FJT Cypress Creek Open (9-12)

Miles Russell  |  Angelina Pacheco  |  Niko Gordic-Ronderos

RUSKIN, Fla. – Miles Russell, Niko Gordic-Ronderos and Angelina Pacheco captured Florida Junior Tour victories in the final 9-12 event of the season at Cypress Creek Golf Club on Sunday. Russell earned the in the Boys 11-12 Division, while Pacheco was victorious in the Girls 11-12 Division. Gordic-Ronderos took the win in the Boys 9-10 Division.

This is the first FJT win for Pacheco and Gordic-Ronderos, while Russell picked up his fourth-career FJT victory.

Boys 11-12

Russell went wire-to-wire to earn his first FJT win of the year at 2-over 73. The Jacksonville Beach native began the weekend with a 1-over 73 on Saturday to take a share of the first-round lead.

He began the final round with a 2-over front nine, adding two birdies. Russell finished the day with two birdies and a bogey on the back nine to post a final-round 73 and secure the one-shot victory.

Wylie Inman finished second at 3-over 147, while Lion Ziao Liu took home third place at 4-over 148.

Girls 11-12

Pacheco survived a playoff to capture her first FJT win at 12-over 156. She sat three shots back of the first-round leader after an 8-over 80.

The Kissimmee native started the final round with a birdie on the first and made the turn at 1 over for the day. She followed that up with a 4-over back side to sit in a tie for first place with Wendy Wei. With a par on the first playoff hole, Pacheco secured the victory and Wei finished second.

Elyse Meerdink took third place at 15-over 159.

Boys 9-10

Gordic-Ronderos picked up the win in his first FJT appearance, finishing the tournament at 10-over 154. He took the first-round lead after a 3-over 75 on Saturday.

The Bradenton native began the final round with a 2-over front side. He finished the day with a 4-over back nine to post a final-round 79 and secure the four-shot victory.

David Cochran and Cooper Foegen finished tied for second at 14-over 158, while Jack Zejda finished fourth at 19-over 163.

Final Results

Divisions and Approximate Yardages

• Boys 9-10 Age Division - 5,000 yards (gross only)
• Girls 9-10 Age Division - 4,200 yards (gross only)
• Boys 11-12 Age Division - 5,500 yards (gross only)
• Girls 11-12 Age Division - 5,000 yards (gross only)

How Entries are Accepted

• Entries will be accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis.
• Late entries will be accepted if space is available ($10 late entry fee).
• If entries have reached capacity, additional players will be placed on an alternate's list.
• The alternate's list will be posted to the FJT website under "Tee Times & Player Information."
• Entries close approximately 2 1/2 weeks prior to the tournament.
• At the close of entries, if the 9-10 division (boys or girls) has 3 or less entrants, those players must choose one of the following options: 1) Play up into the 11-12 division   OR    2) Withdraw from the event and receive a full refund.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, December 5th

6:30 AM - 9:20 AM - Tournament Registration (near pro shop) 7:30 AM - 9:27 AM - Round one tee times off the 1st and 10th tees

Mandatory Meeting - 30 to 45 minutes prior to tee time, 15 minutes long (more information below)

Sunday, December 6th

7:30 AM - 9:27 AM - Final round tee times off the 1st and 10th tees

Mandatory Educational Meeting - Saturday

• Each golfer MUST attend a mandatory meeting with FSGA staff prior to their tee time on Saturday. 
• Topics to include: Etiquette, rules, pace-of-play, how to feel comfortable playing in events, care for the course, appreciation of club staff and volunteers.
• Meetings will generally take place near or on the practice putting green.
• Each player MUST attend the meeting associated with his/her tee time.
• Meetings will be approximately 15 to 20 minutes long. 
• Parents are encouraged to attend.

*If a players fails to make the meeting at their scheduled time, they will not be allowed to participate in the event.*

Five FJT Standards

Competing at beautiful clubs around the state is a privilege and it is important for all of our players and parents to place value on the following five duties:

• Say please and thank you to the club staff and our volunteers
• Rake bunkers
• Fix ball marks
• Step on/repair your divots
• Throw away your garbage! There should never be trash on the ground anywhere on the course (place trash in waste receptacles, golf carts or even your bag if no other place is available).

Showing Appreciation and Proper Manners - At all courses where juniors play, they should show appreciation to the members and staff. To all of our junior players, let's show the clubs that you are not only the most talented golfers in the country, but also the most respectful. A "thank you" to the club and taking care of the course are the best ways to make a positive impression on the club, fellow players, coaches and spectators.

How to Enter

Entries are submitted through the FSGA website. To enter, each player must create an FSGA account on this website (free to set-up), purchase a current Junior Membership ($40), and have an active Florida GHIN Handicap (included in membership if golfer does not already have one). To proceed, click the "Enter" button above once entries have opened.

Late Entry Fee: A late fee of $10 will be applied to entries submitted after the close of entries date. The entry fee and late fee will only be applied if the player gets accepted in to the tournament field.

Practice rounds are available one week prior to the tournament on a space-available basis. Tee times are only available after 12:00 noon the weekend prior.  The price for a practice round is $30.00 + tax. Please call (813) 634-8888 to arrange your practice round. The proper place to practice your golf swing is on the driving range, hitting multiple shots on the course, not filling divots, and not repairing ball marks are unacceptable and may cause removal from the tournament without a refund.

National Rankings

AJGA Performance Based Entry (PBE)
Boys 11-12	Girls 11-12
TBD	TBD

Florida Junior Tour Policies

• Tournament & Entry Policies
• Hard Card
• Pace of Play
• Code of Conduct
• Spectator Policy

Host Hotel

There is no host hotel.

Cypress Creek Golf Club
1011 Cypress Villages Boulevard
Ruskin, FL 33537
(813) 634-8888

Click here for directions.