The 13-15 age division headed down to Estero, FL this weekend to take on one of the toughest courses on the FJT schedule...Old Corkscrew Golf Club.
Old Corkscrew Golf Club, designed, by Jack Nicklaus, is one of the toughest tests in Florida. The course is always in great condition and fun to play, however, shots that miss their mark are usually penalizing or require skilled recovery shots.
The weather was a factor on Saturday. Passing storms caused a two hour rain delay and the last group finished their round as the sun was setting. Sunday's final round saw sunny skies with winds gusting up to 23 mph.
The boys division played the course at just under 6,500 yards. Brandon Mancheno, of Jacksonville, fired an even par 72 and held a one shot lead over Alberto Martinez, of Weston. Jonathon Cachon and Andrew Kozan sat in a tie for 3rd with 3 over par 75's.
In the final round, players faced sunny, but windy conditions. The round 1 leaders could not replicate their Saturday performance and the door swung open for the players who were just a few shots back. The reigning 13-15 FJT Tour Champion took advantage. Andrew Kozan, of Palm Beach Gardens, made birdies on 3, 8, & 11 to card a final round 74 (75-74--149) and a one shot victory. First round leader Brandon Mancheno (72-78-150), Alberto Martinez (73-77--150), Jonathon Cachon (75-75--150), and Robert Eisch (77-73--150) finished the event in a tie for second.
The was Andrew Kozan's first win in 2014. He won the 13-15 age division at the FJT Tour Championship at TPC Sawgrass last December. This win should assure Andrew enough points to receive an invite to the Junior Florida Cup, which is to be held at Sara Bay County Club on July 28-29.
Shin Does it Again
Old Corkscrew ha
s always been a particular tough test for the girls division. There was nothing new this weekend as the low round was a 76, carded by Brittany Shin and Dana Williams.
Both of those 76's came in the first round. Shin, fresh off of her win three weeks ago at Sandridge Golf Club played a steady round of golf. Her 76 was a card full of pars with a few bogeys sprinkled in. In her first Florida Junior Tour event, Dana Williams, of Boca Raton, put herself atop the leaderboard after the first round. Williams, who turned 13 at the end of last year, made 4 birdies en route to her 76. Alyssa Lamoureux, Anne Yu, and Nicole Polivchak all trailed by one with first round 77's.
In the final round, Brittany Shin birdied two of her first three holes to take the early lead. The rest of her day was up and down as she finished with a 79 (76-79--155). Luckily for her, none of the other contenders could take advantage. Williams went out in 41 and came in with a 39. She finished one shot back with a final round 80 (76-80--156). None of the golfers tied for third after round one could take down Shin either. Alyssa Lamoureux came the closest, carding a (77-79--156). Williams and Lamoureux finished tied for second.
This was Shin's second victory in a row, as her game is coming into form. She has finished no worse than 4th in four FJT events so far this year. Shin looks to take down Orange County National in her next event during Memorial Day weekend.
Full results
