ROCKLEDGE, FL - A few windy days, coupled with challenging green complexes lead to a true test this weekend at Rockledge Country Club. At the of the final round, only two came out on top as the Champions.
Boys Division
Despite being listed at 6,400 yards on the scorecard, Rockledge CC held it's own due to the difficult conditions. Round 1 kicked off in the afternoon, and although the weather felt perfect, the winds really started to pick up as the day progessed. We saw a close race up at the top of the leaderboard, which was headlined by William Lisle who carded the only under par round across both divisions, and shot 69 (-2). Following closely behind were Cameron Baez & Darren Zhou, who both came in with an impressive score of 71 (E). It was anyones tournament heading into Round 2, as we saw it come down to the wire.
Round 2 was a beautiful day with perfect conditions. In the boys division, we saw a late charge by Nicklaus Downing with a one-under par front nine and made the turn with (inser number of birdie here) birdies on the card for the back nine shooting a total of 35- =. Downing with a stellar round, would then move himself into a solo runner up. William Lisle felt the pressure as he made the turn four-over, pushing himself out of the lead and out of contention. With an amazing round of 67 (-4), Vlad Alexander Bercea would jump the leaderboard to a solo third shooting a total of 76-67=143. Darren Zhou battled the course as he made the turn with three birdies and 3 bogeys. Making an additional birdies on holes 10,15, and 16, Zhou would then stray from the pack to secure the FJT Rockledge Open Champion title.
Girls Division
At the end of Round 1, we couldn't have asked for a much tighter leadboard to round out the Top 5. Up at the top, and tied for first were Ana Boone & Krystine Basteiro, who both carded a round of 74 (+3). Fresh on their heels was Hannah who came in with 75 (+4), as well as Angela Wang, Ryan Donaldson, & Gabriella DeGasperis, who all remained three shots back after finishing Round 1.
Round 2 was anything but boring as the Top 5 battled the course for the title. With a charge for the top spot, Miranda Lu would shoot the first under-par round within the girls division, and moved into solo third place by shooting 35-35= 70(-1) and a total of 78-70=148 for the tournament. Ana Boone and Krystine Basteiro were neck and neck majority of the day. Basteiro took the lead early, and made the turn at even par, while Boone was two-over after the front nine and sat a few shots back. Without much hesitation, Boone was quickly able to make up those strokes back on the front nine, as Basteiro went on to bogey hole 6, while Boone would birdie holes 3 & 5. The two girls started to stray from the pack with a two stroke lead after 15 holes, and were neck and neck the last three holes. Coming down the stretch, Boone & Basteiro matched each other hole for hole, leading to a head to head sudden death playoff starting on hole #1. After going 4 more holes, Anna Boone came out on top and won the playoff by making par.
