Santa Lucia River Club (13-15)

Hole-In-One Propels Liu to First Title

The 13-15 age division ventured to Port Saint Lucie and played the Santa Lucia River Club for the last 13-15 age division event before the Tour Championship.

The girls division played the par 72 course at 5,632 yards and encountered windy conditions both days. In the first round Ruixin Lin, of Orlando, took a two shot lead with a 72. Annie Kim, of Winter Garden, and Valeria Sofia Pacheco, of Hallendale Beach,  trailed by two strokes with a 74. The 2013 state junior champion, Kendall Griffin, shot a 79 and headed in the final round seven strokes back.

In the final round the girls found more difficult conditions as the wind increased from round one. Kendall Griffin, of Sebring, had one birdie and three bogies to shot a 75 and move up into third place.  Annie Kim played very consistent and followed her 74 with a 75 by making three birdies in the final round. Kim shot 74-75 to finish in second place.

Liu held a slight lead when she reached the par three 17th hole (her 8th of the day) which was playing 149 yards and dead into the gusty wind. Liu hit a solid shot right on line and amazingly found the hole for a hole-in-one and vaulted her into a larger lead. Later, a birdie on the 8th hole (her 17th) sealed up the victory. Liu shot 72-74--146 for a two shot win and her first FJT title.

Tanvir Kahlon, of Winter Garden, took the first round lead in the boys division with an opening 70 (-2). Kahlon led a trio of players at 72 and numerous players who sub-75 scores.

In the final round, Sachin Kumar, of Trinidad & Tobago, made four birdies to shoot 74-74--148 and finish in third place. Alberto Martinez, of Weston, shot a 75 in the first round and posted a 71 in the final round. Martinez posted the two over par total of 146 while the leaders still had a few holes remaining and he had to wait and watch the scoreboard.

The final group of the day consisted of Colin Kresl (72), Eduardo Blochtein (72) and the leader Kahlon. Kahlon struggled to hold onto the lead and finished with rounds of 70-82--152 to finish in 4th place. Blochtein, of Delray Beach, also struggled and fell to a 16th place finish. Kresl, of Lakeland, shot a 74 and found himself in a tie with Martinez and knew there was more golf to play.

Martinez and Kresl headed out for a sudden death playoff. The playoff started on the par 5 10th, Martinez was on in three shots and two putted for par. Kresl hit his second shot into the lateral water hazard, but was able to get up and down to save par. The duo went on to the par 4 11th. Both players found the green in regulation, Martinez was able to two putt from the opposite side of the green for a par as Kresl three putted for a bogey giving the title to Martinez. This is Martinez's first FJT title.

Full Results

Photos

Entries Open:  Wednesday, September 25th
Entry Deadline: Wednesday, October 9th

Santa Lucia River Club at Ballantrae, a private club offering challenging golf with spectacular views of the St. Lucie River is a truly rewarding experience. Winding its way among the wetlands and pine uplands that skirt the St. Lucie River just north of Stuart, The River Club golf course is the striking centerpiece of a breaking 402 acre sanctuary.

Click here to visit the club's website

Age Division

This tournament is for the 13-15 age division. Ages are calculated by the last day of the event.

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 players' parents must have an active GHIN handicap at a club in Florida. The seven digit GHIN number must be submitted with the entry.

Late Fee:  A late fee of $10 will applied to all 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. (effective 1/1/13)

Schedule of Play

• Saturday, November 16th:  7:30 AM - 9:27 AM off the 1st and 10th tees
• Sunday, November 17th:  7:30 AM - 9:27 AM off the 1st and 10th tees

Where to Stay

The FSGA has not arranged a host hotel for this event. There are many hotels in the area, just search on the internet. Please note any cancellation policies prior to making reservations.

Practice Round

Players can set-up a practice round at a special discounted rate of $30 if walking, plus tax which includes a cart by calling 772-337-5315. Practice rounds are available one week prior to the tournament and after 12:00 PM the weekend before. Times are available on a space available basis.

During practice rounds, players are not allowed to play multiple shots off tees or into greens. The playing of multiple shots or slow play may result in the player's removal from the course without a refund.

Walking and Pull/Push Carts

Players must walk and carry their clubs during the competition rounds (pull/push carts are permitted). Caddies are not permitted.

Tees To Play

Tees are not selected until the tournament staff arrives on site. Tournament set-up may change, including yardages, to offset inclement weather or other course conditions (i.e. wet course conditions). Typical yardages are below:

• Boys 13-15 will play approximately 6,700 yards
• Girls 13-15 will play approximately 5,800 yards

National Rankings

This event is ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard.

AJGA - PBE (Performance Based Entrance)

Boys

• Winner receives 2 performance stars

Girls

• Winner receives 2 performance stars

Spectator Carts

Spectators will be authorized to rent carts, but must follow the Spectator policies. Spectator carts will cost $25 a day, plus tax. Spectator carts may be limited, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Eligibility

Male or female amateur golfers that are members of the FJT may apply for entry. Entries are subject to rejection at any time, including during the event. The reason for rejection may include unbecoming behavior. Please see the Code of Conduct for further details.

Application Procedure

• Tournament applications must be submitted through the website with valid payment. Telephone and fax requests will not be accepted.
• Applicants must have a current FSGA/FJT membership.
• Entries must be received by of the closing date. Late entries are allowed and will be accepted into the tournament field only on a space available basis.
• Players should read the Tournament Policies and Pace of Play policy.
• Players will receive an e-mail that their entry has been received and a second e-mail will be sent if the player is accepted into the field. As a player is not automatically confirmed into the tournament, travel arrangements should not be made until the second confirmation e-mail is received. Review Tournament Policies for further details.

Field Determination Summary

• Players with an unused FJT exemption will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
• 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".

Click here for further details.

Registration

Registration will be available prior to the first round. ALL players are expected to register. General tournament information will be distributed at registration.

Tee Times & Pairings

First round tee times and pairings will be available on the website approximately five weeks prior to the tournament. After the completion of the first round, all competitors will be repaired by score, within their age group, for their next round. Final round pairings will be available approximately one-hour after the final score has been posted. Pairings will be available on the website, at the club, and will be sent via text message. It is the player's responsibility to be at his/her respective starting tee at least 10 minutes prior to teeing off. We recommend that you always see your tee time in black and white (in print), and if you still have questions, please contact an FSGA Official at the host facility.

Rules

USGA Rules of Golf will govern play. Review the FSGA Hard Card and Pace of Play Policy. The Notice to Players (local rules and hole locations) will be distributed on the starting tee.

Range Finders - Electronic distance measuring devices are allowed. (effective December 1st, 2012)

Music - Phones and other devices that play music should not be used at the tournament site.  Listening to music during a competitive round will generally result in disqualification under the Rules of Golf.  This is true for all types of competitions - not just FJT (new Rule in 2012).

Pace of Play

The FJT uses a checkpoint pace of play policy that provides no verbal warnings throughout the round. Each group is responsible for playing under the allotted time or finishing each checkpoint hole within 15 minutes of the group ahead of them.

Pace of play will be strictly enforced with anticipated rounds to be less than 4 hours and 45 minutes. We strongly recommend that all players and parents read and understand the Pace of Play Policy.