Boynton Beach, FLA. – In the final 9-12 event of the calendar year, four players grabbed a victory to gain momentum heading into the spring season. Benny Minter (9-10), Alyna Yensabai (9-10), Axel Monssoh (11-12) and Iris Lee (11-12) all battled through the winds at Indian Spring Country Club.
Boys (11-12)
On day one of the Boys (11-12) Division, Martin Bustos of Chattanooga, Tennessee was the lone score under par in the division to grab a three shot lead over Jack Cole. With gusting winds, Indian Spring showed its teeth, with the scoring average being nearly three shots higher than on day two. Bustos played a fairly steady round, with five birdies and three bogeys.
Day two came around, and Axel Monssoh stole the show. Monssoh, sitting four shots back of the round one leader, knew he needed to come out swinging, and he did just that. His front nine consisted of two eagles and two birdies for a front nine score of six-under par. The heat continues with birdies on 10 and 16 to get him to 8 under, but bogeyed the last to holes to finish at 66. However, it did not matter, with him grabbing the the two shot victory over Kai Jorde.
Boys (9-10)
Unlike the 11-12 Division, there were no under par scores during round one. Benny Minter and Atom Zhang took a share of the lead at one-over par, 73, with multiple other players within striking distance.
Minter and Zhang traded blows all day during round two, with Zhang taking the early lead birdieing the first two holes out of the gate. After 9 holes, it was Zhang who took a one shot lead. Minter’s back nine score of one-under gave him the victory, with an untimely double bogey from Zhang on the 17th hole.
Girls (11-12)
Both Girls Divisions saw wire-to-wire winners, with Iris Lee coming out on top in the 11-12 Division. Lee’s steady round of three birdies and one bogey gave her the lead over Alexandra Phung, who fired a first round 71.
The fireworks didn’t begin to happen until the final hole on day 2. Phung grabbed a hold of the lead on the 16th hole, then immediately gave it back on 17. Coming down to the last hole, the par 3 9th, Lee held the honor on the tee. With the pressure in full force, she stuck it to six feet and made the putt to win by one.
Girls (9-10)
In the 9-10 Division, Alyna Yensabai took the lead immediately and never looked back. After grabbing a seven shot lead in the first round, she was on cruise control for the remainder of round two. Even with two double bogeys, Yensabai never let it bother her, as she remained calm to grab a four shot victory.
Mia Heuberger’s second round 73 was enough to give her the round of the day and remain in second place by a wide margin.
