James Monnerville fired a 1-over par 73 in the second round to the lead by one stroke in the 55th Florida State Boys Junior Championship as Sawyer Shaw shot a 72-70 to lead by two in the 13-15 age division heading into the final round at Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach. The Championship continues through Thursday, July 9.
After 36 holes, James Monnerville, of Vero Beach, holds a one stroke advantage recording a two-round total of even par 144. Monnerville, fired a first round 1-under par 71 on the par 72 Lakes course to share the lead heading into the second round. Monnerville took sole possession of the lead with a second round one over par 73 on the Links course. In the second round, Monnerville posted a 34 on the front nine and finished his back nine with a 39 to lead by one stroke. Brandon Park, of Weston, posted a 4-over par 76 in the first round on the Links course and then fired a 69 on the Lakes course, the low round of the day, and move into second place with one round remaining. In the second round, Park played steady on the front nine with an even par 36, and birdied holes 12, 14, and 17 for a 33 on the back nine. Austin Powell, of Jupiter and Ernesto Marin, of Miami, trail Monnerville by three strokes posting round two round totals of three over par 147 and are currently in tied for third place. Sixty juniors in the 16-18 age division with a two-round total of 159 and better have advanced to the final round.
In the 13-15 age division, Sawyer Shaw, of West Palm Beach, recorded a second round two under par 70 on the Links course to jump in front by two strokes. After a first round 72 on the Lakes course, Shaw trailed the leader by one. In the second round, Shaw posted a 33 on the front nine, and finished with a 37 on the back nine to secure the lead heading into the final round. Evan Byrd, of Ocala, is in second place after posting a second round 72 on the Links course. Combined with his first round 72, Byrd has a two-round total of even par 144. Jack Hernandez, of Fort Myers, currently sits in third place heading into the final round with a two round total of three over par 147. Eighteen juniors in the 13-15 age division advanced to the final day shooting a two-round total of 154 and better.
More than 300 entries were filed for the 2009 Championship. 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 126 of the top male amateur golfers in the 16-18 age division and 42 top juniors in the 13-15 age division. In the Championship, competitors will play 18 holes on the (Lakes/Links) course with the final 18 holes at Bear Lakes Country Club (Lakes course).
To enter, participants must be between the ages of 13-18 as of July 7 and not attending college. Also, the juniors must have a handicap index no higher than 17.4.
Please see www.fsga.org for pairings, tee-times, and results.
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 25 championships for amateur golfers in the state, the FSGA is responsible for more than 40 qualifying tournaments for USGA National Championships and the Florida Junior Tour. The FSGA also maintains the USGA Handicap System, performs course ratings throughout Florida and assists in junior programs and scholarships.
