Boys' Junior Championship

Jo Wins State Junior Golf Championship

Joong Jo, of Winter Springs, shot a 4-under par 140 to win the 49th Florida State Junior Championship at the Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice.

Jo beat out Jeff Dennis, of Parkland, in a playoff after shooting birdie on the first playoff hole. Jo, a senior at Winter Springs High School, made a 20 foot putt for birdie while Dennis two-putted for par. Jo carded a 71-69 for a 140 total as Dennis shot a 69-71 for a similar 140 two-day total.

With this title, Jo receives an exemption into the AJGA event at Abacoa Golf Club in Jupiter and the top ten finishers will receive one exemption toward an AJGA open tournament. Additionally, the top 14 finishes in the 15-17 division will be invited to compete in the Florida State Junior Match Play Invitation at Lake Nona Golf Club July 14-15. The top eight finishes in the 12-14 division will also be invited to compete in the Junior Match Play Invitation.

In the junior division, Mu Hu, 13, of Bradenton, carded a 68-68 to finish with a two-round total of 136 to win by 10 strokes. Hu, a student at the David Leadbetter Academy, has been playing golf since six years of age. Hu, says, "The course really suited my game as the greens were very good." Jhared Hack, of Heathrow, finished in second place in the junior division with a 71-75—146 total.

Started in 1955, the Junior Championship crowns the best junior golfer in Florida. This year’s Regular Division Champion receives an exemption into the 2003 AJGA event at Abacoa Golf Club in Jupiter. Former champions include Gary Koch, Len Mattiace, Josh McCumber, Jeremy Anderson and Matt Kuchar. Plantation Golf & C.C. has two eighteen hole regulation courses. The Panther Course features two island greens. All the greens are slightly sloped and protected by small pot bunkers, and the fairways are tree lined. The Bobcat Course was built on rolling terrain and has water hazards coming into play on several holes. The LPGA Qualifying School is held at this club annually during the first week of September.

ELIGIBILITY

Entrant must be a male who has not reached his 18th birthday by June 18, 2003.

ENTRY FEE

$85. ($75 for online entry.)

CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT

36 holes of stroke play

DIVISIONS

• Junior (12-14)
• Regular (15-17)

COURSES

Bobcat and Panther

CARTS

All Players must walk and carry their own clubs.

CADDIES

Use of a caddie is not authorized.

SPECTATOR CARTS

Spectators will be authorized to rent carts but must follow the published policy. (Available on site)

DEFENDING CHAMPION

Windermere’s Garrett Runion carded 70-71--141 to claim the title at LPGA International in Daytona Beach.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Arrangements have been made at the Holiday Inn-Venice for $55 per night with a reservation deadline of June 7. Call (941) 485-5411or (800) 237-3712 for reservations and identify yourself as an FSGA competitor. Additional arrangements have been made at the Best Western Ambassador Suites for $66 per night with a reservation deadline of June 1. Call (800) 685-7353 or (941) 480-9898 for reservations.

HANDICAP

No higher than 17.4