Peter Kolosvary and Innapha Tantanavivat went wire-to-wire to win their respective divisions in the Florida Junior Tour (FJT) Qualifying Series event at the Belleview Biltmore Golf Club in Belleair on March 11-12.
In the boys 16-18 age division, Peter Kolosvary, 18, of Safety Harbor, wins his first FJT event with a tournament total of 4-under par 138. Kolosvary fired a 4-under par 67 in the first round, the only under par round of the first day, to lead the field of 59 juniors. Kolosvary, whose best finish was fifth this year at Disney, posted an even par 71 in the final round to win the division by five strokes. Daniel Mazziotta, 17, of Fort Myers, took second place with scores of 72-71—143 as Dan Kellermann, 16, of Jacksonville, placed third finishing with a tournament total of 144. Kolosvary, Mazziotta and Kellermann each secure two exemptions into the Tour while the top 15 finishers earn one exemption.
Innapha Tantanavivat, 17, of Bradenton, playing in her first FJT event, comes out on top shooting a 1-under par 141 for the tournament. In the division of 17 girls, Tantanavivat led with an even par 71 after the first round and then was the only player to shoot under par in the final round. Her final round score of 70 gave her the title by nine strokes. Tantanavivat broke a few FJT records on her way to victory including the lowest 36-hole score, lowest final round and largest winning margin. Lauren Uzelatz, 18, of Lakeland, bettered her best finish of third place in an FJT event, placing second with rounds of 74-76—150. Kris Boettcher, 17, from Palm Coast, took third place recording a 75-76—151. Kristen Hill, 15, of Fort Lauderdale, and Kendra Little, 17, of Eugene, Oregon, tied for fourth place with a tournament total of 155. Tantanavivat gets two exemptions into the FJT while the top four and ties each receive one exemption.
Since entries into Florida Junior Tour events have exceeded capacity, the FJT instituted the Qualifying Series to accommodate for more players. The Qualifying Series gives newer members and non-exempt players a chance to earn FJT exemptions while competing in a high quality, national ranked event. The events are open to all current FJT members who do not hold a current FJT exemption as of the first day of the Series tournament. The field consists of a maximum of 84 players and includes both boys and girls. In the boys division, the top 3 finishers and ties earn 2 FJT exemptions and the top 15 and ties earn 1 FJT exemption. The winner of the girls division gets two exemptions and the top 4 finishers and ties earn 1 FJT exemption.
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. The 2005-2006 season consists of 15 events for juniors, male and female, ages 13-18. Beginning September and running through May, the FJT schedule will play at some of the state’s top courses including PGA Golf Club and Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club. This year will feature two 54-hole events as well as the first four-ball event. 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, FJT events will be ranked by Golfweek/Titleist and Junior Golf Scoreboard. The FJT will maintain a points list to assist in determining Junior Player-of-the-Year and invitations to other tournaments.
To view complete pairings, tee times, and results, please see www.floridajuniortour.org.
