Marlin Ho-Tack | Yingshi (Lydia) Lin | Thaddius Huainigg | Ana Boone
PORT SAINT LUCIE, Fla. - Santa Lucia River Club served as host for this weekend’s FJT (13-18) *Non-Exempt* event. The Jack Nicklaus designed course proved to be challenging for players throughout the thirty-six-hole competition, forcing competitors to hit precise tee shots. Four players rose to the challenge the course offered and came out on top, capturing their first FJT victories of the season.
Boys (16-18)
Marlin Ho-Tack, a Port Saint Lucie native, captured his victory in wire-to-wire fashion. After an opening round 73, Ho-Tack took a one shot lead over Jake Ackerman and a three shot lead over the next pursuer. Heading into the final round, Ho-Tack got off to a shaky start which opened the door for the field to narrow the lead. However, after the turn, Ho-Tack found some magic and closed his final nine holes in one over par, 37 giving him the win.
In second place, Rafael Frias took advantage of his second round with a 2-under par, 70. His round vaulted him up the leaderboard by twelve positions and gave Frias the low round of the tournament. Frias’s round was highlighted by five birdies, which was the most carded for round two.
Nathan Proctor and Brock Buhnerkemper also leaped up the leaderboard after the second round to take a share of third place. Buhnerkemper’s round of even par 72 moved him up ten positions and was also tied for the second lowest round of the day.
Boys (13-15)
Thaddeus Huainigg played constantly throughout the tournament, carding rounds of 74-73—147 which gave him the three shot victory. Huainigg started his day one shot out of the lead, but thanks to consistent play of one birdie, and only two bogies, he found his way on top of the pack quickly.
Jessy Huebner also fired a final round 73 to move him up to second place for the tournament. Huebner improved his round one total by four and with a birdie on the difficult 9th, his 18th hole of the day, found himself in solo second. Chase Bauer brought home third place this weekend after rounds of 73-78—151.
Bauer made a charge for the lead shooting an even par, 36 after his first nine holes. A few late bogies coming in, Bauer finished in solo third.
Girls (16-18)
Yingshi (Lydia) Lin also brought home her victory in wire-to-wire fashion. With rounds of 77-74—151 Lin separated herself from the field in commanding fashion and finished on top by ten. Lin lead the field in birdies for the weekend with nine total.
In second place, Violet Robbins started the day tied for the lead, but with a second round 84 found herself quickly chasing Lin. Robbins round was highlighted by a fantastic front nine score of even par, 36.
Catalina Harvey and Miriam Barcalova finish the day in a tie for third place at a two-day total of 162. Both players played consistently from day to day and finished six shots over the remainder of the field.
Girls (13-15)
Ana Boone took control of the lead from day one. Her opening round of 74 gave her an eleven shot lead heading into day two. Boone never let off the gas and after her closing round took home a fourteen shoot victory. Boone carded six birdies throughout the two days, second most for all the girl’s divisions.
Sofia Macapagal played consistently both rounds and found herself in a battle for second place. With a closing nine score of 39, Macapagal was able to hold onto second place.
Callie Nelson, also in the battle for second, improved her score by eight shots from round one to round two. With a bogey on her final hole, Nelson just fell short and claimed third place, ten shots better then the next competitor.
