Matarazzo and Waldo Triumph in Ocala
OCALA, Fla. – The Country Club of Ocala played host to 84 juniors for the FJT CC of Ocala Open (16-18) event. Whilst the course played tough over the 36 holes, two juniors were able to leave Ocala with the crystal.
Boys (16-18)
The Country Club of Ocala proved to be a tough test of golf as the firm fairways and undulating greens forced players to be precise with their tee shots and approaches. Starting on the 10th hole in round 1, Grant McCall would look to get off to a hot start to open up his round. The Bradenton native would make a birdie on his opening hole to get into red numbers. The 2027 grad would make two bogies and one more birdie on his first nine holes to turn at even par. McCall's second nine holes would prove to be the difference maker as he would make birdies on holes 1, 7 and 8 to put together a 3-under par, 69 in round 1. This would put McCall two shots clear of his closest competitor, Xin Wang. Wang , also from Bradenton, would make five birdies on the day on holes 1, 2, 5, 15 and 18. Five players would finish their round in a tie for third place at 1-over par. Come Sunday, McCall would be looking to earn his first FJT victory, and would have to continue his stellar play to do so.
Starting the final round in a five-way tie for third place, Eduardo Matarazzo would set his eyes on the top spot. The Boca Raton native would not get off to a great start, making bogies on the first and second hole to put him two shots further back of the lead. The turning point would come on the 5th hole where Matarazzo would make an eagle three on the par 5. From there on, the 2024 grad would have a clean scorecard, with a further two birdies on holes 12 and 15 to seal the victory. Matarazzo's 1-under par total would be enough for a comfortable 3-shot margin of victory as he picked up his first FJT victory in Ocala. The round 1 leader, Grant McCall would struggle in round 2. A closing birdie on the par 5, 18th hole would vault him into solo second place for the weekend. Jack VanderSchuur, Hung Khanh Le and Pietro Maria Piccoli would finish in a tie for third place at 3-over par.
Girls (16-18)
Peyton Johnson would end round one at the top of the leaderboard after an opening round of 2-over par, 74. In search of her first FJT victory, the Tallahassee native would put together a consistent round of two bogies, two birdies and a lone double bogey. Jamie Lowry, Emma Rynn and Julie Waldo would all sit in a tie for second place, one shot back at 3-over par. Waldo's round was highlighted by an eagle on the par 5, 18th hole.
Sunday's final round would bring some excitement as the lead would constantly change hands throughout the day. However, when the final putt dropped, Julie Waldo would be the one sitting at the top. The Prattville, Alabama native would play consistent golf in some tough conditions in the final round. After making the turn on Sunday at 5-over par, Waldo would sit 1-shot back of the leaders Jamie Lowry and Peyton Johnson. With Johnson making a double-bogey on the par 4, 3rd hole, Waldo would continue to battle it out with Lowry throughout the final nine holes. The 7th hole proved to be a crucial point in the round with a 2-shot swing as Waldo made birdie to Lowry's bogey. Johnson, not to be forgotton, would re-insert herself into the picture by making birdies on the 5th and 8th holes. Standing on the 9th tee, the final hole of the round, Waldo would have a 1-shot advantage over both Lowry and Johnson. With Lowry and Johnson both making bogies, Waldo would make a clutch par to secure her victory by two shots. With scores of 75-73, 4-over par, the 2026 grad would secure her first FJT victory.
