Orange County National (16-18)

Byrd, Hurst Win at Orange County National

James Byrd topped the boys 16-18 age division to win the Florida Junior Tour (FJT) event at Orange County National Golf Center as Vicky Hurst won the girls 16-18 age division on December 18-19.

James Byrd, 15, of Windermere, fired a 67 in the first round for the low round of the tournament. Byrd carded a 74 in the second round to finish with a 3-under par 141 on the Crooked Cat Course and win the title. This is Byrd’s first FJT event playing up an age division. Last season, his best finish came at the Ritz-Carlton event where he tied for third. Kyle Hammond, 17, also from Windermere, and Bradley Stone, 16, of Jacksonville, tied for second place each shooting a 74-72—146. This is both Hammond’s and Stone’s best finish in an FJT event.

Vicky Hurst, 14, of Melbourne, won her third FJT title at Orange County with scores of 71-74—145. Hurst’s two-round total of 145 is her lowest two-round total to date in an FJT tournament. This is Hurst’s second title in the 16-18 age division after winning at TwinEagles in October and leads this season’s points list. Last season, Hurst won the 13-15 age division at the first FJT event at the Ritz-Carlton. Yu Lee, 16, from Orlando, placed second shooting 82-73—155. Lee also finished second at the TwinEagles event and has two previous fifth place finishes. Sandra Changkija, the 2003-2004 FJT Player-of-the Year in the girls 13-15 age division, shot 79 in each round to take third place. Changkija, 15, from Orlando, also played up in the TwinEagles event where she placed sixth.

Orange County National's Panther Lake Course was the first course ever designed to feature 18 signature holes and showcase the native beauty of the Florida landscape. It accomplishes this feat in spectacular fashion. The sheer variety of the holes will astound you and make you think you are playing golf on holes that are continents, not yards apart.

The course incorporates rolling hills with up to 60-foot elevation changes as it winds through natural oak hammocks, pine forests, scenic wetlands and glistening freshwater lakes. A heroic 7,295-yard from the tips Panther Lake also offers the more manageable options of 6816, 6298 and 5094 yards allowing players of all levels to enjoy as much or as little course as they wish. While the phrase you will use every club in your bag is often over used, at Panther Lake you can be sure that you will need all 14 clubs! While the front nine will test your skill as the course weaves through natural Florida wetlands putting a premium on accuracy, the back offers a different challenge. There you will find very un-Florida like changes of elevation, and pine tree lined fairways reminiscent of the Carolinas. Orange County National has been host to the 2001 PGA Tour Qualifier 2nd Stage and the 2003 & 2005 PGA Tour Q-School Finals.

Application Procedure
Tournament applications for this event may enter on-line at www.floridajuniortour.org Players must complete a membership form, read the Tournament Policies and pay the membership fees before the tournament application will be processed. Entries must be received by 4:30pm EST of the closing date. Telephone or fax request will not be considered for selection. Players will receive an e-mail that their entry has been received and a second e-mail will be sent when the player is accepted into the field. As a player is not automatically confirmed into the tournament, travel arrangements should not be made until the second confirmation e-mail is received.

Entry Fee Includes
The entry fee of $95 includes Saturday and Sunday tournament rounds of golf, range balls prior to the tournament rounds and a tee prize.

Schedule of Play

The Orange County National Sunday Lunch Special
The lunch special will begin approximately 12:30 PM for players, parents and guest of the Florida Junior Tour. The special will be consist of a hamburger or hotdog, chips, and soft drink for $9 inclusive.

Practice Round
Participants can set up a practice round at a special discounted rate of $20 plus tax (cart is included) by calling 407-905-2210.

Times are available beginning December 10th after 1 PM and you may call 7 days prior to the date you request. Walking will NOT be permitted.

For an accompanying parent/guardian who wishes to play with the junior event participant the cost will be $20 plus tax.

Walking and Pull Carts
All players must walk and carry their clubs during the competition rounds. Pull carts will be permitted.

Directions
The Orange County National is located off Hwy 27,

See www.fsga.org, club directory, for a map and directions to the course.

Hotel Information
Arrangements have been made at: You must identify yourself as an FJT competitor for reservations.

Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge,
16301 Phil Ritson Way - Winter Garden - FL - 34787
Direct: 888-727-3672 Fax: 407-656-4045
Web: www.ocngolf.com
Rate: $55 plus tax per room
Rate available: June 20-22, 2004

Tees To Play
Tees are not set until the tournament staff arrives on site. Tournament set up can change, including yardages, to offset inclement weather or other course conditions (i.e. course conditions wet). Typical yardages are below.:

• Boys 16 – 18 6700 – 6900 Yards
• Girls 16 – 18  6100 – 6300 Yards

Junior Golf Scoreboard Ranked
This event is a Junior Golf Scoreboard ranked tournament.

AJGA (Performance Based Entrance)

• Boys 16-18     Champion              - 1 Exemption
• Boys 16-18     Top Five Finishers  - One Performance Star
• Girls 16-18      Champion              - 1 Exemption

Registration
Registration will be available in front of the pro-shop beginning at 9:30 AM prior to the first round. ALL players are expected register. First round pairings, pace of play policy, local rules, hole locations and general tournament information will be distributed at registration.

Tee Times & Pairings
First round pairings and starting times will be available on the Florida Junior Tour website 3 days after the closing date and on Thursday, May 26th, at the Pro Shop. After the completion of the first round, all competitors will be regrouped by score within age group for their next round. Final round pairings will be available one hour after the final score has been posted. They will be posted to the FJT web site, on the scoreboard, and in the pro shop. It is the players’ responsibility to be at his/her respective tee at least 10 minutes prior to teeing off. We recommend that you always see your tee time in black and white and if you still have questions, please contact an FJT official at the host facility.

Rules
USGA Rules of Golf will govern play. Local rules will be distributed at registration on Saturday.

Pace of Play
Pace of play will be strictly enforced with anticipated rounds less than 4 hours and 30 minutes. We strongly recommended that you become knowledge of the FJT Pace of Play Policy. Pace of Play Policy can be reviewed on the FJT web site under Tournaments section.

Spectators Carts

Spectators will be authorized to rent carts, but must follow the published policy (available on site). More information is available on the FJT web site under Parents.