Alexis Thompson, of Coral Springs, proved she can play with the older girls winning her fourth FJT event this season at Magnolia Point. After a first round score of 79, Thompson trailed the first round leader by three strokes going into the final round. Thompson “knew she had to shoot a 74 or better to be in contention.” In blustery conditions and a gallery following her, Thompson drained a 20 foot birdie putt on the 16th hole to give her momentum and finish with a strong 73 to clinch the title by two strokes. “It was really nice to have people following me,” said Thompson, “I usually play better with a gallery.” Compared to her first round, Thompson said “I hit my irons a lot better and putted better.” Playing under a special exemption, Thompson currently ranks first on the division points list. First round co-leaders Christina Miller and Kendall Wright finished second and third respectively. Miller, 14, of Atlanta, Georgia, shot a 76-78 while Wright, 14, of Orlando, posted rounds of 76-79. The girls field of 17 juniors played from 5,985 yards.
In the boys 13-15 age division, Zachery Sobel, 15, of Clearwater Beach, won his first FJT title at Magnolia Point shooting a tournament total of even par 144. Sobel, who has three top five finishes this season, blasted the only under par round of the first day posting a 71. Sobel then shot a 73 in the final round to secure the title by one stroke. On the final three holes, Sobel went birdie, par, birdie, sinking a 15 foot putt on the 18th hole to clinch the title. Sobel said about his final round, “I just had to hold it together, getting up and down and making my putts.” Phillip Choi and Andrew Colvin tied for second place finishing one back from Sobel. Choi, 15, of Orlando, recorded rounds of 73-72 while Colvin, 15, of Longwood, shot 72-73 for his best finish this season. Julian Suri, 14, of Saint Augustine, claimed fourth place shooting a tournament total of 148. The boys field of 65 juniors played from 6,535 yards.
Conducted by the Florida State Golf Association, the Florida Junior Tour (FJT) is a junior golf tour offering highly competitive and affordable competitions for juniors in Florida. The 2005-2006 season consists of 15 events for juniors, male and female, ages 13-18. Beginning September and running through May, the FJT schedule will play at some of the state’s top courses including PGA Golf Club and Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club. This year will feature two 54-hole events as well as the first four-ball event. The FJT’s focus is on quality, affordability and integrity. Tournaments consist of 36 holes conducted over 2 days, typically weekends, with an entry fee of $95. Scholarship entry is available to junior golfers unable to afford the entry fee.
Working closely with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), FJT top competitors will receive exemptions and performance points towards AJGA events. The FJT is the only Florida tour to participate in the AJGA’s Performance Based Process. In addition, FJT events will be ranked by Golfweek/Titleist and Junior Golf Scoreboard. The FJT will maintain a points list to assist in determining Junior Player-of-the-Year and invitations to other tournaments.
To view complete pairings, tee times, and results, please see www.floridajuniortour.org.
