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River Wilderness G & CC (16-18)

The Club at River Wilderness - Parrish

May 10-11, 2014

Whelan's First Win, Newell Wins Again

This weekend, the Florida Junior Tour took it's talent to Parrish, FL, where the best juniors in the state accepted the challenge of River Wilderness Golf & Country Club. The full field of 84 golfers saw sunny skies and light winds. It was a perfect weekend for golf.

The girl's played from just shy of 6,000 yards and saw two players in the red after round 1. Anna Newell took the clubhouse lead after day one with an impressive 2 under par 70. Emmy Martin stood alone in second place after her smooth 71. Morgan Baxendale and Mary Janiga finished in a tie for third after rounds of 74. 

The final round saw much of the same for Newell. She would go out in 38, but close her round with a purpose. Her back nine (holes 1-9) consisted of birdies on 1, 4, 7, and 8. She parred the other 5 holes on that side, which matched her first round score of 70. She finished the thirty-six hole event with a 4 under par 140. She cruised to a 6 shot victory. An impressive final round by Courtney Zeng proved to be the only round 2 red number besides Newell's 70. Zeng shot 75-71--146 for a solo second place finish. Mary Janiga, Emmy Martin, and Latanna Stone all finished at 148 and in a tie for third.

Newell's six shot victory was her 6th win on the Florida Junior Tour. In twenty Florida Junior Tour events, Anna Newell has never finished outside of the top 10. She clearly has a bright future ahead of her.

When the boys' stepped off of the practice facilities and on to the first tee, they saw 6,800 yards of green grass ahead of them. Round 1 saw more than a handful of players finish with rounds under par. Cole Johnson led the way with the tournament low round of 68. Daniel Whelan and Zong Fan Li sat two shots behind impressive rounds of 2 under par 70. Nicolo Fernandez, Philip Knowles, Mark Nauert, and Danny Walker also finished with a red number after they all posted a 71. 

Cole Johnson's could not duplicate his first round performance which gave hope to the golfers that trailed him. It was Daniel Whelan who took advantage and held off the rest of the field for a two shot victory. With birdies on hole 11and 13, then pars the rest of the way in, Whelan posted two sub-par rounds (70-71--141). Mark Nauert stayed consistent and his scores of 71-72-143 was good enough for a second place finish. This was Nauert's best finish in a Florida Junior Tour Event. FJT veteran Ramsey Touchberry fired Sunday's low round of 70 which gave him a tournament total of 145 and the third place trophy.

This was Daniel Whelan's first Florida Junior Tour victory. He is looking forward to taking on Quail Ridge next weekend, then he'll be heading to Innisbrook for the 54 hole FJT Major on Memorial Day Weekend.

A very Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's who took the time out of their day to watch their children compete. Thanks again for your continued support of the FJT and the FSGA.

Photos

Full Results & Course Statistics

Tee Information

Tee

Yardage / Info

Boys 16-18

6,789 yds. 72.7/132

Girls 16-18

5,937 yds. 74.3/125

Par: 72

Weather Information

Description

Temp

Hot

Hot & Humid, Winds 12-20

91 °F

Overcast

Hot & Humid, Light Breeze

92 °F

Tournament Results

PosPosition Name Rd.1 Rd.2 TotalTotal Score Points
1 Daniel Whelan 70 71 141 1000
2 Mark Nauert 71 72 143 700
3 Ramsey Touchberry 75 70 145 500
T4 Cole Johnson 68 79 147 330
T4 Danny Walker 71 76 147 330
T4 Jalen Ledger 75 72 147 330
T4 Michael Conforti 74 73 147 330
+ View Full Results

Entries Open:  Wednesday, March 19th
Entry Deadline:  Wednesday, April 2nd

16-18 Age Division (age calculated on the last day of the tournament)
$95 or $115 entry fee (GHIN vs non-GHIN price)

River Wildnerness is excited to host their first Florida Junior Tour event. The club is located just southeast of Tampa near Sarasota/Manatee county line. The Club borders the North shore of the historic Manatee River just off Interstate 75. Although the course is hidden in the wilderness it is still convenient to both Sarasota and Tampa Bay areas. As secluded as it feels it is only a short 10 minute ride from I-75.  The golf course, designed by Ted McAnlis, is situated on 150 acres of pristine landscape and is a part of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System which blends the property’s natural beauty with an abundance of wildlife. 

