Amelia National Golf Club challenged the Florida Junior Tour 16-18 division on March 7-8. The juniors fought hard in the second round to crown two champions. Jack Comstock and Ariel Yu earned first place honors and took home trophies on Sunday.
An exciting leader board was displayed after round one. In the Boys Division, Sully Zagerman, of Windermere, posted the only round under par and led Sam Uhland by one stroke, after opening with 71. Following closely behind Uhland were four players tied for third place; Brandon Mancheno,
Spenser Slayden, Travis Trace, and William Wrigley. A mere one stroke divided each place on the score board, putting pressure on the final round. While in the Girls Division, Courtney Zeng, of Orlando, led the way with 74 and was followed closely by three girls one stroke behind.
Low scores, great weather, and fantastic golf shots made for an exciting Sunday finish. The final three pairings battled to name the champion. Zagerman, round one leader, struggled in the final group and followed up his 71 with a three-over par 75. Uhland and Zagerman played together in the final group and finished tied for fourth place with a tournament total 146. One group behind, Brandon Mancheno started a fire on the back nine and moved his way up the leader board. Mancheno, who won at Gainesville Country Club in the 13-15 division, posted three birdies in his final nine to finish two-under par, capturing second place. Jack Comstock, of Jacksonville, fought from tied for seventh place after round one, to come out on top. Four birdies and an eagle on the par five 15th hole allowed Comstock to quickly seize first place with the lowest round of the tournament, 68.
The girls' division, following the same pattern as the boys, experienced a change at the top of the scoreboard on Sunday. Ariel (SiQin) Yu, who started the day in second place, scored the low tournament round in the girls' division. Ariel, of Bradenton, shot an impressive eagle on the par four 16th hole and rolled in two birdies in her final round to shoot 70 and claim first place. Emily Uhland fought back from her first round 80, with three birdies on the back nine to finish even par. Uhland captured second place, one stroke ahead of Kelsey Zeng who finished with a 153 tournament total.
The 13-15 age division competes next at West Orange Country Club, in Winter Garden, on March 21-22. The FJT season is in full swing with many exciting venues on the schedule!
