Boys' Junior Championship

Lebioda Wins The 56th Boys Junior

Hank Lebioda captures the 56th Florida State Boys Junior Championship as Jimmy Stanger claimed the junior division title at Grand Cypress Golf Club on July 6-8.

In the 16-18 age division, Hank Lebioda, of Winter Springs, posted a tournament total of 7-under par 209 to come from behind and win the 2010 Boys Junior Championship. After a first round 2-over par 74 on the North/South course, Lebioda trailed the leaders by 7 heading into the second round. Lebioda cut into the lead with one-under par 71 on the New course in the second round, to trail the leader Justin Stills, of Pensacola by six strokes heading into the final round. In the final round, Lebioda was on fire with birdies on holes 3, 6, 7 and 8 to card a 4-under par 32 on the front nine. “I was just trying to string some birdies together out there” said Lebioda.  On the back, Lebioda continued his remarkable round with birdies on 10, 11, 12, 14, and 16, to fire a final round eight-under par 64 and a three stroke victory.  “I just made some ridiculous putts out there, and this feels amazing. This is the biggest win of my career, and really can’t believe this right now” said Lebioda. Kevin Jorden, of Juno Beach, Drew Guffey, of Bartow, and Justin Stills, of Pensacola all finished tied for second place with a tournament total of four-under par 212.

In the 13-15 age division, Jimmy Stanger, of Tampa, recorded a first round three-under par 69 on the North/South course to trail the leader by one. In the second round Stanger carded a four-under par 68 on the New course to jump in front by five strokes.  In the final round Stanger played a solid round of golf, recording a one-under par 71 for a three day total of eight-under par 208. Stanger said “this feels amazing”. ” It felt really nice coming into 18 with a seven shot lead, it really eased my nerves” said Stanger. This is Stanger’s first career FSGA victory and a new 54-hole personal best for Stanger.  Dillon Woods, of Jacksonville, finished alone in second place with rounds of 70-73-72 for a tournament total of one-under par 215. Sawyer Shaw, of West Palm Beach, finished in third place with a final round 73 for a tournament total of even par 216. Defending Champion, Evan Byrd, of Ocala, finished tied for 11th with a tournament total of 224.

More than 370 entries were filed for the 2010 Championship. Competitors first attempted to qualify for the Championship at one of six sites across the state in 18 holes of stroke play. The Championship field features 126 of the top male amateur golfers in the 16-18 age division and 42 top juniors in the 13-15 age division. In the Championship, competitors will play 18 holes on the (North/South) course and the (New) course with the final 18 holes at Grand Cypress Golf Club (North/South) course.  

To enter, participants must be between the ages of 13-18 as of July 8 and not attending college. Also, the juniors must have a handicap index no higher than 17.4.

Entries close Wednesday, June 2, 2010

The 56th Boys Junior Championship will head to central Florida to Grand Cypress Golf Club.  Grand Cypress offers 45 holes of Jack Nicklaus Signature golf.  The 27-hole North/South/East Course provides the ultimate test of accuracy while the 18-hole New Course provides a Scottish links style experience.

ELIGIBILITY

Open to male amateur golfers ages 13-18 as of July 8, 2010. Entrant must not have reached their 19th birthday by July 9, 2010 and not attending college. Players must be (1) a resident of Florida (reside in Florida at least 4 months per year or have otherwise established legal residency); or (2) a dependant of a military personnel or a military personnel based in Florida on active duty. Must have a handicap no higher than 17.4.

DIVISIONS

Regular (16-18) as of July 8, 2010 and Junior (13-15) as of July 8, 2010. All players will compete in the age division  commensurate with their age as of the last day of the Championship. No players are allowed to play out of their age division.

ENTRY FEE

$20 ($30 - players who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap). Those individuals who advance to the Championship through qualifying must pre-register and remit an additional $120 either online at the FSGA website at www.fsga.org or by check to the FSGA office for advance payment of Championship Fees. Payment must be received by Monday, June 28, 2010 by 3:30 pm, or the individual will be withdrawn from the Championship.