Click here to view the club's website. 

Format

  • 36 holes of individual stroke play
  • 84 total players (typically 66 boys and 18 girls)
  • 16-18 age division (age calculated by the last day of the tournament)

Divisions and Approximate Yardages

  • Boys 16-18 Age Division - 6,900 yards (gross only)
  • Girls 16-18 Age Division - 6,000 yards (gross only)

How Entries are Accepted

  • Players with an unused FJT exemption will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis (if submitted before the entry deadline).
  • Players without an FJT exemption - all other entries are held until the entry closing date.  Shortly after the closing date, a computer-generated random draw is performed to determine which entries are accepted, and the order of the alternates. All players are notified of their status after the random draw is conducted,
  • An alternates list will be posted to the FJT website under "Tee Times & Player Information".
  • Entries submitted after the entry deadline will be added to the bottom of the alternates list or used to fill any openings in the field.

Click here for more details.

How to Enter

Entries must be submitted through the FSGA website. To enter, each player must have an account on this website (free to setup), and a current FJT Junior Membership ($40). Click "Enter" above in the Tournament Links box.

Entry Fee

The entry fee of $95 (for GHIN handicap members) or $115 (non-GHIN handicap members) includes tournament rounds, range balls prior to tournament rounds, crystal trophies for the top three finishers, and a tee gift. 

To receive the GHIN handicap price, the player, or one of the player's parents must have an active GHIN handicap at a club in Florida. The seven digit GHIN number must be included and active when the entry is submitted. Click on the Handicaps tab above in the main menu for more information.

Late Fee:  A late fee of $10 will be applied to entries received after the entry deadline. The entry fee and late fee will only be charged if the player gets accepted into the tournament field.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, May 10th

10:30 AM - 1:30 PM - Tournament Registration (near pro shop)
12:00 PM - 1:57 PM - Round one tee times off the 1st and 10th tees

Sunday, May 11th

7:30 AM - 9:27 AM - Final round tee times off the 1st and 10th tees
Approximately 3:00 PM - Awards presentation

Practice Rounds

Practice rounds are available one week prior to the tournament on a space-available basis. Times times are only available after 12:00 noon the weekend prior.  The price for a practice round is $25.00 + tax. Please call 941-776-2602 to arrange your practice round. The proper place to practice your golf swing is on the driving range, hitting multiple shots on the course, not filling divots, and not repairing ball marks are unacceptable and may cause removal from the tournament without a refund.

AJGA Performance Based Entry (PBE)

Boys

  • Winner receives 8 performance stars
  • Top five finishers receive 4 performance stars

Girls

  • Winner receives 8 performance stars
  • Top three finishers receive 4 performance stars

National Rankings

  • Ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard and GolfWeek

Other Policies

  • Walking - players must walk during tournament rounds
  • Spectators & Carts - Spectators are allowed. Spectator carts are available first-come, first-served at $20 + tax per day, per cart Click here
  • Caddies - Caddies are not allowed
  • Range Finders (Electronic Measuring Devices) - are allowed (see Local Rules link below)
  • Championship Pace of Play Policy - Click here
  • Local Rules and Conditions of Competition - Click here
  • Championship Policies - Click here to read the withdrawal, dress code, and other policies.
  • Procedures for Alternates - Click here for information on how alternates may gain entry into this tournament.
  • Conditions/ Schedule - The FSGA Championships Committee/on-site Rules Committee reserves the right to alter any of the conditions, provisions and/or schedules.  The
    decision of the Championships Committee/on-site Rules Committee in any matter will be final.

Hotel & Accommodations

A host hotel has not been arranged at this time. There are several hotels in the club's area. Use the "Hotels" link above in the Tournament Links box or search on the internet. Please note the cancellation policies before making any reservations.

Directions

River Wilderness Golf & Country Club
2250 Wilderness Boulevard West
Parrish, FL 34219

Click for Map