Judson Eustaquio, Tyson Alexander and Connor Arendell each fired a 4-under par 68 to share the lead in the 52nd Florida State Boys Junior Championship at Timuquana Country Club in Jacksonville. Julian Suri blasted a 5-under par 67 to have a four stroke advantage in the junior division. The Championship continues through Wednesday, July 12.
Judson Eustaquio, Tyson Alexander and Connor Arendell each posted a first round score of 68 to top the field of 63 juniors in the 16-18 age division. The 2004 Champion Judson Eustaquio, 18, of Lake Worth, made three birdies on the front nine en route to shooting a 33. With a lost ball on the 12th hole, Eustaquio sank a 20 foot putt to save par and finish with a 35 on the back. “My putting saved me today,” said Eustaquio. “There are still two more days to play so I’m just trying to stay focus and play one shot at a time.” Eustaquio will join Tyson Alexander at the University of Florida in the fall. Alexander, 17, of Gainesville, also recorded a 33-35 while Connor Arendell, 16, of Cape Coral, posted a pair of 34’s. Three players sit only one stroke back from the leaders. Blayne Barber, 16, of Lake City, Matt Tribby, 18, of Gainesville, and Tom Drill, 17, of Jacksonville, each posted a 3-under 69 in the first round.
In the Boys 13-15 age division, Julian Suri, 15, of St. Augustine, leads the field of 27 juniors shooting a 67. Suri, who most recently earned medalist honors in the US Junior Qualifying at Marsh Landing, made six birdies to shoot 34-33. “I put my round together real well today,” said Suri. “Tomorrow, I just have to play my game and stay aggressive.” Travis Ralph, 15, of Redington Beach, and Tyler McCumber, 15, from Ponte Vedra Beach, trail Suri by four strokes each shooting a 71.
Competitors first must have qualified at one of the six sites across the state in 18 holes of stroke play. The Championship field features 90 of the top male amateur golfers in the state including qualifiers and exempt players. The field is divided into two age divisions; 13-15 junior division and 16-18 regular division. The 16-18 age division of 63 includes 23 exempt players while the 13-15 age division features three exempt players. For the second year, competitors play 54 holes of stroke play over the course of three days.
The Champion of the Regular division receives three exemptions into AJGA events. The top five from the Regular division receive two exemptions each into AJGA events and the top ten finishers will receive one exemption toward an AJGA open tournament. Additionally, the top 14 finishes in the 16-18 division will be invited to compete in the Florida State Junior Match Play Invitational. The top eight finishes in the 13-15 division will also be invited to compete in the Junior Match Play Invitational.
To enter, participants must be between the ages of 13-18 and not attending college. Also, the juniors must not have a handicap index higher than 17.4. For pairings, tee-times and complete results, please see www.fsga.org.
Organized in 1913, the Florida State Golf Association is a not-for-profit organization that governs amateur golf in the state of Florida. In addition to conducting 22 championships for amateur golfers in the state, the FSGA is responsible for more than 40 qualifying tournaments for USGA National Championships and the new Florida Junior Tour. The FSGA also maintains the USGA Handicap System, performs course ratings throughout Florida and assists in junior programs and scholarships
