FJT at Old Corkscrew GC (16-18)

The Florida Junior Tour put another 16-18 division event in the books on May 1st.  Players competed at one of the toughest tests of golf in the state of Florida, Old Corkscrew Golf Club in Estero, Florida. 

Old Corkscrew provides one of the biggest challenges to competitors each time the FJT travels there, and this time around was no different. Round one saw scores average just over 83 strokes per round.  Jacob Penny paced the field on Saturday with a one over par, 73, placing him a in a good spot to earn his second straight victory on the tour.  Within two shots of Penny were Chris Nido, David Morgan and Cole Castro. Eleven year old, Alexa Pano and fourteen year old, Katie You tied the round one lead in the girls' division after opening 76s. Lurking behind the two leaders were a group of five girls within three shots.  

Sunday saw the average score shrink by just under a stroke to 82.7, but the course still provided everyone a substantial challenge. The girls division saw its youngest competitor take her opening lead to the top after an obscene one under par, 71.  Pano birdied holes 11, 15, 16 and 17 on the back nine alone, as she went out in 34.  A paltry two birdies on her closing nine lead to a 37 giving her the only red score of the weekend.  Alexa has won twice in the 13-15 division and now has earned her first win in the 16-18 division.  First round co-leader Katie You closed with a 77, the second best score of the day for the girls division, placing her in solo second.  

The penultimate group of the boys division saw some fireworks on the front nine as Chris Nido opened with a 33, getting him back to even par for the tournament.  Jacob Penny, also in the final group went out with a 38, leaving him three shots behind Nido at the turn.  A triple bogey for Nido on number 10 brought the two back to a tie, where they would stay for the duration.  The two went out to the 18th hole for a playoff and both were in prime position as both drives found the fairway.  Both would go on to miss the green, Nido long and right and Penny left into the lateral water hazard. Nido hit a beautiful chip from a downhill lie to 5 feet. Penny just missed his chip-in par attempt, leaving Nido a putt for the win, which he drilled right in the heart for his first FJT title.  

Thank you to everyone at Old Corkscrew Golf Club for welcoming us with open arms and providing a stern test of golf and congratulations to our winners, Alexa Pano and Chris Nido.  

Full Results | Course Statistics Rd. 1 | Course Statistics Rd. 2 | FJT Schedule

16-18 Age Division (age calculated on the last day of the tournament)
$95 or $115 entry fee (GHIN vs non-GHIN price)

A Jack Nicklaus signature design, Old Corkscrew Golf Club has hosted many FJT events in the past seven years and the course is always one of the best conditioned courses the players see all year. Old Corkscrew is a natural design and uses the beautiful surrounding terrain to challenge golfers of all skill levels. Oak, Pine, and Cypress trees will follow you as you make your way around this Southeast Florida track.

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