In the boys 13-15 age division, Phillip Choi, 15, of Orlando, captured his first FJT title shooting a tournament total of 2-under par 142. In the first round, Choi fired a 2-under par 70 for the only under par round of the day. Choi, who has two second place finishes this season, shot even par in the final round to secure the title by two strokes. In the final round, five juniors shot under par including second place finishers Travis Ralph and Julian Suri. Ralph, 15, from Redington Beach, and Suri, 15, of St. Augustine, recorded similar scores of 74-70—144 to share second place. This is Suri’s fourth top five finish this season and recently, he earned top honors in the AJGA Medicus Preseason tournament at Black Bear Golf Club to earn two exemptions into the AJGA. The boys division of 66 juniors played from 6,433 yards.
Diana Davis also collected her first FJT victory in the girls 13-15 age division at Victoria Hills. Davis, 15, from Pembroke Pines, shot a 74 in the first round to lead by four strokes. Going into the final round, Davis said “I was hoping to shoot well and I did.” Posting a 75 for the round, Davis won the division by three strokes. “I played very consistently,” said Davis. “It was a tough course but a lot of fun to play.” In the two rounds, Davis made four birdies en route to her victory. “I am really happy with my win,” Davis said. “The Tour has such great competition which helps me to get better.” Davis will be representing the South team in the Junior Florida Cup this June. Maria Ronderos, 15, of Colombia, attending Manatee High School, had her best finish in an FJT event posting rounds of 78-74—152 for second place. Jordyn Hage, 15, from Orlando, finished in third place with scores of 81-75—156. Both girls will also be competing in the Junior Florida Cup. The girls division of 18 played from 5,716 yards.
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 Victoria Hills Golf Club. 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.
