NEW SMYRNA, Fla. - Two first time champions, Bryce Werblo and Amelia Novoa, hoisted trophies at Sugar Mill Country Club on Sunday.
Boys 13-15
Bryce Werblo, of Orange City, overcame a three stroke deficit and play-off to win his first FJT event. Round one was led by Danny Erickson, of Ponte Vedra Beach, after highlighting the leaderboard with a red number, three under-par 69. Garrett Ebbert, of Longwood, and Bryce Werblo would start round two tied for second place, three strokes back at even par.
Round two finished with Werblo and John Marshall, of Miami, tied for first place. Marshall posted two consistent rounds of 73, with three birdies in round one and four birdies in round two, to tie Werblo at two over-par 146. Werblo, semifinalist in this year’s Junior Match Play, carded a round two 74 to climb to the top of the leaderboard.
The two entered a play-off that ended with a birdie from Werblo in one hole. This is Werblo’s first year playing on the FJT and first victory. Round two excitement came from Andres Atrio and his hole-in-one on the par three 13th hole. Lucas Slayden, of Ponte Vedra Beach, finished in third place at three over-par 147.
Girls 13-15
Amelia Novoa, of Coconut Creek, earned her first FJT victory in wire-to-wire fashion. Novoa took the early lead by one stroke, with two birdies and 16 pars, in round one. Tori Mouton followed close behind after carding six birdies for a round one 71. Despite two birdies in Mouton’s final round, the Saint Johns’ resident remained in second place at four over-par 148. A first place win was secured by a second round 74 and even par 144 finish from Novoa. Consistent rounds of 75 led to a third place finish for Bridget Ma, of Windermere.
Final Leaderboard
Boys 13-15
1. Bryce Werblo +2 (146)
2. John Marshall +2 (146)
3. Lucas Slayden +3 (147)
T4. Asher Joseph +4 (148)
T4. Tomy Jaunet +4 (148)
T4. Andres Artrio +4 (148)
T4. Andrew McLauchlan +4 (148)
Girls 13-15
1. Amelia Novoa E (144)
2. Tori Mouton +4 (148)
3. Bridget Ma +6 (150)
T4. Brianna Castaldi +7 (151)
T4. Kavya Ajjarapu +7 (151)
