FJT at Stone Creek GC (16-18)

Penny & Yu Defeat Strong Field 

Ocala's Stone Creek Golf Club attracted an impressive field this weekend, February 27-28, with 27 past Florida Junior Tour Champions teeing it up. Sunshine and temperatures in the mid 60s along with open fairways and fantastic course conditions resulted in low numbers and intense competition in both divisions.

After the completion of round one, 16 red scores were up on the leaderboard, including Macy Somoskey's tournament low 68. Somoskey's four under-par score not only marked her first under-par tournament round but also her first round in a Florida Junior Tour 16-18 event. In the girls' division, Mimi Chen, Andie Shukow, Ariel Yu and Alyssa Lamoureux all trailed behind with one over-par 73. Calvin Sierota, of Melbourne, stood alone in first place by one stroke in the boys' division. Michael Mattiace, of Jacksonville, posted a six under-par 66 to hold second place while Kaleb Johnson and Alberto Martinez recorded 68s to tie for third going into the final round.

Despite a chill in the early morning, the beautiful weather and course conditions continued during Sunday's final round leading to 15 more scores in the red. Leaders in the girls' division shifted with Ariel Yu's consistent play. Yu, a Bradenton resident, carded a final round of even par 72 to capture the title and her fourth Florida Junior Tour victory in the past two years. One shot back, Macy Somoskey, Mimi Chen and Athena Yang finished tied for second place with a tournament total 146.

The tough competition in the boys' division only continued into the final round with a four-way tie for first place at 8 under-par 136. Michael Mattiace, Brandon Mancheno, Kaleb Johnson and Jacob Penny made their way to the par 5 eleventh hole to begin the playoff. Off the tee Johnson found the out of bounds but was still able to find the green with a chance at par while Mattiace, Mancheno and Penny all had an opportunity to sink their birdie putts. Of the three players on the green, Jacob Penny, of Valrico, was the only one to drain his putt, ending the playoff and capturing the title and his first Florida Junior Tour victory. 

The Florida Junior Tour 16-18 division will head to Amelia Island's Amelia National Golf Club next weekend while the 13-15 division will tee it up at Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club in Tampa.

Full Results

16-18 Age Division
$95 or $115 entry fee (GHIN vs non-GHIN price)
Membership is required

Stone Creek GC is a fairly new golf course (opened in 2008) and this is it's first year on the FJT schedule. Stone Creek is made of Bermuda fairways and greens and has some unique golf course architecture. This course is sure to challenge which will provide for an exciting weekend.

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 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, February 27th 

9:30 AM - 12:30 PM - Tournament Registration (near pro shop)
11:00 AM - 12:57 PM - Round one tee times off the 1st and 10th tees

Sunday, February 28th

7:30 AM - 9:27 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 $25.00 + tax. Please call 352-854-1272 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 $25 + 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

Fairfield Inn Marriott
4101 SW 38th Court
Ocala, FL 34474
$119 per room, per night, plus tax

Must book your reservation by February 16th, 2016. 
Click here to book online, or call 352.861.8400 referencing the FSGA Room Block to take advantage of the rate.

Directions

9676 S W 62nd Loop
Ocala, FL 34481
(352) 854-1272
Click for Map