Palm Aire CC (16-18)

Knowles and Romeo Take Home Hardware

The Champions Course at Palm Aire Country Club, in Sarasota, was no match for the boys and girls in the 16-18 division with twenty-eight players carding under par scores. 

Phillip Knowles, this year's Amateur Match Play Champion, broke the 10-year-old Florida Junior Tour (FJT) record of lowest 36-hole score this weekend by two strokes, firing an impressive 14-under par 64-66--130. Bobby Gates Jr. set the record in 2004 at Grand Cypress Golf Club with a two round total of 12-under par 132. Along with breaking the 36-hole record, Knowles' Round One score of 8-under par 64 tied for second lowest round in FJT 16-18 records. 

Fourteen boys and five girls finished under par after Round One. Knowles, of Bradenton, carded a bogey free round, sinking birdie putts on holes 1, 2, 4, 8, along with holes 11 through 14. Knowles 8-under par 64 gave him a four shot lead over Spencer Shultz, also from Bradenton. In the girl's division, Terese Romeo, of Tampa, lead the field after Saturdays round of 5-under par 67. Romeo also made eight impressive birdies on holes 2,5,6,10,11,13,16 and 18.

Topping Saturday's fourteen under par rounds, seventeen players finished in the red during Sunday's Final Round. Knowles lapped the field winning by seven strokes, carding five birdies and an eagle on the par 5, 510 yard first hole. Andrew Potter, of Naples, finished second with a two round total of 70-67--137 while Colin Kresl, of Lakeland, finished third with a two round total of 69-70--139. 

In the girl's division Athena Yang, of Winter Haven, gave Romeo a run for her money, firing a 6-under par 66 to tie for the lead at 7-under par 137 and send the duo into a playoff. Similar to Knowles' second round, Yang carded five birdies and dunked her 122 yard approach shot on the par 4 13th for an eagle. Despite Yang's efforts, Romeo was victorious in the playoff, defeating Yang on the first hole, par 4 18th, by sinking her 6 foot par putt. Lantanna Stone finished third with a two round total of 69-73--142.

The FJT 16-18 division is back in action in two weeks at Banyan Golf Club of Palm Beach in West Palm Beach on September 27-28.

Click here for full results.

Entries Open:  Wednesday, July 23rd
Entry Deadline:  Wednesday, August 6th

16-18 Age Division (age calculated on the last day of the tournament)
$95 or $115 entry fee (GHIN vs non-GHIN price)
Membership is required
Tournament rounds are being played on the Champions Course

PRESENTED BY KEISER UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF GOLF

Maxing out at just over 7,000 yards, the Champions course at Palm Aire Country Club is ready to challenge the finest junior golfers in Florida. Located in Sarasota, Palm Aire CC is a short drive from the Gulf beaches, shops, and restaurants.

Click here to view the club's website. 

Format

• 36 holes of individual stroke play
• 84 total players (typically 66 boys and 18 girls)
• 16-18 age division (age calculated by the last day of the tournament)

Divisions and Approximate Yardages

• Boys 16-18 Age Division - 6,900 yards (gross only)
• Girls 16-18 Age Division - 6,000 yards (gross only)

How Entries are Accepted

• Players with an unused FJT exemption will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis (if submitted before the entry deadline).
• Players without an FJT exemption - all other entries are held until the entry closing date.  Shortly after the closing date, a computer-generated random draw is performed to determine which entries are accepted, and the order of the alternates. All players are notified of their status after the random draw is conducted,
• An alternates list will be posted to the FJT website under "Tee Times & Player Information".
• Entries submitted after the entry deadline will be added to the bottom of the alternates list or used to fill any openings in the field.

Click here for more details.

How to Enter

Entries must be submitted through the FSGA website. To enter, each player must have an account on this website (free to setup), and a current FJT Junior Membership ($40). Click "Enter" above in the Tournament Links box.

Entry Fee

The entry fee of $95 (for GHIN handicap members) or $115 (non-GHIN handicap members) includes tournament rounds, range balls prior to tournament rounds, crystal trophies for the top three finishers, and a tee gift. 

To receive the GHIN handicap price, the player, or one of the player's parents must have an active GHIN handicap at a club in Florida. The seven digit GHIN number must be included and active when the entry is submitted. Click on the Handicaps tab above in the main menu for more information.

Late Fee:  A late fee of $10 will be applied to entries received after the entry deadline. The entry fee and late fee will only be charged if the player gets accepted into the tournament field.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, September 13th

10:30 AM - 1:30 PM - Tournament Registration (near pro shop)
12:00 PM - 1:57 PM - Round one tee times off the 1st and 10th tees

Sunday, September 14th

8:00 AM - 9:57 AM - Final round tee times off the 1st and 10th tees
Approximately 3:00 PM - Awards presentation

Practice Rounds

Practice rounds are available one week prior to the tournament on a space-available basis. Times times are only available after 12:00 noon the weekend prior.  The price for a practice round is $30.00 + tax. Please call 941-355-9738 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.

AJGA Performance Based Entry (PBE)

Boys

• Winner receives 8 performance stars
• Top five finishers receive 4 performance stars

Girls

• Winner receives 8 performance stars
• Top three finishers receive 4 performance stars

National Rankings

• Ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard

Other Policies

• Walking - players must walk during tournament rounds
• Spectators & Carts - Spectators are allowed. Spectator carts are available first-come, first-served at $20 + tax per day, per cart Click here
• Caddies - Caddies are not allowed
• Range Finders (Electronic Measuring Devices) - are allowed (see Local Rules link below)
• Championship Pace of Play Policy - Click here
• Local Rules and Conditions of Competition - Click here
• Championship Policies - Click here to read the withdrawal, dress code, and other policies.
• Procedures for Alternates - Click here for information on how alternates may gain entry into this tournament.
• Conditions/ Schedule - 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.

Hotel & Accommodations

A host hotel has not been arranged at this time. There are several hotels in the Sarasota area. Use the "Hotels" link above in the Tournament Links box or search on the internet. Please note the cancellation policies before making any reservations.

Directions

Palm Aire Country Club
5601 Country Club Way
Sarasota, FL 34243
Click for Map