Tour Championship

Champions Crowned at Tour Championship

This weekend marked the second FJT Tour Championship where the top junior players in the state battled at TPC Sawgrass.  Saturday's Round on the challenging Dye's Valley Course, home of the Web.com Tour Finals, and Sunday over the The PLAYERS Stadium Course, home each May to the PGA Tour's PLAYERS Championship and famous Par 3 Island Green 17th!  Both courses were in excellent condition making for close competition in every division.

In the boys 16-18 division John Coultas, of Valrico, lead after round one firing a four-under par 68, carding six birdies on holes 3,7,8,13,17 and 18. Sunday Mornings final pairing of Coultas, Henry Westmoreland, of Wacissa and Kevin Slayden, of Ponte Vedra would see both Westmoreland & Coultas move backwards going out in (+4) 40, while Slayden would use birdies on 3 & 7 to move to -1 for the day and -3 for the Championship and a lead at the turn. Timmy Hanzelko, of Lake Mary would come in, shortly after the final pairing made the turn and post (-3) 69, low round of the day and (+1) 145 for the Championship.  Greyson Porter, of Clearwater, up ahead would make some noise, with an Eagle on the Par 5 16th to move to -2 for the Championship and take the lead by 1 stroke when Slayden bogeyed 11 & 14.  While Porter made a double-bogey on the Par 3 17th, Slayden would again drop a shot on 16 to have the players tied at Even Par.  On 18, Porter would again falter with bogey and join Anthony Gabriele, of West Palm Beach (73-72--145) and Hanzelko in the Clubhouse at +1, while behind him, Slayden would stumble as well with a 3-putt bogey on the 17th to fall back to +1.  Slayden would come to 18 needing to make Par to force a 4-way play-off or birdie for the win.  After Slayden securing par on 18, Anthony Gabriele, Timmy Hanzelko, Greyson Porter and Kevin Salyden, Jr. made their way to the par 5 16th for a playoff. All four players found the green in regulation and had chances for birdie. Gabriele and Slayden missed their putts first, then Porter, who eagled the hole during his final round, drained his birdie putt. Hanzelko was last to putt, however he just missed his attempt to force the playoff onto the 17th. Porter finished with a two day total of 72-73-145.

In the girls 16-18 division Courtney Zeng, of Orlando, held the lead after round one with a three-over par 75 while Luiza Altmann, of Winter Garden, trailed behind by one. On Sunday the course was playing more difficult with light rain all morning.  Both girls would turn at 7 over par for the Championship.  Altmann took a brief lead with a birdie on the par-4 10th.  After 17, both girls stood on the 18th tee at +10 for the Championship and tied for the lead.  Zeng would struggle and card a double-bogey, while Altmann's bogey was good enough to take the trophy finishing with a two day total of 76-79-155. Zeng, one stroke behind, taking second place honors, while Emma Albrecht, of Ormond Beach took 3rd.

In the boys 13-15 division Matthew Ruel, of Oldsmar, and Manuel Girona, of Windermere, were tied for the lead each firing two-under par 70. After two consistent rounds, Andrew Kozan, of Palm Beach Gardens, won the boys 13-15 division with a four-over par 75-73-148, besting Zong Fon Li, of Bradenton by one stroke, and Matthew Ruel by two, finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Kelsey Zeng, of Orlando, held the lead after round one and with steady play on the long and difficult PLAYERS Stadium Course on Sunday went on to capture the girls 13-15 title carding a two day total of 76-84-160, holding off Emily Uhland, of Jacksonville by one stroke.  Morgan Baxendale, of Windermere would take 3rd place honors.

The highlight of the tournament was Andrew Alligood, of Saint Johns, carding a hole in one on the famous par 3 17th. Alligood finished tied for 7th posting a 76-72-148.

This event concludes the 2013 Florida Junior Tour Season. We want to thank everyone for another great year, and can't wait to see everyone out in the new year.  2014 will kick off at Belleair Country Club in Clearwater on January 4-5, 2014.  Belleair is always a great test of golf, with stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico and also can serve as a warm up to many boys as it will play host the the FSGA Boys' Junior Championship later in 2014!

Click here to view hole-by-hole scoring and course statistics.

Entries Open:  Wednesday, October 23rd
Entry Deadline: Wednesday, November 13th

FJT exemptions are not used in determining the field. See the field determination policy below.

