TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Seminole Legacy Golf Club will host the 64th Girls’ Junior Championship June 29 – July 1. Ninety of the best female juniors will take center stage on the newly renovated golf club, home to the Florida State University men’s and women’s golf teams. Its lush fairways and fast greens prove challenging to even the most seasoned of golfers. Here are five things to know heading into the championship.
By the Numbers
The field for the 64th Girls’ Junior Championship consists of 90 players with 54 girls of the (16-18) age division and 36 girls of the (13-15) age division. Lilliana Ford is the youngest players in the field, having turned 13 in February. Ford has collected four top-10 finishes in seven Florida Junior Tour events played in 2023, including one runner-up finish as well. Ford picked up her first win on the Florida Junior Tour in 2022 and she hopes to add a championship victory to her accolades as well.
Keeping the Momentum
A majority of the field makes up players who recently competed in the 94th Women's Amateur Championship at Innisbrook Golf Resort in June. Several competitors advanced through match play and have hopes of keeping the momentum going heading into the 64th Girls' Junior. Junyuan Zhang, Sabree Lefebvre, Gracie Grant, Nancy Cox, and Marley Pedrique all advanced to the Round of 64 at the Women's Amateur Championship. In addition, Alexandra Remaklus, Layla Pedrique, Valentina Marie Guertin, Gabriella Alber, and Sophia Dyer all advanced to the Round of 32. Maggie Potash and Haley Davis endured a long week of golf and last through the Round of 16 matches. Keep an eye on these names as each competitor hopes to pick up steam heading into next week and raise the trophy as a championship winner.
Team Florida Makes an Appearance
There are five members of Team Florida competing in the 64th Girls’ Junior. Gabriella Albert, Bella Dovhey, Hannah Hall, Layla Pedrique, and Sophia Dyer will all tee it up on June 29.
Strong Field to Make for Fierce Competition
The field is strong for the 64th Girls’ Junior. The entry priority contained a long list criteria including previous Girls’ Junior champions, top 55 & Ties from the final 2022 World Amateur Golf Rankings, top-100 ranked players on Junior Golf Scoreboard and top 35 in the 2022 Girls’ Junior Championship. The field consists of 44 exempt players and notable names to watch include Braydn Smith, Gabriella Albert, and Layla and Marley Pedrique.
Seminole Legacy plays Host
Seminole Legacy Golf Club consists of 18 holes of golf, two ranges and a 12-hole par three course spread out over 174 acres. The course played 7,800 yards from the back tee markers and is home to the Florida State University men’s and women’s golf teams. Formerly known as Don Veller Seminole Golf Course, the entire facility recently completed a total renovation led by the Nicklaus Design Company. Now famed as one of the top collegiate golf clubs in the United States, Seminole Legacy is not only a treat to play but also a challenge.
