Magnolia Point (13-15)

Thompson Wins 4th FJT Title at Magnolia Point

Eleven-year-old Alexis Thompson came from behind to win the girls 13-15 age division as Zachery Sobel went wire-to-wire to capture the boys 13-15 age division in the Florida Junior Tour (FJT) event at Magnolia Point Golf and Country Club in Green Cove Springs on February 18-19.

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.

Magnolia Point Golf and Country Club is a 27-hole semi-private country club located off Highway 17 in Clay County, just South of Jacksonville.

The course has wonderful mix of challenges and breaks. The 6,904 yard course is in excellent condition. There are tight fairways, long and short par fours, and excellent variety of par threes, and a few holes that let you swing away. Having no unfair holes, Magnolia Point is a really fun course to play.

Magnolia Point is part of a 1,000 acre plus community. Although it is located in a development area, it is easy to forget you are playing in a residential neighborhood as very homes were visible from the fairways.

Magnolia Point's website: www.magnoliapointgolfclub.com

Eligibility
Male or female amateur golfers that are members of the FJT may apply for participation. Entries are open to out-of-state players. Entries are subject to rejection at any time, including during the event by the FJT. The reason for rejection may include unbecoming behavior. Please see the Code of Conduct for further details.

Application Procedure
Tournament applications for this event may enter on-line at www.floridajuniortour.org. Players must complete a membership form, read the Tournament Policies and pay the membership fees before the tournament application will be processed. Entries must be received by 4:30 PM EST of the closing date. Telephone and fax requests will not be considered for selection. Players will receive an e-mail that their entry has been received and a second e-mail will be sent when the players is accepted into the field (usually after entries close). As a player is not automatically confirmed into the tournament, travel arrangements should not be made until the second confirmation e-mail is received.

Entry Fee Includes
The entry fee of $95 includes Saturday and Sunday tournament rounds of golf, range balls prior to the tournament rounds and a tee prize.

Schedule of Play

Saturday, February 18th     11:00 AM        1st and 10th Tees
Sunday, February 19th         7:45 AM        1st and 10th Tees

Practice Round
Participants can set up a practice round at a special discounted rate of $25 plus tax by calling 727-949-0091. Times are available after 10:00 AM 5 days in advance of the tournament. Parents may play with their child for a rate of $35 plus tax.

Walking and Pull Carts
All players must walk and use of a pull cart is permitted

Location
Magnolia Point Golf Club
3670 Clubhouse Drive
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
904-269-9276

Hotel Information
Fairfield Inn by Marriot
450 Eldridge Avenue
Orange Park, FL 32073

Rate: $76 plus tax per night.
For Reservations Call: 904-278-7442. Players must ask for Florida Junior Tour rate.
Reservations must be made by January 23, 2006.

Tees To Play
Tees are not set until the tournament staff arrives on site. Tournament set up can change, including yardages, to offset inclement weather or other course conditions (i.e. wet course conditions). Typical yardages are below:

• Boys 13-15 will play approximately 6,600 yards
• Girls 13-15 will play approximately 5,400 yards

National Rankings
This event is ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard.

AJGA (Performance Based Entrance)

• Boys    13-15    Champion            1 Nike JAS Exemption
• Girls     13-15    Champion            1 Nike JAS Exemption

Registration
Registration will be available in front of the golf shop prior to the first round. ALL players are expected to register. First round pairings, pace of play policy, local rules, hole locations and general tournament information will be distributed at registration.

Tee Times & Pairings
First round pairings and starting times will be available on the FJT website, www.floridajuniortour.org, three days after the entry closing date. After the completion of the first round all competitors will be regrouped by score within age group for their next round. Final round pairings will be available approximately one hour after the final score has been posted. They will be posted on the FJT website, on the scoreboard, and in the golf shop. It is the players' responsibility to be at his/her respective tee at least 10 minutes prior to teeing off. We recommend that you always see your tee time in black and white and if you still have questions, please contact a FJT official at the host facility.

Rules
USGA Rules of Golf will govern play along with FJT Hard Card, available on the FJT website under the Tournaments tab. Local rules will be distributed at registration on the day of the first round.

Pace of Play
Pace of play will be strictly enforced with anticipated rounds less than 4 hours and 30 minutes. We strongly recommend that all players read and understand the FJT Pace of Play Policy. The Pace of Play policy can be reviewed on the FJT website under the Tournaments section.

Spectator Carts
Spectators will be authorized to rent carts for a rate of $20 plus tax per day, but must follow the published policy (available on site). More information is available on the FJT website under the Parents section.