Christopher Carlin won the boys 13-15 division of the Florida Junior Tour (FJT) event at the Walt Disney World Resort’s Palm Course as Amelia Lewis won the girls 13-15 division.
Carlin, 15, of Pembroke Pines, fired a 2-under par 70 in the second round to move into first place. With five birdies, Carlin’s second round score of 70 was the only under par score of the final day. Combined with his 74 in the first round, Carlin won the event with an even par 144. This is Carlin’s second FJT event and first victory. The first round leader, Brooks Koepka, tied with Eric Black for second place as each junior recorded a two round total of 145. Koepka, 14, of Wellington, playing in his first FJT event, led with a 2-under 70 in the first round and posted a 75 in the final round to fall to second place. Black, 15, from Celebration, shot a 71-74 to finish one back from Carlin. In June, Black won the FJT event at Marsh Landing Country Club shooting a 70-72—142. Four juniors tied for fourth place including the 2004 Boys State Junior Champion Wesley Graham, of Port Orange. The boys division played from 6450 yards out.
Playing in her first FJT event, Amelia Lewis, 13, won the girls division shooting an 81-75—156. Lewis, of Jacksonville, shot the low round of the tournament for the girls with her second round score of 75. Meghan Chapman, 14, of Seminole, placed second with an 81-78—159 while Evan Jensen, 15, from Belleair, took third place posting a 78-82—160. This is Jensen’s best finish in an FJT event as she has placed fourth and fifth in two previous events. Jordyn Hage, 13, of Winter Park, aced the 8th hole from approximately 135 yards out with a seven iron. Hage shot an 81-87—168 to place eighth. The girls played the Palm Course from 5500 yards out.
Conducted by the Florida State Golf Association, The Florida Junior Tour (FJT) is a junior golf tour offering highly competitive and affordable competitions for juniors in Florida. Since the response was so great to the FJT’s first season, the 2004-2005 FJT season consists of 13 events for the state’s top junior golfers. Beginning September and running through May, the FJT schedule will play at some of the state’s top courses including The Club at TwinEagles and Orange County National. The FJT’s focus is on quality, affordability and integrity. Tournaments consist of 36 holes conducted over 2 days, typically weekends, with an entry fee of $95. Scholarship entry is available to junior golfers unable to afford the entry fee.
Working closely with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), FJT top competitors will receive exemptions and performance points towards AJGA events. The FJT is the only Florida tour to participate in the AJGA’s Performance Based Process. In addition, all FJT events will be ranked by the Junior Golf Scoreboard, which helps junior golfers market themselves without having to travel the country. The FJT will maintain a points list to assist in determining Junior Player-of-the-Year and invitations to other tournaments.
Generally, entries will be accepted based upon the order of receipt but players may also gain exemptions through different means. Non-exempt players may receive added priority based upon their playing ability as documented in their application. Juniors can receive season-long exemptions, exempt status into three events and be exempt into one event. Exemptions are posted online at www.floridajuniortour.org.
The FJT website, www.floridajuniortour.org, is a great source for juniors and parents. There, participants can register for membership and tournaments as well as view player profiles, scoring history, and other valuable information.
