VERO BEACH, Fla. – Mother nature didn’t hold back for both rounds at Sandridge Golf Club this weekend. Players endured delays both Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, along with winds gusting up to 40 mph on Sunday. Maddox Ketelaar took home the win in the Boys (13-15) division and Nicole Sardinha claimed the Girls (13-15) division.
Boys (13-15)
Round one brought some heavy winds and afternoon thunderstorms. Jude Desmond of Pompano Beach got off to a hot start with three birdies in a row on his front nine. Desmond ended his day with a 1-under 71 and a stacked leaderboard behind him.
Players underwent a one hour and forty-five minute lightning delay and tornado warning before tee times started Sunday morning. With the gusting winds it was a very adverse day for players. With only the back nine to play it was a very tight race between Jessy Huebner and Maddox Ketelaar. Ketelaar stayed consistent throughout the whole day with only three bogies and a birdie to shoot a 2-over 74 and overall 148. Huebner bogied his last hole to put him in a playoff with Ketelaar and they both headed to the par-4 tenth hole. Ketelaar parred the first playoff hole to capture his first FJT victory.
Mateo Desmond came out in solo third place shooting 75-76—151.
Girls (13-15)
The Girls (13-15) thankfully did not have to endure any delays on Saturday. Nicole Sardinha of Doral posted a 2-over 38 on her front nine, but gained some momentum on her back nine with a 3-under 33 to give her a three shot lead going into Sunday. Sardinha’s 1-under 71 was the only under par round of the tournament in both divisions.
Katie Yang posted an even-par 36 on her front nine on Sunday to climb up the leaderboard in the windy conditions. However, Sardinha maintained her lead throughout the day and posted a 6-over 78 to claim her four shot victory.
Krishny Elwin and Hannah Hall finished in a tie for third posting a 10-over 154.
