VERO BEACH, Fla. (July 6, 2011) -- John Jonas, Austin Padova and Joey Petronio fired a three-under par 69 to share the lead by one stroke in the 57th Florida State Boys Junior Championship as Sam Horsfield shot a 65 to lead by two in the 13-15 age division at Quail Valley Golf Club and Bent Pine Golf Club in Vero Beach. The Championship continues through Friday, July 8.
John Jonas, of Jacksonville, Austin Padova, of Hudson, and Joey Petronio, of Orlando, fired rounds of three-under par 69 at Bent Pine Golf Club to lead the field heading into the second round of play. Jonas played a solid round of golf with four birdies and just one bogey. Padova, a two-time FJT Champion, turned at even par after nine holes and caught fire late, with three straight birdies to finish at three-under par. Petronio, a three time FJT Champion, finished with five birdies and two bogeys for his round of three-under par 69. All three players will be playing at Quail Valley Golf Club in the second round. The 2010 (13-15) Champion Jimmy Stanger, of Tampa, and Will Davenport, of Palm City, are currently are tied for fourth place, after their rounds of two-under par 70. The Defending Champion Hank Lebioda, of Winter Springs, is currently tied for 42nd after a first round four-over par 76.
In the 13-15 age division, Sam Horsfield, of Davenport, leads the field after shooting a first round 7-under par 65 at Quail Valley Golf Club. Horsfield’s impressive round included nine birdies, with six in a row from holes 9 through 14, and just two bogeys. Horsfield will take a two shot lead heading into the second round of play at Bent Pine Golf Club. Jorge Garcia, of Miami, sits two back from Horsfield after posting a five-under par 67 at Quail Valley Golf Club. Sean Smothers, of Pompano Beach, and Philip Knowles, of Bradenton, are currently tied for third place after carding rounds of two-under par 70.
Before reaching the Championship, more than 360 participants attempted to qualify at one of 6 sites across the state. In the Championship, participants will play eighteen holes each at Quail Valley Golf Club and Bent Pine Golf Club on Wednesday, July 6th and Thursday, July 7th. After thirty-six holes, the field will be cut to the low 40% of each field plus ties. The final eighteen holes will be played at Quail Valley Golf Club.
To enter, participants must be between the ages of 13-18 as of July 8 and not attending college. Also, the juniors must have a handicap index no higher than 17.4.
Spectators and media are welcome to watch the state’s best junior golfers compete at Quail Valley Golf Club and Bent Pine Golf Club.
View results for Florida Junior Amateur
ABOUT THE Florida Junior Amateur
54 holes of stroke play to crown the top junior
in the state. Non exempt players need to
qualify at sites across the state in 18 holes of
stroke play. Started in 1955, former Boys
Junior Champions include Gary Koch, Len
Mattiace, Josh McCumber, Jeremy Anderson
and Matt Kuchar. Male amateur golfers ages
13-18. Entrant must not reached their 19th
birthday and not attending college. All players
must walk and carry their own clubs.
View Complete Tournament Information