Justice & Baxendale Prevail at Timacuan!
The last Florida Junior Tour event of 2015 experienced constant rain and windy conditions in Lake Mary during round one, making the course play difficult. Through spurts of heavy rain and wind, two players in the Boys’ 16-18 division posted red numbers. Sorrento resident, Daniel Core carded an impressive four under-par, 68, to take the early lead. Core started his round on the back-nine and birdied holes 15 and 16 for a 35, which he followed up with birdies on holes 1, 2, 5, and 7 for a final nine-hole score of 33. Three-strokes behind in second place was the second under-par score, one under-par 71, shot by Zack Justice of Orlando. Linus Samuelsson and Patrick Poate, followed the leaders in third place after a round one even-par score. 
In the Girls’ 16-18 division, Morgan Baxendale and Xin (Cindy) Kou battled through the wet and windy conditions to finish tied for first place after round one. Both girls reside in Windermere and posted an even-par score on Saturday. Katie You, who recently earned a win at Bent Pine Golf Club, sat alone in third place with a first round one over-par, 73. There would be a close race at the top during round two for the win and a spot in the 2015 Tour Championship.
Round two brought sunny skies and a light breeze making conditions less difficult. Daniel experienced a tough day and struggled to a final round 78, tournament total 146, and a drop to second place. Zack prevailed and came out on top finishing with a 74 in the final round after consistent nine-hole scores of 37-37. This is Zack’s first FJT win (71-74—145), which he has been chasing with many top finishes in the past. Justice summed up his final round, “I just played better today and battled it out harder than anyone else. It was not easy out there.” Tommy Cao, of Lake Mary 
finished in third place with rounds of 73-75—148 and Linus followed in fifth place with a tournament total 149.
Morgan Baxendale held on to finish solo in first place after rounds of 38-37 for a final round 75. She battled to a two-stroke win with a tournament total 147. Amy Zhang came from behind with a second round 72 to tie Xin (Cindy) Kou for second place with a tournament total 149. Kou faltered in the final round to a five over-par 77. Katie You moved to fourth place after a second round 78 and tournament total 151.
Baxendale and Justice will be playing again next weekend in the Tour Championship after earning a spot due to their win in Lake Mary. This
will be Zack’s first appearance at the Tour Championship due to his one-stroke victory. Morgan states, “I haven’t played in the Tour Championship in two or three years so it’s good to go into it fresh off of a win.” The Tour Championship will be held at Walt Disney World Golf in Lake Buena Vista, December 12-13 to end another fantastic year on the Florida Junior Tour!
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