The Forest CC (13-15)

Black, Popelka Win at The Forest

Eric Black won his second Florida Junior Tour title as Sherlyn Popelka captured her first Championship at The Forest Country Club in Fort Myers sponsored by the Lee County Sports Authority.

In the boys 13-15 age division, Eric Black, 15, of Celebration, led after the first round with a 3-under par 69 on the Bear Course. Black shot a 1-over in the second round, also on the Bear Course, to finish with a two-round total of 142 and win the division. Black, who is coming off a strong second place finish in the Public Links Championship, also won an FJT event last season at Marsh Landing. With this win, Black leads the boys 13-15 points list. Chris Wilson, 15, of Winter Springs, placed second with scores of 71-74—145 to have his best finish in an FJT event. Logan Blondell, 15, of Lakeland, recorded a two-round total of 147 to tie with Diego Tamayo, 15, of Key Biscayne, and Ming-Hao Wang, 15, of Bradenton. Wang had a 76 in the first round but jumped into third place with a 71 in the second round. Tamayo, who shot a 73-74, recently captured the boys 14-15 age division in the Doral Publix Junior Classic. The boys division played from 6518 yards.

Playing in her first FJT event, Sherlyn Popelka, 13, of Lake Mary, claimed the girls 13-15 age division winning in a playoff over Evan Jensen, 15, of Belleair. Both girls made par on the first playoff hole, and then Popelka chipped the ball less than two feet from the hole to make par and win on the second playoff hole. Popelka shot a 76-74—150 while Jensen recorded a 72-78—150. Jensen got back into contention in the final round after making eagle on the par five 14th hole. This is Jensen’s best finish as she has a third, fourth and fifth place finish this year. Sara Romero, 15, an exchange student from Columbia, now living in North Port, took third place in her first FJT tournament logging scores of 78-75—153. The girls division played from 5345 yards, also on the Bear Course.

The Forest Country Club - Bear Course - At 7000 yards, the famed Bear Course is often the host for participants in the prestigious USGA Qualifiers, FSGA Championships and exceeds the expectations of those fortunate enough to play it. Ranked by GOLFWEEK Magazine as one of Florida's Top 25 Most Distinctive Courses, The Bear provides the ultimate golfing challenge, all set amid the natural beauty of pine, oak, cypress and palmetto palms.  The Forest Country Club has been a regular stop for many FSGA Championship and USGA Qualifiers.

Eligibility
Male or female amateur golfers that are members of the FJT may apply for participation. 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 4:30pm EST of the closing date. Telephone or fax request 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 player is accepted into the field. 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

The Forest Country Club Cookout
A cookout for players, parents and guest of the Florida Junior Tour is being considered for Sunday after play.

Practice Round
Participants can set up a practice round at a special discounted rate of $25 plus tax by calling 239-481-5700.  Times are available after 10 AM, 5 days in advance. All players must ride and if under 16 parents may play an accompanying round for $45.  Remember you are a guest at The Forest Country Club and gentlemanly/Lady like behavior and proper dress is expected at all times.  The proper place to practice your swing is on the driving range, hitting multiple shots on the course is unacceptable.

Walking and Pull Carts
All players must walk and carry their clubs during the competition rounds. Pull carts will be permitted.

Directions
The Forest Country Club - From I-75 exit at 128 Exit , which is Alico Road.  Proceed West 3 miles to US Highway 41. Go right on US Highway 41 heading North ½ mile. The Forest Country Club will be on the West side of the road.  See www.fsga.org, club directory, for a map and directions to the course.

Hotel Information
Arrangements have been made at: You must identify yourself as an FJT competitor for reservations.

Holiday Inn Select
Available: January 7-9, 2005
Rate: $89 plus tax per room
Reservations: (239)-482-2900
Rate Available until December 7, 2004

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. course conditions wet). Typical yardages are below.:

• Boys 13 – 15 6500 – 6600 Yards
• Girls 13 – 15  5300 – 5500 Yards

Junior Golf Scoreboard Ranked
This event is a Junior Golf Scoreboard ranked tournament.

AJGA (Performance Based Entrance)

• Boys 13-15     Champion              - 1 Exemption to a Jr. All Star event
• Girls 13-15      Champion              - 1 Exemption to a Jr. All Star event

Registration
Registration will be available in front of the pro-shop beginning at 9:30 AM prior to the first round. ALL players are expected 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 Florida Junior Tour website 3 days after the closing date and on Friday, January 7th, at the Pro Shop. 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 one hour after the final score has been posted. They will be posted to the FJT web site, on the scoreboard, and in the pro 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 an FJT official at the host facility.

Rules
USGA Rules of Golf will govern play. Local rules will be distributed at registration on Saturday.

Pace of Play
Pace of play will be strictly enforced with anticipated rounds less than 4 hours and 30 minutes. We strongly recommended that you become knowledge of the FJT Pace of Play Policy. Pace of Play Policy can be reviewed on the FJT web site under Tournaments section.

Spectators Carts

Spectators will be authorized to rent carts, but must follow the published policy (available on site). More information is available on the FJT web site under Parents.