Eustaquio Wins State Junior Championship
Judson Eustaquio fired a 5-under par 139 to capture the Boys 16-18 age division of the 50th Florida State Junior Championship at The Golden Bear Club at Keene’s Pointe in Windermere. Wesley Graham posted a two-day total of 142 to win the Boys 13-15 age division.
Going into the final round, Eustaquio, of Lake Worth, shared the lead with Tyler Hitchcock after each shot a 4-under par 68. In the final round, Eustaquio, 16, started with a bogey and double bogey on the first two holes. He steadily recovered to finish with a 1-under par 71 in the final round to secure the Championship. In June, Eustaquio advanced to the final rounds of the Florida State Amateur Championship and finished tied for 31st place. Hitchcock, 18, from Clermont, placed second shooting an even par 72 in the final round, 140 two-day total. Billy Horschel, from Grant, finished 3-under par 141, shooting a 73-68 to place third.
In the Boys 13-15 age division, Wesley Graham, 14, of Port Orange, maintained his first round lead to win the title shooting 68-74—142. Julian Suri, 13, of St. Augustine, jumped from third to tie for second placed firing a 72-74—146. After a first round score of 77, Matthew Krembel, from Shalimar, blasted a 69 to tie with Suri at 146.
Competitors first must have qualified at one of the eight sites across the state in 18 holes of stroke play. The Championship field featured 90 of the top male amateur golfers in the state playing 36 holes of stroke play in the two-day Championship. The boys 16-18 age division consisted of 60 of the top junior golfers playing from 6948 yards while 30 golfers in the boys 13-15 age division played from 6594 yards. Next year, the Florida State Junior Championship will be played at Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club in Tampa.
The Champion of the regular division receives five exemptions into AJGA events. The top five from the regular division receive three exemptions each into AJGA events and the top ten finishes will receive one exemption toward an AJGA open tournament. Additionally, the top three finishes in each age division receive a full exemption into the 2004-2005 Florida Junior Tour and the 4-10 finishes receive three exemptions into the Florida Junior Tour. Also, the top 10 finishes in the 16-18 division will be invited to compete in the Florida State Junior Match Play Invitational at Lake Nona Golf Club later this month. The top five finishes in the 13-15 division will also be invited to compete in the Junior Match Play Invitational.
Started in 1955, the Junior Championship crowns the best
junior golfer in Florida. Former Champions include Gary Koch, Len
Mattiace, Josh McCumber, Jeremy Anderson and Matt Kuchar. The Jack
Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at Keene’s Pointe reflects the
extraordinary beauty, challenging layout and environmental sensitivity
that Nicklaus is known for. Surrounded by sparkling lakes and majestic
oaks, this 18-hole masterpiece appeals to golfers of every level.
CARTS 
