FJT Heritage Oaks Open (9-12)

Sarasota, Fla. – Four champions were crowned on Sunday at Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club at the final Florida Junior Tour (9-12) event of the year. Josiah Joseph captured the victory for the Boys (11-12) age division carding a tournament total of one-over par while Lilliana Ford captured the victory for the Girls (11-12) division carding a tournament total of five-over par. In addition, Benny Minter and Bella Simoes secured the victory for the Boys and Girls (9-10) age division.

Boys (11-12)

Josiah Joseph earned his win after he delivered a solid first round on Saturday posting a two-over par, 73. Joseph played consistent with only two bogeys and 16 pars and finished the day one stroke off of the lead. After getting off to a rough start with two bogeys in the first four holes, Joseph then went on to play the next 14 holes at three-under par. His final back nine was his best of the tournament with eight pars and one birdie to shoot 34 and close out his win by one stroke over Jeremy Castellanos.

Girls (11-12)

Lilliana Ford captured the win for her division with a tournament total of five-over par. She carded a 5-over, 76, and held third place through round one. Ford delivered an impressive final round complete with three birdies and an eagle. She birdied two consecutive holes and then holed-out from the fairway for an eagle on her first nine. She locked in a consistent back nine with one birdie and one bogey for an even par round of 71 to take the win by four strokes over Alexandra Phung and Fernanda Carrion.

Boys (9-10)

Benny Minter secured the victory after a 3-hole play-off with Zachary Netz. Minter finished round one tied for the lead after carding an eight-over par, 79. He delivered a solid front nine in his final round at just one-over par. Netz caught up to him after the second nine and the two players finished 36-holes tied at 15-over par. The pair entered into a three-hole playoff, and Minter captured the victory in style with a birdie on the third playoff hole.

Girls (9-10)

Bella Simoes recorded an impressive first round. She had four birdies over 18-holes and carded a two-over par, 73. Simoes held the lead by one stroke after round one. In the final round, Simoes made the turn at four-over par and closed it out with a clutch back-nine score at even par. She finished the round with two birdies overall and secured the victory by three strokes over Iris Lee.

Divisions and Approximate Yardages

• Boys (9-10) - 5,000 yards (gross only)
• Girls (9-10) - 4,200 yards (gross only)
• Boys (11-12) - 5,500 yards (gross only)
• Girls (11-12) - 5,000 yards (gross only)

How Entries are Accepted

• Entries will be accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis.
• Late entries will be accepted if space is available ($10 late entry fee).
• If entries have reached capacity, additional players will be placed on an alternate's list.
• The alternate's list will be posted to the FJT website under "Tee Times & Player Information."
• Entries close approximately 2 1/2 weeks prior to the tournament.
• At the close of entries, if the 9-10 division (boys or girls) has 3 or less entrants, those players must choose one of the following options: 1) Play up into the 11-12 division OR 2) Withdraw from the event and receive a full refund.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, December 3rd

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM - Tournament Registration (near pro shop)
11:30 AM -12:51 PM - Round one tee times off of the 1st and 10th tees

Sunday, December 4th 

7:30 AM - 9:27 AM - Round two tee times off of the 1st and 10th tees
Awards presentation immediately following the completion of play

Mandatory Educational Meeting - Saturday

• Each golfer MUST attend a mandatory meeting with FSGA staff prior to their tee time on Saturday. 
• Topics to include: Etiquette, rules, pace-of-play, how to feel comfortable playing in events, care for the course, appreciation of club staff and volunteers.
• Meetings will generally take place near or on the practice putting green.
• Each player MUST attend the meeting associated with his/her tee time.
• Meetings will be approximately 15 to 20 minutes long. 
• Parents are encouraged to attend.

*If a players fails to make the meeting at their scheduled time, they will not be allowed to participate in the event.*

Five FJT Standards

Competing at beautiful clubs around the state is a privilege and it is important for all of our players and parents to place value on the following five duties:

• Say please and thank you to the club staff and our volunteers
• Rake bunkers
• Fix ball marks
• Step on/repair your divots
• Throw away your garbage! There should never be trash on the ground anywhere on the course (place trash in waste receptacles, golf carts or even your bag if no other place is available).

Showing Appreciation and Proper Manners - At all courses where juniors play, they should show appreciation to the members and staff. To all of our junior players, let's show the clubs that you are not only the most talented golfers in the country, but also the most respectful. A "thank you" to the club and taking care of the course are the best ways to make a positive impression on the club, fellow players, coaches and spectators.

How to Enter

Entries are submitted through the FSGA website. To enter, each player must create an FSGA account on this website (free to set-up), purchase a current Junior Membership ($40), and have an active Florida GHIN Handicap (included in membership if golfer does not already have one). To proceed, click the "Enter" button above once entries have opened.

Late Entry Fee: A late fee of $10 will be applied to entries submitted after the close of entries date. The entry fee and late fee will only be applied if the player gets accepted in to the tournament field.

Practice Rounds

Practice rounds are available one week prior to the tournament on a space-available basis. Tee times are only available after 12:00 noon the weekend prior.  The price for a practice round is $30.00 + tax. Please call (941) 926-7600 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.

National Rankings

Florida Junior Tour Policies

• Tournament & Entry Policies
• Hard Card
• Pace of Play
• Code of Conduct
• Spectator Policy

Host Hotel

Hampton Inn Sarasota - I-75 Bee Ridge
5995 Cattleridge Blvd
Sarasota, FL 34232
941-371-1900

Directions

Heritage Oaks Golf & Country Club
4800 Chase Oaks Drive
Sarasota, FL 34241
941-926-7600

Click here for directions.