Round of 32 at the 2022 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship - Runner-up with partner, Kaitlyn Schroeder, at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship - Currently second in the state of Florida and fifth worldwide according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings - Signed with the University of Southern California
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 Tristan Wieland | Jupiter | 2025- Won the 2022 FJT Sandridge Open posting scores of 73-76 - Captured three second-place finishes at FJT events in 2022 including: FJT Indian Spring Open, FJT Fairwinds Open, and the FJT University of Florida *54-Hole Major* - Qualified for and competed in stroke play at the 2022 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship - Secured a win in 2021 at the FJT Sandridge *Non-Exempt* carding rounds of 75-72 - Currently inside the top-10 in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings
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 Ariana Silva | Fort Lauderdale | 2025- Captured a victory at the 2022 FJT ChampionsGate *54-Hole Major* carding rounds of 72-65-72 - Secured a second-place finish at the 2022 Girls’ Junior Championship posting scores of 72-72-70 - Collected three more top-10 finishes at FJT events in 2022 - Currently sixth in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings
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 Barry Zhang | Lake Mary | 2024- Won the 2022 FJT Florida State University *54-Hole Major* with a final round of 69 - Finished inside the top-10 at the 2022 FJT Duran *Exempt Only* - Captured a win at the 2021 FJT Lake Jovita *Exempt Only* with rounds of 71-67 - Finished inside the top-10 at each FJT event played in 2021 - Currently second in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings |
 Siuue Wu | Reunion | 2024- Captured three victories at FJT events in 2022: FJT Florida State University *54-Hole Major* (78-74-74), FJT Skyview Open (69-70), and the FJT Black Diamond *54-Hole Major* (70-72-71) - Secured a second-place finish at the 2022 FJT Tour Championship - Qualified for and competed in stroke play at the 2022 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship - Competed in 11 FJT events in 2022 and never finished outside of the top-5 - Currently third in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings |
 Darren Zhou | Bradenton | 2028- Played in only three FJT events in 2022 and captured a victory in each one and has not posted a score above 68 - 2022 FJT Indian Spring Open Champion with rounds of 63-68 - 2022 FJT Harbor Hills Open Champion with rounds of 67-68 - 2022 Futures Championship Champion posting a score of 64 - Currently second in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings
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 Reggie Zhu | Winter Garden | 2023- Captured victory at the 2022 FJT Sugar Mill Open with a round of 65 - Collected two more victories in 2022 at the FJT Harbor Hills Open and FJT Duran *Exempt Only* - Secured three second place finishes at FJT events in 2022 - Finished inside the top-25 at the 2022 Amateur Championship posting consecutive rounds of 71 - Currently inside the top-15 in the state of Florida according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings - Signed with Rice University |
 Alexandra Gazzoli | Palm Coast | 2024- Advanced to the Round of 32 at the 2022 Women’s Amateur Championship - Qualified for and competed in stroke play at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship and the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship - Captured a top-10 finish at the 2021 FJT Sugar Mill *Exempt Only* - Currently first in the state of Florida and 35th worldwide according to Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings
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