Thursday, July 8, 2010
                                                       
Hank Lebioda captures the 56th Florida State Boys Junior Championship as Jimmy Stanger claimed the junior division title at Grand Cypress Golf Club on July 6-8.

In the 16-18 age division, Hank Lebioda, of Winter Springs, posted a tournament total of 7-under par 209 to come from behind and win the 2010 Boys Junior Championship. After a first round 2-over par 74 on the North/South course, Lebioda trailed the leaders by 7 heading into the second round. Lebioda cut into the lead with one-under par 71 on the New course in the second round, to trail the leader Justin Stills, of Pensacola by six strokes heading into the final round. In the final round, Lebioda was on fire with birdies on holes 3, 6, 7 and 8 to card a 4-under par 32 on the front nine. ?I was just trying to string some birdies together out there? said Lebioda.  On the back, Lebioda continued his remarkable round with birdies on 10, 11, 12, 14, and 16, to fire a final round eight-under par 64 and a three stroke victory.  ?I just made some ridiculous putts out there, and this feels amazing. This is the biggest win of my career, and really can?t believe this right now? said Lebioda. Kevin Jorden, of Juno Beach, Drew Guffey, of Bartow, and Justin Stills, of Pensacola all finished tied for second place with a tournament total of four-under par 212.

In the 13-15 age division, Jimmy Stanger, of Tampa, recorded a first round three-under par 69 on the North/South course to trail the leader by one. In the second round Stanger carded a four-under par 68 on the New course to jump in front by five strokes.  In the final round Stanger played a solid round of golf, recording a one-under par 71 for a three day total of eight-under par 208. Stanger said ?this feels amazing?. ? It felt really nice coming into 18 with a seven shot lead, it really eased my nerves? said Stanger. This is Stanger?s first career FSGA victory and a new 54-hole personal best for Stanger.  Dillon Woods, of Jacksonville, finished alone in second place with rounds of 70-73-72 for a tournament total of one-under par 215. Sawyer Shaw, of West Palm Beach, finished in third place with a final round 73 for a tournament total of even par 216. Defending Champion, Evan Byrd, of Ocala, finished tied for 11^th with a tournament total of 224.

More than 370 entries were filed for the 2010 Championship. Competitors first attempted to qualify for the Championship at one of six sites across the state in 18 holes of stroke play. The Championship field features 126 of the top male amateur golfers in the 16-18 age division and 42 top juniors in the 13-15 age division. In the Championship, competitors will play 18 holes on the (North/South) course and the (New) course with the final 18 holes at Grand Cypress Golf Club (North/South) course.  

To enter, participants must be between the ages of 13-18 as of July 8 and not attending college. Also, the juniors must have a handicap index no higher than 17.4.

Click here to view results.

DIVISIONS
Regular (16-18) as of July 8, 2010 and Junior (13-15) as of July 8, 2010. All players will compete in the age division  commensurate with their age as of the last day of the Championship. No players are allowed to play out of their age division.

ENTRY FEE
$20 ($30 - players who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap). Those individuals who advance to the Championship through qualifying must pre-register and remit an additional $120 either online at the FSGA website at www.fsga.org or by check to the FSGA office for advance payment of Championship Fees. Payment must be received by Monday, June 28, 2010 by 3:30 pm, or the individual will be withdrawn from the Championship.

EXEMPT PLAYER'S FEE
$130 ($140 - players who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap). Exempt Fee includes Championship Fee and Entry Fee for those individuals eligible for exemption. (See below)

CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT
Fifty-Four holes of individual stroke play. All players play eighteen holes each on the New and the North/South Course on Tuesday, July 6th and Wednesday, July 7th.  After thirty-six holes, the field will be cut to the low 40% of each field plus ties. The final eighteen holes will be played on the North/South Course. The lowest score for 54 holes will be the Champion. If necessary, there will be a hole by hole play-off to determine the Champion. It is the player's responsibility to be present for any play-off.

QUALIFYING
18 holes stroke play at 6 sites.  All players must walk during qualifying rounds.  Players are not allowed to employ a caddie.  Players are only allowed to attempt to qualify at one qualifying site per year.

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS
Brandon Park, of Weston, posted rounds of 76-69-72--217 to win the boys 16-18 age division as Evan Byrd, from Ocala, carded a 72-72-71--215 for the 13-15 age division title at Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach.

EXEMPTIONS
Players in the following categories will be eligible for exemption provided they meet all entry, age and eligibility requirements.

• Previous Boys Junior Champions (either age division)
• Top 10 & tied from last year's Boys Junior Championship 16-18 age division
• Top 5 & tied from last year's Boys Junior Championship 13-15 age division
• Last year's Boy's Junior Match Play Champions (Championship brackets only)
• Top 3 & tied from last year's FHSAA Class 1A Golf Finals
• Top 3 & tied from last year's FHSAA Class 2A Golf Finals
• Current season's Florida Junior Tour Boys Winners
• Top 15 & tied (16-18) and top 10 & tied (13-15) from the current year's FJT Points List as of the close of entries
• Players qualifying for any one of last year's USGA National Championships
• Players making the cut at last year's Amateur Championship

METHOD OF PAYMENTS
Grand Cypress will accept cash, Visa/MasterCard, and American Express for payment.