Nick Jamison overcame a five stroke deficit to win the boys 16-18 age division Florida Junior Tour Qualifying Series event at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Orlando as Brienna Heinzler went wire-to-wire winning the girls 16-18 age division.
Nick Jamison, 17, from Stuart, had his best showing in an FJT event coming back from five strokes down to capture the division title by two strokes. Jamison shot a 77 in the first round and then came out strong in the final round to fire a 3-under par 70 for a 147 tournament total. “The first round was very windy,” said Jamison. “Today, we went out earlier in better conditions and I played for fairways and greens.” Jamison hit 13 out of 18 fairways as well as 13 out of 18 greens. After tying for 32nd place at the Lake Jovita event in December, Jamison said, “I went back and worked on a few things with my coach and today it transferred to the golf course.” Christopher Biuso, 16, of Temple Terrace, also had his best finish at Eagle Creek placing second. Biuso led after the first round with the only under par round of 72 and combined with his 77 in the final round took second place with a 149 total. Michael Cain, 17, from Orlando, broke out of a tie for fourth place after the first round with a 76 to sole possession of third place. Cain posted a 74 to finish three strokes back from Jamison. Jamison, Biuso and Cain each earn two exemptions into the FJT.
In the girls division, Brienna Heinzler, 16, from Palm Harbor, gained her exemptions winning the division with a tournament total of 150. Heinzler shot a 74 in the first round for the lead and secured the victory by two strokes with a 76 in the final round. Heinzler had two birdies in each round. “My chipping and putting was good in the final round,” said Heinzler. “It saved me a lot.” On her exemptions, “I’m looking forward to playing in more events with such competitive fields.” Rachel Edwards, 17, from Tampa, recorded a pair of 76s for second place and Ashlee Rose, 16, from Nicholasville, KY, posted a 78-76—154 for third place honors. Edwards, Rose and fourth place finisher Emily Flanigan each gain one exemption into the FJT.
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.
