Boys' Junior Championship

Hebert Wins Boys Junior

Kang Captures Junior Division Title

Michael Hebert fired a final round 3-under par 69 to capture the 53rd Florida State Boys Junior Championship as Hojin Kang played steady golf to claim the junior division title at the Country Club of Ocala and Golden Hills Golf and Turf Club in Ocala on July 9-11.

In the boys 16-18 age division, Michael Hebert, of Orlando, posted a tournament total of 2-under par 214 to win the 2007 Championship. Hebert, 16, recorded a 70 in the first round at the Country Club of Ocala and shot 75 in the second round at Golden Hills to trail the leader by four. In the final round at Country Club of Ocala, Hebert focused on "staying patient and not trying to force birdies." Starting on the 10th hole, Hebert birdied the 14th hole and then drained a 25 foot putt for eagle on 18 for a 35 on the back nine. On the front nine, Hebert birdied holes 5 and 6 to card a 34 and win the Championship by two strokes. "I really liked playing at the Country Club of Ocala," said Hebert. "The course really suits my game well." Hebert holds three Florida Junior Tour (FJT) titles which earned him last season's division points champion. "This is definitely my biggest win," said Hebert. "It hasn't sunk in yet." Second round leader Taylor Szyndlar, 17, from Jupiter, fell to second place with a final round 75. Szyndlar shot rounds of 73-68 the first two days to finish at even par. In a tie for third place, defending champion Blayne Barber, 17, of Lake City, and Zachery Sobel, 16, from Clearwater Beach, each finished 1-over for the tournament at 217. Barber shot a pair of 74's the first two days and moved ahead with a final round 69 while Sobel posted a 70-73-74.

Hojin Kang, 15, from Longwood, carded all under par rounds to run away with the 13-15 junior division title. Kang shot a 71-70 in the first two rounds to lead the field by one. "I was hitting my tee shots right down the middle and putting good," said Kang. In the final round, Kang started 2-over through eight holes but recovered nicely after the rain delay making four consecutive birdies. Also starting on the 10th hole, Kang went on to birdie holes 18, 1, 2, and 3. In the beginning, "I couldn't get up and down and was missing putts," said Kang. After the delay, "I just tried to stay focus and keep cool." Kang ended with a 2-under par 70 in the final round to win the division by five strokes. "It feels good," said Kang. "Now I can relax." First round leader Cole Engelhardt, 15, of Jacksonville, placed second with rounds of 69-73-74 and Alex Slaton, 14, from Gainesville, took third place shooting a 71-72-77.

Round Two Story

Round One Story

Two great courses in Ocala will hose the 53rd Boys Junior Championship. Tucked in the woods of Ocala’s peaceful horse-country, Country Club of Ocala boasts natural elevation changes, tree-lined lush fairways, and meticulously manicured greens. Since opening in January 1994, the Country Club of Ocala has hosted numerous FSGA, USGA, and Regional PGA events. Golden Hills is also set among rolling hills and thoroughbred horse farms redesigned by Rees Jones. Each division will play both courses with the final 18 holes at Country Club of Ocala.

ELIGIBILITY

Male amateur golfers ages 13-18 as of July 11, 2007. Entrant must not have reached their 19th birthday by July 12, 2007 and not attending college. Entrant must also be (1) a resident of Florida (reside in Florida at least 4 months per year, have otherwise established legal residency or attending a Florida high school; or (2) a member of a FSGA member club; or (3) a parent is military personnel based in Florida on active duty.

ENTRY FEE

$20 ($30 - players who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap). Those individuals who advance to the Championship through qualifying must preregister and remit an additional $120 either online at the FSGA website at www.fsga.org or by check to the FSGA office for advance payment of Championship Fees. Payment must be received by Monday, July 2 by 3:30 pm, or the individual will be withdrawn from the Championship.

EXEMPT PLAYER'S FEE

$130 ($140 - players who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap). Exempt Fee includes Championship Fee and Entry Fee for those individuals eligible for exemption. (See below). All players will compete in the age division commensurate with their age as of the last day of the Championship. No players are allowed to play out of their age division.

EXEMPTIONS

Players in the following categories will be eligible for exemption provided they meet all entry, age and eligibility requirements.

• Previous Boys Junior Champions (either age division)
• Top 5 & tied from last year’s Boys Junior Championship (either age division)
• Top 3 & tied from last year’s FHSAA Class 1A Golf Finals
• Top 3 & tied from last year’s FHSAA Class 2A Golf Finals
• Current season’s Florida Junior Tour Boys Winners (not including Q-Series events)
• Top 5 & tied from the current year’s FJT Points List (either age division) as of the close of entries for the Boys Junior Championship
• Players qualifying for last year’s US Amateur Championship
• Players qualifying for last year’s US Junior Amateur Championship
• Players making the cut at last year’s Amateur Championship
• Special Exemptions as selected by the FSGA

QUALIFYING FORMAT

18 holes stroke play at 6 sites.

CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT

54 holes stroke play.

AGE DIVISIONS

• Junior (13-15) as of July 11, 2007
• Regular (16-18) as of July 11, 2007

COURSES

Country Club of Ocala and Golden Hills Golf and Turf Club

CARTS

All players must walk and carry their own clubs. (Pull carts permitted if course policy allows.) Use of a caddie is not authorized. Spectators will be authorized to rent carts, but must follow the published policy (available on site).

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS

Blayne Barber, of Lake City, shot 69-68-69--206 to win at Timuquana Country Club as Tyler McCumber, from Ponte Vedra Beach, claimed the junior division shooting 71-69-67--207.

HANDICAP LIMIT

No higher than 17.4.