EXEMPT PLAYER'S FEE

$130 ($140 - players who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap). Exempt Fee includes Championship Fee and Entry Fee for those individuals eligible for exemption. (See below)

CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT

Fifty-Four holes of individual stroke play. All players play eighteen holes each on the New and the North/South Course on Tuesday, July 6th and Wednesday, July 7th.  After thirty-six holes, the field will be cut to the low 40% of each field plus ties. The final eighteen holes will be played on the North/South Course. The lowest score for 54 holes will be the Champion. If necessary, there will be a hole by hole play-off to determine the Champion. It is the player's responsibility to be present for any play-off.

QUALIFYING

18 holes stroke play at 6 sites.  All players must walk during qualifying rounds.  Players are not allowed to employ a caddie.  Players are only allowed to attempt to qualify at one qualifying site per year.

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS

Brandon Park, of Weston, posted rounds of 76-69-72--217 to win the boys 16-18 age division as Evan Byrd, from Ocala, carded a 72-72-71--215 for the 13-15 age division title at Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach.

PRACTICE ROUND AND PRACTICE FACILITY INFORMATION

Practice rounds are available one week prior to the Championship on a space available basis at either golf course.  Practice rounds are restricted to after 12:00 PM on the weekend prior to the Championship. The price for your practice round is $30.00 + tax.  Please call (407) 239-1909 to arrange your practice round.  The proper place to practice your golf swing is on the driving range, hitting multiple shots on the course is unacceptable.

You may not make your practice round tee time before groupings are made. Groupings will be made on Tuesday, June 22nd and faxed to the clubs that morning. 

Players will be allowed to use the practice facilities after their practice round on Sunday and after each competitive round. 

EXEMPTIONS

Players in the following categories will be eligible for exemption provided they meet all entry, age and eligibility requirements.

• Previous Boys Junior Champions (either age division)
• Top 10 & tied from last year's Boys Junior Championship 16-18 age division
• Top 5 & tied from last year's Boys Junior Championship 13-15 age division
• Last year's Boy's Junior Match Play Champions (Championship brackets only)
• Top 3 & tied from last year's FHSAA Class 1A Golf Finals
• Top 3 & tied from last year's FHSAA Class 2A Golf Finals
• Current season's Florida Junior Tour Boys Winners Top 15 & tied (16-18) and top 10 & tied (13-15) from the current year's FJT Points List as of the close of entries
• Players qualifying for any one of last year's USGA National Championships
• Players making the cut at last year's Amateur Championship

CHAMPIONSHIP PACE OF PLAY: Click here to read the Championship Pace of Play Policy (timing checkpoints at holes 9 and 18).

HARD CARD; LOCAL RULES AND CONDITIONS OF COMPETITIONS: Click here to read the Hard Card and additional Conditions of Competitions.

CHAMPIONSHIP POLICIES: Click here to read the withdrawal, dress code, caddie and spectator and other policies.

ALTERNATE PROCEDURES: Click here here for information on how alternates may gain entry into either qualifying for the Championship or into the Championship proper.

SPECTATORS AND CADDIES

Spectators are always welcome at FSGA Championships. Spectators are allowed to ride and the cost of a spectator cart is $25 plus tax.  Players are not allowed to employ a caddie. Spectator carts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and the number of carts allowed per group may be limited. Click here for spectator policies.

CONDITIONS; SCHEDULES

The FSGA Championships Committee/on-site Rules Committee reserves the right to alter any of the conditions, provisions and/or schedules.  The decision of the Championships Committee/on-site Rules Committee in any matter will be final.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Please click on the Hotel icon for hotels in the Orlando area.

METHOD OF PAYMENTS

Grand Cypress will accept cash, Visa/MasterCard, and American Express for payment.