SEBRING, Fla. - The Florida Junior Tour made its way back to Sebring to play Golf Hammock Golf Club. Golf Hammock, hosting their first-ever FJT, provided a great layout to show off some of the top players' skills. The narrow tee shots and undulating greens highlighted the importance of precise ball placement and effective course management. At the end of the two days, Devin Wortinger and Hannah Castillo did it best, and would come out on top!
Boys (13-15)
The hometown hero, Devin Wortinger, would take an early lead, making the turn during round one at three under par. An eagle on the 18th hole, followed by two birdies, would be all that was necessary to set him apart from the field. Wortinger took the home course advantage and carded an incredible five-under, 67. Following just two strokes behind, Drew Brink and Jordan Castillo would also showcase their abilities, entering the clubhouse at two under par, three strokes off the lead. With round two still to play, it was anyone's game.
With stronger winds in the morning, made the already narrow course even narrower. However, the home course advantage would come into play once again, as Wortinger’s consistent play helped him maintain the lead by three strokes heading into the back nine. Jordan Castillo, another local, started to take charge after birding holes 11 & 12, putting him just one off of Wortinger as they entered the last six holes. Wortinger would respond with a birdie on hole 14, to increase his lead back to two. Wortinger would finish the feat and capture his first FJT Win on his home course. Jordan Castillo would birdie 18 to sit in solo second, and Drew Brink would take third.
Girls (13-15)
The course was putting up a real fight, but Bella Simoes, FJT Sun ‘N Lake Major Champion, had her sights set. Simoes would come into the clubhouse at one over par. Elena Zreik would also head into the clubhouse at one over par, taking a share of the lead from Simoes heading into round two. The pair would show consistency, and both had their eye on the prize heading into Sunday. Nirvika Koduru would sit in third heading into the final round, with the rest of the leaderboard stacked up behind her. With only the final round to go, it was anyone’s game.
Bella Simoes would maintain her lead throughout the front nine, with notable players such as Xiyao Zhang and Hannah Castillo hot on her tail. Zhang had a flawless card when making the turn, shooting even on the day, staying one shot off of Simoes when she made the turn. Zhang would continue her consistent play and card her first birdie of the day on hole four, taking possession of the lead for the first time. The Winter Garden native would continue her flawless round with another birdie on hole seven. However, Castillo would continue to battle. The Frostproof native would birdie holes eight and nine. A bogey by Zhang on their 18th hole would be just enough to place them in a playoff for the title. Castillo would capture the win, draining a 10-foot birdie putt on the fifth playoff hole. Xiyao would take home the silver, as Bella Simoes and Rain Jiang tied for third.
