Junior Match Play Championship (Boys 16-18)

Powell Takes Home Junior Match Play Title

Austin Powell captured the Boys 16-18 age division in the Junior Match Play Championship held at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples. The event was held July 27-30.

Austin Powell, of Jupiter, defeated Charlie Bull, of London, in 21 holes of the final match to claim the Championship Bracket of the Boys 16-18 age division. Powell, coming off a top ten finish at the Boys Junior Championship, won four matches before meeting Bull in the finals. Powell, the 15th seed, won his first match 3 and 2 over Jerod Sponner, of Pompano Beach, then proceeded to beat Keith Green, of DeBary, 1 up in the Round of 16. In the quarters, Powell won 3 and 2 over the 2009 Boys Junior Champion Brandon Park, of Weston. In the semi final Powell defeated Devin Hernandez, of Seminole, 3 and 1. In the finals, Powell drained an eight foot putt on the 18th hole to extend the match. After trading pars on the 19th and 20th holes, Powell hit his approach shot to the par 3 12th hole to one foot to capture the Championship.

In the Boys 16-18 Ben Hogan Bracket, Matt Cote, of Palm Harbor, defeated Lee Bowman, from New Smyrna Beach, 3 and 1 for the bracket title. In route to the finals Cote defeated Ian Booth, of Sarasota 6 and 5, John Van Vranken, of Bradenton 1 up, and Logan Hand, of Tarpon Springs 3 and 2.

In the Boys 16-18 Bobby Jones Bracket, Linzy Clark, of Palm Harbor, defeated Connor Murphy, of Valrico 1 up for the bracket title. In route to the finals Clark defeated Keaton Phillips, of Naples by default and Joshua Masterson, Davenport 7 and 5.

Tiburon's two 18-hole championship courses, designed by Greg Norman, are home to the Merrill Lynch Shoot-Out.

ELIGIBILITY:  Male amateur golfers ages 16-18 as of July 30, 2009.

ENTRY FEE:  $110 ($120 - players who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap).

ENTRIES CLOSE:  Wednesday, July 1

SEEDING AND CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT:

Thursday

18-hole seeding round. All players must return an 18-hole score. Players will be placed in brackets and seeded based on their seeding round score. Championship bracket - Low 32 scores from the seeding round. A playoff will be held immediately after the seeding round to determine the low 32 players if necessary. All ties for bracket determination (except Championship bracket) will be broken according to the USGA "matching scorecards" procedure as described in Appendix I of the Rules of Golf. All ties for seeds within brackets will be determined randomly.

Friday

All players play a match in the morning. Winners of the first round of matches will play the second round of matches that afternoon. Afternoon starting times will be posted on the scoreboard. Players will have at least 30 minutes between their first and second round matches.

Saturday

All remaining players play their third round of matches in the morning. Remaining players in the Championship bracket will play their fourth round of matches in the afternoon. Afternoon starting times will be posted on the scoreboard. Players will have approximately 30 minutes between their first and second round matches.

Sunday

Final round of matches All matches will begin in the morning and will be 18-hole matches to determine the Champions. Scheduling of matches may be adjusted due to weather and field sizes.

BRACKETS: Boys 16-18 - Championship bracket of 32 and three brackets of 16

Flight sizes may be adjusted to accommodate entries

DIVISIONS:  All players must compete in the age division commensurate with their age as of the last day of the Championship. No players are allowed to play out of their age division.

SPECTATORS AND CADDIES: Spectators are always welcome at FSGA Championships. Spectators are allowed to ride and the cost of a spectator cart is $25 plus tax.  Players are not allowed to employ a caddie.  Click here for spectator policies.

CONDITIONS; SCHEDULES – The FSGA Championships Committee/on-site Rules Committee reserves the right to alter any of the conditions, provisions and/or schedules.  The decision of the Championships Committee/on-site Rules Committee in any matter will be final.

ACCOMMODATIONS:  Arrangements have been made at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort at the rate of $139 plus tax per night. Competitors can call (800) 241-3333 and must identify themselves as a Florida State Golf Association competitor for reservations.

CHAMPIONSHIP PACE OF PLAY: Click here to read the Championship Pace of Play Policy.

HARD CARD; LOCAL RULES AND CONDITIONS OF COMPETITIONS: Click here to read the Hard Card and additional Conditions of Competitions.

CHAMPIONSHIP POLICIES: Click here to read the withdrawal, dress code, caddie and spectator and other policies.

REGISTRATION TABLE: There will be a registration table set up in front of the pro shop. All contestants are requested to check in.

PRACTICE ROUND:  Practice rounds are available one week prior to the championship.  Practice rounds may be played after 12:00 PM on Friday - Sunday.  The price for your practice round is $25.00 + tax.  Please call (239) 594-2040 for Tiburon to arrange your practice round.  The proper place to practice your golf swing is on the driving range, hitting multiple shots on the course is unacceptable.

PAYMENT:  Tiburon Golf Club accepts cash and Visa/MasterCard for method of payment.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Ernesto Marin, from Miami, won the boys 16-18 age division at Bear Lakes Country Club.