Blayne Barber edged out the boys 16-18 age division field by one stroke to win the first Florida Junior Tour (FJT) event of the 2006-2007 season. Playing in her first event in the girls 16-18 age division, Monica Miller captured her first FJT title at the Venetian Golf and River Club in North Venice on September 9-10.
The 2006 Boys Junior Champion Blayne Barber, 16, of Lake City, won his second FJT title at the Venetian with a 6-under par 138. In the first round, Barber fired a 4-under par 68 to trail first round leader Christopher Carlin by one. Barber came out in the second round to shoot a 70 in wet conditions and secure the title by one stroke. In addition to the Junior Championship, Barber recently won the Florida State Junior Match Play Invitational and the 13-15 age division event at Disney last November. On his 17th birthday, Christopher Carlin’s 67 was a new course record for the Venetian. Carlin, of Miramar, shot even par in the second round to finish one stroke back from Barber and share second place with Julian Suri. Playing up, Suri, 15, of Saint Augustine, shot consistent rounds of 70-69 for a 139 tournament total. In the boys division, seven juniors finished under par for the tournament playing the course from 6,881 yards.
Monica Miller, of Davie, posted a pair of 71’s to secure her first FJT title by three strokes. After recently turning 16, Miller played in her first 16-18 age division event at Venetian. “It’s a lot longer,” Miller said. “I was able to step up to the challenge and play with the older girls.” “My approach shots were really working for me and my putting was good too.” Evan Jensen, 16, of Belleair, last season’s points leader, finished second shooting a 72-73. Placing third, Andrea Messer, 16, of Belleair, broke the women’s course record at Venetian firing a 70 in the first round. Messer shot a 77 in the second round for a 147 tournament total. The girls division played from 6,028 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 2006-2007 season consists of 20 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 the Venetian and Lake Jovita. 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 or $115. 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.
