In the boys 16-18 age division, Wesley Graham, 16, from Port Orange, posted a tournament total of 6-under par 138 to win the title by six strokes. In the first round, Graham made three birdies and eagled the 16th hole en route to firing a 3-under par 69. With a one stroke lead heading into the final round, Graham said, “I just wanted to go out there and shoot an under par round and I could win.” In cold and blustery conditions, Graham matched his first round of 69 making seven birdies to run away with the title. “I just kept it together and didn’t let the weather get to me,” said Graham. “It’s nice to win the first FJT tournament I play in this season.” Graham, who was a quarterfinalist in last year’s US Junior Amateur, won the junior division of the Boys Junior Championship in 2004 and 2005 and has two FJT wins last season. In a three-way tie for second place, Alex Donaldson, 17, from Windermere, Michael Gligic, 17, of Ontario, Canada, and Tyler Hock, 18, of Ocala, each finished with a tournament total of even par. Donaldson recorded a 74-70 while Gligic and Hock posted similar scores of 71-73.
Evan Jensen, 17, from Belleair, claimed her third win of the season in the girls 16-18 age division at Southwood with rounds of 71-77. Jensen made four birdies in the first round to card a 1-under par and take a two stroke advantage. Jensen said, “I needed to stay patient and not worry about anyone else.” In the final round, Jensen maintained her lead shooting a 77 for her sixth career FJT victory. “This feels really good,” said Jensen. “I’m working hard and it’s paying off.” Alexandria Buelow, 16, from Palm City, took second place with scores of 73-78 and Whitney Wenglasz, 16, from Oldsmar, moved into third place recording a 74-78.
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 Southwood and Bear Lakes. 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.
The FJT is conducted by the Florida State Golf Association which conducts 25 State Championships and more than 40 qualifying tournaments for USGA National Championships. The FSGA also maintains the USGA Handicap System, performs course ratings throughout Florida and assists in junior programs and scholarships.
