Carson Weinand and Erica Popson won their respective divisions of the 16-18 age division event at Fox Hollow Golf Club in Trinity as Andrew Kim and Ginger Howard claimed their division titles in the 13-15 age division event at Magnolia Point Golf and Country Club in Green Cove Spring over the weekend of February 10-11.
Carson Weinand came from behind to win the boys 16-18 division title. Weinand, 16, of Naples, trailed the first round leader by three strokes after posting a first round 73. In the final round, Weinand started strong going 2-under through five. After a few lead changes with Alexander Medinis, Weinand made a solid par on the tough 18th hole to record a 74 and secure his first FJT win by one stroke. Alexander Medinis, 17, from Fort Myers, finished with a 72-76—148 for second place. In a three-way tie for third place, Logan Blondell, 17, of Lakeland, Tyler Herndon, 17, of Davie, and Ian McConnell, 15, of Riverview, each posted a tournament total of 149.
In the girls division, Erica Popson, 15, of Davenport, claimed her third career FJT win at Fox Hollow. Popson led by two strokes after a first round 75. “I played pretty good the first day,” said Popson. “I had a ten on the 11th hole but rebounded and went 2-under after that.” In the final round, Popson made three birdies en route to a 72 and her first win of the year. “I hit my driver and irons really well,” said Popson. “The course was in great shape but very tough.” Brighid Hourihan, 16, from Ponte Vedra Beach, and Evan Jensen, 17, of Belleair, tied for second place with a 150 total.
Playing the white and blue courses at Magnolia Point, Andrew Kim edged out the field of boys by one stroke. Kim, 15, from Old Tappan, New Jersey, fired a 1-under par 71 in the first round for a share of the lead. “I was putting really well in the first round,” said Kim. “I just wanted to play consistently in the final round and not make any mistakes.” In the final round, Kim, who attends Seminole High School in Sanford, Florida, posted a 75 for his first FJT win. “I made a few mistakes but my putting saved me,” said Kim. Chase Marinell, 15, of, Cape Coral, also had his best finish in an FJT event firing a 71 on the final day, tying the low round of the tournament. Combined with a first round 76, Marinell finished one back from Kim for second place. In a tie for third place, John-Christian Templeton, 15, from Sarasota, and Trey Valentine, 13, of Melbourne, each posted a tournament total of 148.
In the girls division, Ginger Howard, 12, of Bradenton, went wire-to-wire to win her second FJT event. Playing up under a special exemption, Howard blasted a pair of 73’s to capture the title by eight strokes. Howard won the Country Club of Ocala event in October. AJ Newell, 14, from Tampa, placed second with scores of 75-79. Newell has one FJT title winning at PGA National earlier this year. Jaime Ritter, 15, from Davie, shot 78-81--159 for third place.
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 2006-2007 season consists of 24 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 Magnolia Point and Fox Hollow. 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 or $115. 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.
