The Florida Junior Tour 16 –18 Age Division traveled to Lake Wales Country Club this past weekend. The sun was shining, the weather was hot, and the competition was fierce.
Following round one, eight players were at even par (71) or better in the boys division, which made for a crowded leader board. Jalen Ledger’s first round of 68 gave him a one-stroke lead over Jake Holt, Henry Westmoreland, and Barry McDonnell who all shot a two-under 69.
Ledger, the round one leader, struggled in round two shooting a 79 and falling off the leader board. It was Jake Holt who persevered and shot back-to-back 69’s (138 total) to win his first FJT event of the season. Henry Westmoreland was in the hunt for most of the day, but some costly bogeys on the backside set him back. Westmoreland took home second place with a two-day total of 69-73-142. Kyler Tate finished in third place with 70-73-143.
FJT standout Emma Albrect shot a two-over 73 the first round, which gave her a one-stroke lead over Terese Romeo heading into the final round. Emma Albrecht continued with her consistent play in the final round birding three out of her first four holes (10,11 and 13). This gave her a commanding lead over Terese Romeo and fellow competitor Athena Yang who shot a first round score of 76. However, Albrecht hit a bump in the road starting on hole 15 where she made bogey and then again on hole 18 where she doubled. Terese and Emma were tied going into their final nine holes. Albrecht then bogeyed hole 1 and double bogeyed hole 2, but steadied herself with a birdie on 5 and pars the rest of the way in for a two-over par 73 and a two-stroke victory. This is Emma’s fourth Florida Junior Tour win. Terese Romeo and Athena Yang were tied for second with a tournament total of 148.
The 16-18 year old division will head to River Wilderness Golf & Country Club in Parrish, FL for their next event on May 10-11.
