CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – Eagle 
Golf Club was the host for this week's FJT Eagle Trace Open (9-12) event. 71 of the top juniors from around the state gathered to take on the challenging conditions of Eagle Trace Golf Club and Florida’s rainy weather. In the end, four juniors were able to get to the top of their respective divisions and take home the crystal.
Boys (11-12)
Round 1 would see all sorts of weather as players managed to get through two delays. However, there were still some good scores posted by the 11–12-year-old boys with Joshua Fleming taking the lead at 1-under par heading into the final round. Fleming would put together a steady round, making birdies on holes 7,11, and 17. The Deerfield Beach native would be looking to put together another solid round on Sunday with hopes of claiming his first FJT title. Sitting only two shots back would be Jett Billy at even par. The 2030 grad's first round included three birdies along with 1 double bogey and 1 bogey. Rounding out the top three spots after day one was Benny Minter and Zachary Netz at 2 over par. Minter, the Lutz native, had an up and down day, finishing his round with 4 bogeys and 2 birdies. Netz would bounce back from 4 bogeys with two birdies on holes 1 and 15 to sit at 3 over par.
Sunday's final round was planned to be 9 holes as delays from Round 1 carried over into Sunday morning. Play resumed at 7:30am with players vying for Sunday’s crystal. However, Florida’s weather had other plans and unfortunately the events 4th suspension brought heavy rain paired with lighting. Round 2 was ultimately cancelled at 2:03pm after a long weekend for both players and parents. Fleming’s round 1 score of 2-under par would earn him victory for the tournament.
Boys (9-10)
The Boys (9-10) division would appear to a one man show heading into Sunday's final round. Looking to pick up his fifth FJT win, Victor Monssoh would put together an impressive opening round of even par, 72. The Miami native would make 4 birdies on the day. However, mistakes on holes 4 and 8 would return the 2033 graduate to even par. Monssoh sat in a comfortable 10-shot lead heading into Sunday’s final round! Sitting in solo second place was St. Petersburg native Mack Wong. Wong would play a consistent round throughout Saturday, finishing with a score of 10-over 82. Not far behind was Aston Cruz. The Miami native was just 3 shots back of Wong as he fired a 13-over par 85 for solo third place.
Fortunately, the Boys 9-10 division was able to complete their round 1 Sunday morning allowing for Round 2 to take place! Victor did not slow down during his second round. Starting off with an eagle on hole 10, Monssoh cruised to a 16 shot victory a half hour before Sunday’s final storm brewed! This would be Monssoh’s fifth FJT victory!
Girls (11-12)
Round 1 of the Girls (11-12) division would see some fierce competition on Saturday between sisters Catherine Lily Chen and Chloe Audrey Chen! Playing until darkness, the Winter Garden natives kept within range on each other as Catherine maintained her 3 shot lead heading into Sunday. Not far behind Chloe Audrey Chen was Nishika Koduru and Victoria Frias at 6-over par.
Resumption of round 1 Sunday morning brought yet another weather delay as Catherine Lily Chen continued to maintain her lead. Round 1 would ultimately be completed with Catherine taking a four-shot lead heading into round 2 Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, likewise to the Boys 11-12 division, Florida’s weather would end up cancelling round 2 as heavy rains came upon Eagle Trace Golf Club. Catherine’s first round of 1-under par 71 would allow her to take home the prized crystal.
Girls (9-10)
Likewise, to the Boys 9-10 division, the Girls 9-10 would be fortunate enough to complete both rounds 1 and 2! Rounding out first place after Saturday’s round would be Jiratarn Pornchai, firing a 5-over 77. The Middleburg native would post an impressive front nine of 2-over 36 heading into the back. Even after a costly mistake on hole 5, Pornchai would still head into Sunday’s round 2 with a 6-shot lead. Behind Pornchai at 11-over par would be Florida’s drive, chip, and putt representative Cheetah Baez! Baez, the Middleburg native, would fire 10 pars, 6 bogies, and 2 costly bogeys to place her in solo second heading into Sunday. Not far behind was Lakewood Ranch native Joey Wolf, sitting at 13-over par.
Round 2 would see some excitement as players battelled through Florida’s stormy weather. Jumping up 2 spots would be Olando native Lydia Lu. Firing Sunday’s low score for the division, Lu would earn solo third place with an impressive 3-over 39. Maintaining her steady golf, Cheetah Baez’s 43 would be good enough to place her in solo second. Sunday’s champion would ultimately be Jiratarn Pornchai following her round 1 with a score of 8-over 44. This would be Pornchai’s first FJT victory in just 3 starts!
The FSGA wants to thank all players and parents once again for their patience and resilience as everyone battled through Florida’s stormy summer weather!
