Junior Team Championship

Four Teams Take Home Junior Team Titles

More than 50 junior teams representing their junior programs competed this weekend in the 2009 Florida State Junior Team Championship at Orange Lake Resort in Orlando.

In the Boys 16-18 age division, the First Tee of Naples/Collier secured the win by four strokes with a tournament total of 280 on the Legends Course. After a first round 142, the First Tee of Naples/Collier led by three strokes. In the final round, the team held on strong to post an impressive 138 for the victory. Matt Taylor shot rounds of 70-69 while Chase Marinell and Matt Lawrence also played a major role in the team’s win. The First Tee of Miami came in second place recording a 284 for the tournament.

Leading by eight strokes after the first round, the Greater Orlando Junior Golf Tour dominated the field to win the girls 16-18 age division by twelve. The girl’s team posted a 145 in the first round and finished strong with a 143 in the final round. Erica Popson, Nicole Quinn and Kristine Odaiyar represented the winning team. The Greater Sarasota Junior Golf Association took second place at 300.

In the Boys 13-15 age division on the Reserve Course, the Gold Coast Junior Golf Foundation won the title with a tournament total of 288. Playing for the Gold Coast Junior Golf Foundation, Tyler Gentilella shot a 72-72 as Michael Heda posted a 70-75 and Michael Oretsky recorded a 74-74. The Junior Golf Association of Broward County finished four back from the leading team at a two-round total of 292.

Also playing at the Reserve course, The First Tee Naples/Collier captured the girls 13-15 age division by an overwhelming 10 strokes. Emma Smyser led the team firing a 71-74 as Stephanie Carlozzi and Olivia Lynch also contributed to the team’s success. The Inner Circle of Golf took second place in the girls 13-15 age division.

Teams of three, representing their junior programs, competed in 36 holes of stroke play with the total of the low two of the three gross scores counting for each round. This event is open to junior programs that provide organized tournaments, instruction or clinics which are open to all junior golfers in the community. There are four divisions; boys 16-18, boys 13-15, girls 16-18 and girls 13-15. Competitors played on Orange Lake’s Legends and Reserve Courses.

The 2009 Junior Team Championship is being held at Orange Lake Resort in Orlando, FL.

ELIGIBILITY:  Open to junior programs that provide organized tournaments, instruction, or clinics that are open to all junior golfers in your community. National or statewide tours are not allowed to participate. Junior programs may select the individuals they send to the Team Championship by any criteria they select, however all three players must be directly involved with the local program listed on the entry form.

A maximum of two teams ("A" and "B" team) from each program will be accepted per age division. Additional teams ("C" and "D" teams) may be accepted on a space available basis after the entry deadline.

ENTRY FEE:  $150 per team.

ENTRIES CLOSE:  Wednesday, July 8

CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT:  36 holes of stroke play.  Maximum of three players per team.  Total of the low two scores per round of the three gross scores for each team will count. 

Two courses will be utilized.  Players will play the same course both days.  Course assignments are as follows: Boys 16-18 Division and Girls 16-18 Divisions will play the Legends Course.  Girls 13-15 Division and Boys 13-15 Divisions will play Reserve Course. Course assignments are subject to change pending number of entries received.

DIVISIONS: 
Boys Ages 16-18
Boys Ages 13-15
Girls Ages 16-18
Girls Ages 13-15

COURSES:  Orange Lake Resort (Legends & Reserve Courses).

COURSE LENGTH
Boys 16-18 will play approximately 6600-6700 yards
Girls 16-18 will play approximately 5500-5600 yards
Boys 13-15 will play approximately 6300-6400 yards
Girls 13-15 will play approximately 5000-5200 yards

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

PRACTICE ROUNDS:  Practice rounds will be on August 7th after 9:00 AM on both courses.  Practice rounds at any other day or time are at the prevailing rate.  Each team will be allowed one practice round tee time and any players from that team wishing to play a practice round must play at that scheduled time.  Parents and coaches are not allowed to play.  Cost is $30 plus tax per person and all junior players MUST walk.  To schedule your practice round call  (407) 905-1140.

COACHES:  Each team is allowed ONE Coach.  Only that coach may give advice after the completion of a hole and before the start of the next hole.  Each Coach MUST register themselves as the team coach at the registration table to receive their coaches packet and coaches badge.

COACHES/SPECTATOR CARTS:  Each junior program will receive one cart free of charge for each day of competition to be used by a Coach.  Other Coaches and spectators may rent additional carts for $25 plus tax each day.  The FSGA requests these carts be used to assist in evacuation of players if required.

SPECTATORS AND CADDIES: Spectators are always welcome at FSGA Championships. Spectators are allowed to ride and the cost of a spectator cart is $25 plus tax.  Players are not allowed to employ a caddie.  Click here for spectator policies.

CONDITIONS; SCHEDULES – 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.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Click on the hotel icon.  The FSGA does not have a host hotel.

CHAMPIONSHIP PACE OF PLAY: Click here to read the Championship Pace of Play Policy.

HARD CARD; LOCAL RULES AND CONDITIONS OF COMPETITIONS: Click here to read the Hard Card and additional Conditions of Competitions.

CHAMPIONSHIP POLICIES: Click here to read the withdrawal, dress code, caddie and spectator and other policies.

REMINDER-DRESS CODE:  All players, coaches, and spectators MUST wear a collared shirt while on the golf course or in the clubhouse.  No denim allowed.  Also, male contestants should not wear hats inside the clubhouse.

REGISTRATION:  There will be a registration table located outside the Golf Shop.  All players and coaches are expected to register before the first round. 

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS:  The First Tee of Naples/Collier won the boys 16-18 age division while the Greater Sarasota Junior Golf Association took the girls 16-18 age division on the Magnolia Course. The King and Bear Junior Golf Program won the boys 13-15 age division as the Leadbetter Academy won the girls 13-15 age division on the Lake Buena Vista Course.

AWARDS:  Each member of the winning teams, and individual champions, will receive three exemptions to the Florida Junior Tour.

DEADLINE:  Junior Programs may, through their Junior Program Coordinator, reserve a spot (with a fully-paid entry) without team member's names prior to the closing date, but must have players verified upon close of entries.