Austin Powell captured the Boys 16-18 age division in the Junior Match Play Championship held at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples. The event was held July 27-30.
Austin Powell, of Jupiter, defeated Charlie Bull, of London, in 21 holes of the final match to claim the Championship Bracket of the Boys 16-18 age division. Powell, coming off a top ten finish at the Boys Junior Championship, won four matches before meeting Bull in the finals. Powell, the 15th seed, won his first match 3 and 2 over Jerod Sponner, of Pompano Beach, then proceeded to beat Keith Green, of DeBary, 1 up in the Round of 16. In the quarters, Powell won 3 and 2 over the 2009 Boys Junior Champion Brandon Park, of Weston. In the semi final Powell defeated Devin Hernandez, of Seminole, 3 and 1. In the finals, Powell drained an eight foot putt on the 18th hole to extend the match. After trading pars on the 19th and 20th holes, Powell hit his approach shot to the par 3 12th hole to one foot to capture the Championship.
In the Boys 16-18 Ben Hogan Bracket, Matt Cote, of Palm Harbor, defeated Lee Bowman, from New Smyrna Beach, 3 and 1 for the bracket title. In route to the finals Cote defeated Ian Booth, of Sarasota 6 and 5, John Van Vranken, of Bradenton 1 up, and Logan Hand, of Tarpon Springs 3 and 2.
In the Boys 16-18 Bobby Jones Bracket, Linzy Clark, of Palm Harbor, defeated Connor Murphy, of Valrico 1 up for the bracket title. In route to the finals Clark defeated Keaton Phillips, of Naples by default and Joshua Masterson, Davenport 7 and 5.
Sixth seed, Ian Facey, of Miami, won the Boys 13-15 age division Championship Bracket after beating Marcus Plunkett, of Saint Augustine, 1 up in the final. In route to the finals Facey defeated, Mark Giardino, of Homosassa 4 and 3, Palmer Kelly, of Jacksonville 4 and 3, and Dustin Dingus, of Palm Harbor 3 and 2.
In the Boys 13-15 Byron Nelson Bracket, Connor Richardson, of West Palm Beach, defeated David Cunningham, from Fort Lauderdale, 4 and 3 for the bracket title. In route to the finals Richardson defeated Daniel Saathoff, of Orlando by forfeit, and Dalton Council, of Jacksonville 6 and 5.
Kristine Odaiyar, of Ocala, won the Girls 13-18 age division Championship Bracket after beating Stepanie Carlozzi, of Naples, 3 and 2 in the final. In route to the finals Odaiyar earned a bye in the first round after carding a 72 to earn the top seed in the bracket. Odaiyar then defeated Stephanie Liu, of Lakewood Ranch, 3 and 2, and Emma Smyser, of Naples 2 and 1. This win also adds to Odaiyar’s victory in the Florida Junior Girls’ Championship earlier this year.
