Florida Junior Tour (FJT)
TAMPA, Fla. - Travis Ralph won the boys 13-15 age division of the final Florida Junior Tour (FJT) event of the season as Evan Jensen captured the girls title at the Legacy Golf Club in Bradenton on May 21-22.
Travis Ralph, 14, from Longboat Key, edged out Julian Suri by one stroke to secure the victory. In the final round, Suri, 14, of St. Augustine, and Ralph were tied going into 17 where Suri made par and Ralph made birdie to take the lead. Ralph fired a 68-72 for a 4-under par 140 while Suri posted a 68-73—141. This is Ralph’s best finish in an FJT event. Last month, he placed fifth at the Lemon Bay tournament. Suri was also seeking his first title at Legacy after four top five finishes. Christopher Carlin, 15, of Pembroke Pines, recorded a 74 in the first round and then posted the low round of the final round, 69, to jump into third place. Carlin most recently won the Lemon Bay event and Disney in November. The boys division played from approximately 6500 yards.
Evan Jensen, 15, from Belleair, earned her first FJT victory shooting an even par 144 for the tournament. Jensen shot 70-74 to secure the title by one stroke over Nathada Huachai. Jensen’s first round score of 70 tied the lowest 18-hole score for the girls 13-15 age division while her two-round total of 144 set the 36-hole scoring record. Huachai, 15, of Bradenton, took second place honors in her first FJT event shooting 72-73—145. Maria Ronderos, 14, of Bradenton, had her best finish in an FJT event at Legacy. Ronderos logged a 72-76—148 for third place. The girls played from approximately 5400 yards.
Conducted by the Florida State Golf Association, The Florida Junior Tour (FJT) is a junior golf tour offering highly competitive and affordable competitions for juniors in Florida. Since the response was so great to the FJT’s first season, the 2004-2005 FJT season consists of 13 events for the state’s top junior golfers. Beginning September and running through May, the FJT schedule will play at some of the state’s top courses including The Club at TwinEagles and Legacy Golf Club. The FJT’s focus is on quality, affordability and integrity. Tournaments consist of 36 holes conducted over 2 days, typically weekends, with an entry fee of $95. Scholarship entry is available to junior golfers unable to afford the entry fee.
Working closely with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), FJT top competitors will receive exemptions and performance points towards AJGA events. The FJT is the only Florida tour to participate in the AJGA’s Performance Based Process. In addition, all FJT events will be ranked by the Junior Golf Scoreboard, which helps junior golfers market themselves without having to travel the country. The FJT will maintain a points list to assist in determining Junior Player-of-the-Year and invitations to other tournaments.