FCWT Grayhawk Challenge: Final results
FCWT photo
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Dec. 21, 2008) -- Justin Knauber fired a final-round of 4-under-par 68 to grab a one-stroke victory at the Future Collegians World Tour's Grayhawk Raptor Challenge, held at the Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale.
Alberto Sanchez of Nogales, AZ (2012) posted the only subpar round on Saturday and led by one heading into the final round. Sanchez, a first year FCWT player, finished tied for seventh at Tucson last month. He carded one of 3 eagles in this division during the opening round on the 18th hole (his 9th of the day). Also carding an eagle were Brent Baylor of Phoenix, AZ (2009) and Ethan Fine of Albuquerque, NM (2009).
Knauber, a first year FCWT player, finished tied for 10th at the Classic Club Challenge in September. The 6' 3" senior put together an incredible final round on Sunday - playing the front nine at 3-under-par, then continuing to roll with birdies on 11 and 12, then put together a string of pars before making his only bogey of the day on 18.
Despite that blemish Knauber still finished one shot ahead of overnight leader Sanchez, who finished with an even par 72.
It was his second Top 10 of the season for the 14-year-old Mike Basco and Chun Ji Kim each posted a final round of 73 and finshed 3rd and tied for 4th respectively. Evan Markley's final round of 74 put him T-4 as well. Patrick Beyhan of Albuquerque, NM (2010) put an even par round on the board on Sunday to finish in 6th place. Jimmy Kozikowski of Mesa, AZ (2009) also finished with an even par to finish in 7th, his 3rd top 10 of the season. Besides Knauber, the only other subpar round on Sunday was posted by Joshua Granger of Monrovia, CA (2009) who moved up to T-11.
In the Boys 13-15 division, 13-year-old Peter Kyo Won Koo of Chandler, AZ (2014) took the First Round lead on Saturday and never looked back. Koo, who has been very consistent in his first year on the tour, with two fourth place finishes and another sixth place spot opened with a round of even par 72 - his lowest round of the season so far.
He began Sunday's round with a six-shot advantage then tied for low round honors on Sunday (75) to earn the title.
Sam Schweitzer of Greenwood Village, CO (2011) who also carded a final round of 75, finished in 2nd place, giving him his second Top 3 of the season. Brett Draxler of Plymouth, MN (2011) carded the third best round of the day and moved from 5th place to 3rd place. Nolan Cull of Lake Tapps, WA (2013) carded the only eagle in this division on the par 5, 7th hole on Saturday.
In the Boys 11-12 division, Tyler Moore of Escondido, CA (2015) had three wins already this season when he started the Grayhawk event, but took the lead on Saturday in search a fourth. Moore opened with a round of 77 and had a four-shot advantage over last weekend's winner, Gavin deFisser of Gilbert, AZ (2015), who also had three wins at the start of this event. This time, however, Moore's competition came from a new face, Twelve-year-old Tiger Lee of Queensland, AUSTRALIA (2014), who decided to play the FCWT Grayhawk event while visiting the U.S. on holiday.
On Sunday, Lee demonstrated that they know how to play a little golf "down under" when he fired a 2-under-par 70 (the only subpar round in this division) and forced Moore into a playoff. While Tyler won on the 1st playoff hole (#1) with a par, we may see different results when these two play again at PGA West in two weeks.
David Snyder of Austin, TX (2016) who also started the day tied for 3rd with Tiger, finished with a 77 and sole possession of 3rd place. Gavin deFisser was just one stroke back of Snyder and in 4th place.
In the girls' flight, Paige Spiranac fired a 5-under-par 67 and earned her 4th win of the season.