Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club's South Course made for great golf this weekend in Dade City, September 28-29. Luis Gagne, of Orlando, captured the title in the Boys 16-18 division and Anna Newell, of Tampa, won the Girls 16-18 division.
Luis Gagne and Ryoto Furuya of Wesley Chapel both opened with one-under par 71 during Saturday's round, leaving them to duke it out on Sunday. Gagne and Furuya were both five-under at the turn, each carding five birdies. The pair continued their birdie streak, Furuya sinking birdie putts on holes 11 and 13, while Gagne carded birdies on holes 13 and 14.
Going into the 15th hole the duo was tied and entered what Gagne said felt like match play. Furuya went on to bogey 15 and 16 while Gagne carded two pars, giving Gagne a two stroke lead heading into the final two holes. On 17 Furuya made his birdie putt leaving him one stroke behind Gagne as they approached the 18th tee. Furuya and Gagne both pared the par four 18, Gagne posting a two round total of 71-65-136 to capture the title and Furuya placed second with a two round total of 71-66-137. Gagne said that his putting was very strong on the front nine, he lost it for a few holes but got it back in his final holes.
In the Girls division, Emmy Martin, of Odessa, held the lead after round one, firing an even par 72 while Anna Newell carded a one-over par 73 to stand one back from the lead. In Sunday's final round Newell shot an even par to capture the title and win by two strokes with a final two round total of 73-72-145, Martin finished with a two round total of 72-75-147. Anna and Emmy are both seniors, next year Anna will be attending Tennessee and Emmy TCU.
