The Florida Junior Tour made its way over to Winter Garden this weekend to West Orange Country Club. The thirty-six hole individual stroke-play event was conducted under next to perfect weather conditions. Juniors had a good test of skill throughout the two-day event by competing on a challenging course layout and tough greens. The Florida State Golf Association would like to thank West Orange Country Club for once again hosting us, as they are always such a pleasure to work with.
In the Boys 13-15 Division, Brandon Mancheno of Jacksonville continued his exceptional play and opened with a five-under-par 66 to take a three stroke lead over Joseph Pagdin, of Orlando and Thomas Regan, of Ocala. “Go low” was the motto for the Boys Division on Sunday, seeing numerous red numbers posted on the board. The result; a four-way tie for third place: Patrick Wu, of Winter Garden (70-72), Dhruv Patel, of Valrico (74-68), Manuel Girona, of Windermere (76-66), and first round leader Mancheno (66-76) all finishing at even par, 142. Wocheng (Aden) Ye of Lake Mary, recorded an even par 71 for his final round to post a two-under-par 140 for the event, taking second place honors. Sitting six shots back of Mancheno after round one was Chris Kern, of Tampa, who kept focus on a low final round to make a run on the final day. Recording five birdies, including one on the challenging par 4, 18th, in his final round, Kern rounded out the tournament shooting a 72-67—139 to take first place honors for the weekend, as well as his first ever FJT victory.
In the Girls 13-15 Division, Latanna Stone of Valrico posted a one-under-par 70 for her opening round, with only a one shot lead over Jennifer Zhou of Longwood. It looked to be a close race between the two on Sunday. Zhou came out strong with two birdies on her opening nine, sitting even with Stone at the turn after Stone was only able to record one birdie on the 330 yard, par-4, No. 12. Determined, Stone had other plans. Recording three birdies and one bogey on her back nine, and with Zhou shooting even par, Stone came out victorious posting a three-under-par 68 for her final round to win by two. Sophie Membrino of Ponte Vedra Beach played exceptionally all weekend, earning her third place honors for the Girls Division at 72-74—146. Latanna earned her first Florida Junior Tour win of 2015, but this was the 10th overall FJT win for the 13 year old who has been playing on the tour since she was 8.
The next Florida Junior Tour 13-15 Division event will be held at Timacuan Golf and Country Club, April 25-26 in Lake Mary. We look forward to seeing you there.
