TAMPA, Fla. – This week, the top junior golfers from across Florida will gather in Lakewood Ranch for the FJT Tour Championship. Lakewood National Golf Club will host 72 talented players competing over 54 holes to determine four champions.
Understanding the Competition
The first FJT Tour Championship took place in 2012 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, and this year marks its 13th edition. FJT winners from the current season in the (16-18) and (13-15) age divisions are exempt into the tournament field. Champions of Individual FSGA State Championships in 2024 are also granted exemptions into the event. The remaining spots in the field are the highest point earners during the 2023-2024 FJT season.
Saturday Morning Featured Pairings
This year’s field includes 51 FJT Champions among the 72 players, promising an exciting weekend of competition. Check out some of this year's featured pairings and be sure to follow along as the action unfolds from October 5-6th.
Boys (16-18)
7:45 off 10 - Luke Balaskiewicz, William Lisle, Wylie Inman
- Luke Balaskiewicz is entering the competition with momentum, having just shot a remarkable 9-under 62 at the Jax Beach Varsity Invitational while representing Bolles High School. He also competed as part of the North Junior Florida Cup Team, secured a victory at the FJT CC of Ocala, and made the cut at both the 107th Amateur and the 70th Boys’ Junior.
- William Lisle has achieved impressive milestones, reaching the Round of 32 at the U.S. Junior and representing the South Junior Florida Cup Team. He also secured a top 10 finish at the 70th Boys' Junior Championship. Notably, Lisle won the FJT Innisbrook and FJT Santa Lucia *Exempt-Only* tournaments in consecutive weeks last December.
- Wylie Inman joined Lisle as part of the South Junior Florida Cup Team, as well as four straight top 10's this fall. In fact, Inman only finished outside the top 10 once in 9 events this year.
8:12 off 10 - Shawn Coultoff, Konner Kubica, Clark Mason
- Shawn Coultoff, an FSU commit, won the 2022 Boys' Junior Championship and is currently ranked 135th among junior golfers. He was just two shots shy of a qualifying spot with nine holes remaining in the US Open Final Qualifier. Coultoff also secured a top 10 finish at the Boys Junior and placed T-27 at the 107th Amateur, and is a member of Team Florida.
- Konner Kubica has managed five top-fives this year, with one victory coming at the FJT Eagle Harbor Open. Kubica has seen five Top 5's this year, and received medalist honors at the 46th Michigan Junior State Amateur.
- Clark Mason, another selected member of Team Florida is this year’s FJT Sam Parks *Major* Champion, along with the 2022 FJT Tour Championship winner. Mason has been successful in this event, finishing inside the top 3 in each of the past two years.
Boys (13-15)
8:57 off 10 - Jaspreet Kondal, Nathan Drummond, Nolan DeForest
- Jaspreet Kondall claimed victory at this year’s FJT Highlands Ridge *54-Hole Major* and also won the FJT Stoneybrook West Open. He achieved a top-10 finish at this year’s Boys Junior, tied for third among the (13-15) Division, and has recorded five top-five finishes this season..
- Nathan Drummond was victorious at the FJT Candler Hills Open and the FJT Sandridge Open. Drummond is a powerful player, and when he’s in contention he typically comes out on top.
- Nolan DeForest has built an impressive resume, earning titles as the FJT Skyview Open Champion and the Junior Amateur Match Play medalist, while also achieving four top-3 finishes this season.
Girls (16-18)
8:12 off 1 - Katelyn Huber, Sophia Dyer, Hannah Hall
- Katelyn Huber has a strong history of success, having won the Tour Championship in 2022. A commit to the University of Florida, she recorded a remarkable Round Two score of 64 at the FJT Sandridge *Exempt Only*, marking the second lowest score for Girls (16-18) in FJT history. Additionally, Huber had a top-10 appearance at the 65th Girls’ Junior Championship.
- Sophia Dyer has added her name to an esteemed list of ladies this year as the 95th Women's Amateur Champion. Dyer went on to make it to the Round of 64 at U.S. Girls’ Junior and competed in U.S. Women's Amateur as well.
- Hannah Hall, runner-up in the playoffs at the 65th Girls’ Junior, recently committed to the University of Kansas. Hall has won 3 straight FJT's (Harbor Hills Open, Sugar Mill Open, Duran Open) and looks to keep that momentum going.
7:54 off 1 - Marley Pedrique, Kayla Bryant, Krishny Elwin
- Marley Pedrique knows a thing or two about playing under pressure, having secured her spot in Match Play at the U.S. Girls’ Junior by winning in a playoff with a birdie on the first hole. She boasts multiple FJT victories, including wins at the FJT Santa Lucia *Exempt Only*, FJT Santa Lucia Open, and FJT CC of Ocala Open. Additionally, Pedrique advanced to the Round of 32 at the 95th Women's Amateur.
- Kayla Bryant is a name to watch, as the Defending Champion and currently undefeated on the Florida Junior Tour this season. In fact, she hasn't lost an FJT since September 2023. Her victories include the FJT Indian Spring Open, FJT The Park Open, and the FJT Pam McCloskey-Brosnihan Major.
- Krishny Elwin, a member of the Underrated Golf Tour, is the 2024 FJT Vero Beach Open winner and has three top-5’s this year.
Girls (13-15)
8:57 off 1 - Grace Carter, Alexandra Phung, Iris Lee
- Grace Carter, Team Florida member, was victorious at this year’s FJT Harbor Hills Open and FJT Osprey Point Open. Carter hasn't finished outside the top 5 all year.
- Alexandra Phung has rallied up an impressive statistic– never finishing outside of the top two in an FJT since 2020. She brought home the trophy at this year’s FJT Eagle Creek Open.
- Iris Lee has established an impressive reputation, earning Low Amateur honors at the U.S. Women's Open qualifying at Sugar Mill at just 11 years old. She is the 2024 Futures Champion and finished in the top 15 at the 65th Girls’ Junior. Additionally, Lee is the FJT PGA National Major Champion and has never placed outside the top 6 on the Florida Junior Tour. Over the past two years, she has achieved nine FJT victories.
Explore the Host Course
Lakewood National Golf Club, situated in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, boasts 36 holes of championship golf designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer. The upcoming 13th FJT Tour Championship will move from last year’s Commander Course to this year on the Piper Course, a 7,327-yard par 72 layout that opened in 2019. The Piper Course has earned numerous accolades from Golf Advisor, being recognized as one of the Top Courses in Florida in 2020, 2021, and 2022. It also received the Golf Advisor Golfer’s Choice award in 2021 and was ranked #4 for Top 25 Course Conditions in the U.S. that same year. This course presents a challenging experience for these talented junior golfers.
