The Florida Junior Tour, 16-18 age division, returned to River Wilderness Golf & Country Club in Parrish for the second straight season. Once again, the course was in great condition and proved to be a fun test of golf for the juniors.
A handful of players were able to conquer the challenging windy conditions, Saturday, at River Wilderness Golf & Country Club, in Parrish. In the Girls' Division, Terese Romeo, opened with a two-under par 70, while Megan Pollenz and Courtney Zeng both fired 71 to stand one stroke behind going into Sunday's final round. The Boys' division would see five players break par. Logan Membrino and Patrick Mills both opened with 69 (-3) to share the overnight lead. Zac Smith and Andrew Hammett both fired two-under par 70, while Mark Nauert posted 71 (-1) to round out the top five.
On Sunday, the conditions would again prove to be challenging for the players. In the Girls' Division, starting on hole number 10, Romeo would birdie the 18th hole to go out in 37 (+1) and extend her lead to two strokes over Pollenz and three strokes over Zeng. Romeo would post another birdie on the par five, fourth hole to extend the lead. Even faltering with a bogey, bogey finish on eight and nine, Romeo, of Tampa, (70-74--144) held on for a one stroke victory over Courtney Zeng, of Orlando (71-74--145). Megan Pollenz, of Tampa, (71-75--146) finished alone in third place.
In the Boys' Division, both Mills and Membrino would go out in even par, while Hammett and Smith both fell back. Membrino would convert for birdie on the par-3, 12th while Mills would make bogey giving Membrino a two stroke lead. Logan Membrino, of Ponte Vedra Beach, (69-72--141) bogeyed the 18th to post even-par 72 on Sunday and earn the win by two strokes. Kevin Slayden, of Ponte Vedra Beach, (75-68--143) would post the low round of the tournament, with a final round 68, that included five birdies and one bogey to finish in second place. Donald Gabrelick, of Trinity, (73-71--144) and Patrick Mills, of Tampa, (69-75--144) would finish tied for third place.
The 16-18 Division heads to West Orange Country Club, in Winter Garden February 21-22. Click here to view the field and pairings.
