Blayne Barber fired a 5-under par 66 to take a one stroke lead in the 54th Florida State Boys Junior Championship as Chris Ingham shot a 67 to also lead by one in the 13-15 age division at Interlachen Country Club and Country Club of Orlando. The Championship continues through Wednesday, July 9.
The 2006 Boys Junior Champion Blayne Barber looks to win another title as he holds a one stoke lead heading into the second round of play. Barber, of Lake City, fired a 5-under par 66 on the par 71 Country Club of Orlando course. Barber made three birdies on the front nine to post a 33 and with three birdies and one bogey on the back nine, Barber matched his 33 for the back. George Letson, of Tampa, trails Barber by one stroke after turning in a 4-under par 67 at Country Club of Orlando. Kenny Leech, of Boca Raton, shot a 68 for sole possession of third place as five players are tied at 70. Four juniors shot the 1-under par at Country Club of Orlando, while Matt Kocolowski, from Apopka, shot the low round at Interlachen after shooting a 1-under par 71 on the par 72 course.
In the 13-15 age division, Chris Ingham, of Pinecrest, leads the field after shooting a first round 5-under par 67 at Interlachen. Pinecrest recorded an even par 36 on the front nine and made five birdies on the back nine to post a 31. Matthew Ceravolo, of Palm Beach Gardens, sits one back from Ingham shooting a 68 at Interlachen. AJ Crouch, of Jacksonville, and MJ Maguire, of Saint Augustine, each posted an even par at Interlachen in the first round to tie for third place heading into the second round of play.
More than 370 entries were filed for the 2008 Championship setting a new tournament record. 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 120 of the top male amateur golfers in the 16-18 age division and 48 top juniors in the 13-15 age division. In the Championship, competitors will play 18 holes on each course with the final 18 holes at Interlachen Country Club.
To enter, participants must be between the ages of 13-18 as of July 9 and not attending college. Also, the juniors must have a handicap index no higher than 17.4.
