Banyan CC (16-18)

Zhang and Janiga Take First at Banyan

Banyan Golf Club, located in West Palm Beach, provided great course conditions for this weekends FJT event, September 27-28.  The softer golf course led to low scores for the Boys' and Girls' 16-18 Age Division.

With good weather and course conditions, winners, Andy Zhang and Mary Janiga, shot under-par rounds both Saturday and Sunday. Zhang, from Reunion, captures his first FJT win of this year by moving from second to first place after round one and Janiga, a local of Wellington, solidly held first place throughout the tournament. 

After round one, Sam Uhland, of Jacksonville, led by opening with a very solid 66 (-6), which gave him a two-stroke lead over Andy Zhang in the Boys' Division. Michael Mattiace brought some excitement to round one with the greatest recovery of the day. After struggling on hole number 11, his second hole, Mattiace played his next 16 holes bogey free at six under-par en route to a 69. This comeback put Mattiace tied for third place with Andrew Potter and Jackson Shoenfelt. In the Girls' Division, Girls' Junior Champion, Mary Janiga, opened with five birdies and a bogey, en route to 68 (-4). Janiga jumped to a one stroke lead over Courtney Zeng who shot a 69 (-3). Courtney Zeng's sister, Kelsey, lurks two behind Courtney and three behind the leader by shooting a one under-par score of 71. 

In round two of the Boys' Division, Michael Mattaice continued his string from Saturday and was six under-par through eight holes with four birdies and an eagle on the drivable par 4 7th hole. Mattaice, who played one group back from the leaders, then stumbled with bogeys on number 9, 11 and 18 pushing him back to tied for second (138) with Andrew Potter. Potter played in the final group with Uhland, making birdies on holes 2, 3, 7, 9, 14, 15 and 18, but faltered with two bogeys and a double bogey, for an up and down round of 69.  Uhland dropped back from the lead to fifth place by shooting a round two score of 75, three over-par. Andy Zhang battled ahead with a 34 on the first nine holes and a bogey free back nine leading to a round two score of 66 (-6) for a tournament total 134, and a four stroke victory. 

In round two of the Girls' Division, Mary Janiga continued solidly, carding only one bogey to finish with a five under-par,139, tournament total. Courtney Zeng, who trailed by one shot after round one, didn't put any real pressure on Janiga. Sisters, Courtney and Kelsey Zeng, finished the tournament tied for second place with a 143 (-1) total.

Mary Janiga won the Girls' Junior Championship and one other FJT event this year at Bear Lakes. Banyan Golf Club marks Andy Zhang's first win of the year after two runner up finishes at Timacuan and Amelia Island. Andy is a seven-time winner on the Florida Junior Tour and captured the 2012 Boys' Junior. Both Zhang and Janiga were quarterfinalists at the US Junior and Girls' Junior this year. There are only six more FJT events this year before the Tour Championship at TPC Sawgrass December 13-14.

Click here for full results.

Click here for Photos from the event

Entries Open:  Wednesday, August 6th
Entry Deadline:  Wednesday, August 20th

16-18 Age Division (age calculated on the last day of the tournament)
$95 or $115 entry fee (GHIN vs non-GHIN price)
Membership is required

PRESENTED BY KEISER UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF GOLF 

The Florida Junior Tour closes out September in West Palm Beach. Banyan Golf Club is a par 72 that stretches out to 7,150 yards. This outstanding layout at Banyan will force the golfer to play many different shots.

Click here to view the club's website. 

Format

• 36 holes of individual stroke play
• 84 total players (typically 66 boys and 18 girls)
• 16-18 age division (age calculated by the last day of the tournament)

Divisions and Approximate Yardages

• Boys 16-18 Age Division - 6,900 yards (gross only)
• Girls 16-18 Age Division - 6,000 yards (gross only)

How Entries are Accepted

• Players with an unused FJT exemption will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis (if submitted before the entry deadline).
• Players without an FJT exemption - all other entries are held until the entry closing date.  Shortly after the closing date, a computer-generated random draw is performed to determine which entries are accepted, and the order of the alternates. All players are notified of their status after the random draw is conducted,
• An alternates list will be posted to the FJT website under "Tee Times & Player Information".
• Entries submitted after the entry deadline will be added to the bottom of the alternates list or used to fill any openings in the field.

Click here for more details.

How to Enter

Entries must be submitted through the FSGA website. To enter, each player must have an account on this website (free to setup), and a current FJT Junior Membership ($40). Click "Enter" above in the Tournament Links box.

Entry Fee

The entry fee of $95 (for GHIN handicap members) or $115 (non-GHIN handicap members) includes tournament rounds, range balls prior to tournament rounds, crystal trophies for the top three finishers, and a tee gift. 

To receive the GHIN handicap price, the player, or one of the player's parents must have an active GHIN handicap at a club in Florida. The seven digit GHIN number must be included and active when the entry is submitted. Click on the Handicaps tab above in the main menu for more information.

Late Fee:  A late fee of $10 will be applied to entries received after the entry deadline. The entry fee and late fee will only be charged if the player gets accepted into the tournament field.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, September 27th

10:30 AM - 1:30 PM - Tournament Registration (near pro shop)
12:00 PM - 1:57 PM - Round one tee times off the 1st and 10th tees

Sunday, September 28th

8:00 AM - 9:57 AM - Final round tee times off the 1st and 10th tees
Approximately 3:00 PM - Awards presentation

Practice Rounds

Practice rounds are available one week prior to the tournament on a space-available basis. Times times are only available after 12:00 noon the weekend prior.  The price for a practice round is $30.00 + tax. Please call 561-793-0177 to arrange your practice round. The proper place to practice your golf swing is on the driving range, hitting multiple shots on the course, not filling divots, and not repairing ball marks are unacceptable and may cause removal from the tournament without a refund.

AJGA Performance Based Entry (PBE)

Boys

• Winner receives 8 performance stars
• Top five finishers receive 4 performance stars

Girls

• Winner receives 8 performance stars
• Top three finishers receive 4 performance stars

National Rankings

• Ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard

Other Policies

• Walking - players must walk during tournament rounds
• Spectators & Carts - Spectators are allowed. Spectator carts are available first-come, first-served at $25 + tax per day, per cart Click here
• Caddies - Caddies are not allowed
• Range Finders (Electronic Measuring Devices) - are allowed (see Local Rules link below)
• Championship Pace of Play Policy - Click here
• Local Rules and Conditions of Competition - Click here
• Championship Policies - Click here to read the withdrawal, dress code, and other policies.
• Procedures for Alternates - Click here for information on how alternates may gain entry into this tournament.
• Conditions/ Schedule - The FSGA Championships Committee/on-site Rules Committee reserves the right to alter any of the conditions, provisions and/or schedules.  The
  decision of the Championships Committee/on-site Rules Committee in any matter will be final.

Hotel & Accommodations

A host hotel has not been arranged at this time. There are several hotels in the West Palm Beach area. Use the "Hotels" link above in the Tournament Links box or search on the internet. Please note the cancellation policies before making any reservations.

Directions

Banyan Golf Club
1393 Lyons Rd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33411
Click for Map