Home of THE PLAYERS Championship, birthplace of the TPC (Tournament Players Club) Network, and backdrop to the PGA TOUR headquarters, the TPC Sawgrass golf course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., is perhaps the world’s most famous golf course.  THE PLAYERS Stadium Course sports one of the most recognizable and challenging holes on the PGA Tour. The notorious par-3, 17th hole, features an island green that makes or breaks many a PGA TOUR pro’s round.

Click here to visit the club's website.

Entry Fee

The entry fee of $495 includes:

• 2 night stay at the Sawgrass Marriott - $250+ value
• Tournament rounds on Dye's Valley and THE PLAYERS Stadium
• Pair of FootJoy shoes - $150-$200 value
• FJT tee gift

Players that reside in Duval, Clay, St. Johns, or Nassau counties can chose to be exempt from the hotel cost. On the entry form, a question will be asked if the player lives in one of the counties listed above, and if they choose not to stay at the hotel their entry fee will be reduced by $250 before it is charged internally. Since room nights at the Marriott Sawgrass are required to gain access to the Stadium courses, only players that live in the counties listed will be exempt from staying at the hotel.

Field Determination Summary

The field is determined in the following method:

1.  FJT winners since January 1, 2013. A spot will be reserved for the boy and girl winners of the events at Santa Lucia at Juliette Falls. If the winners decline the reserved spot then the next alternates will be accepted.

2.  All other entries are held until Wednesday, November 13th. Players are then accepted based off their standing on the FJT points lists. Approximately 67 boys and 21 girls will be accepted into the field (~42 in boys 16-18 division, 27 in the boys 13-15 division, 12 in the girls 16-18 division, and 9 in the girls 13-15 division).

3.  An alternates list will be posted to the FJT website under "Tee Times & Player Information".

Click here for further details.

The FSGA reserves the right to modify the selection process and field sizes. 

Schedule of Play

• Saturday, December 14th:  8:00 AM - 9:57 AM off the 1st and 10th tees (Dye's Valley Course)
• Sunday, December 15th:  8:00 AM - 9:57 AM off the 1st and 10th tees (THE PLAYERS Stadium Course)

  

Practice Rounds

Dye's Valley Course - Players can set-up a practice round at a special discounted rate of $65 on Dye's Valley Course plus tax which includes a cart.Practice rounds are available 12/7 to 12/13. Reservations can be made 14 days prior of the requested date by calling 904-273-3255.

A parent may play along for $109 on Dye's Valley Course

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

THE PLAYERS Stadium - Due new restrictions put in effect by the PGA Tour to ensure the best possible conditions for the THE PLAYERS Championship, practice rounds are not available on the PLAYERS Stadium. Players are allowed to walk the course to study sight lines, take measurements and get familiar with the course on Thursday (12/12) and Friday (12/13) in the afternoon. Players need to make arrangements with the golf shop to walk THE PLAYERS Stadium. There is no fee to walk the course, but players must stay off the putting greens and avoid resort play.

Please click here (coming soon) to read more about practice rounds.

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 16-18 will play approximately 6,800 yards
• Girls 16-18 and Girls 13-15 will play approximately 5,800 yards
• Boys 13-15 will play approximately 6,600 yards

The Girls 13-15 & 16-18 divisions will play the same set of tees and the results will be combined for AJGA and ranking websites. The divisions will stay seperate for FJT purposes (FJT points, exemptions, and awards).

National Rankings

This event is ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard and GolfWeek.

AJGA - PBE (Performance Based Entrance)

Boys 16-18

• Champion - 8 Performance Stars
• Top 5 - 4 Performance Stars
• Top 10 - 1 Performance Star

Boys 13-15

• Champion - 2 Performance Stars
• Top 5 - 1 Performance Star

Girls 13-18

• Champion - 8 Performance Stars
• Top 3 - 2 Performance Star

The Girls 13-15 & 16-18 divisions will play the same set of tees and the results will be combined for AJGA and ranking websites. The divisions will stay seperate for FJT purposes (FJT points, exemptions, and awards).

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.
• 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.

Registration

Registration will be available prior to the first round. ALL players are expected to register. General tournament information, Footjoy shoes, and other tee gifts will be distributed at registration.

Tee Times & Pairings

First round tee times and pairings will be available on the website. 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.

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.