Tarpon Springs, FL — The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour hosted the Tampa Bay Junior Shootout at Crescent Oaks Country Club, where junior golfers from across the U.S. and around the world battled for top honors.
In the Boys 16–18 division, Wyatt Smith (Belleair, FL) held off the field to win at even-par 144. In Boys 12–13, Dylan Tortoretti (Tampa, FL) secured victory with a steady 161 (+17). On the girls’ side, Julia Gelma Larbaga (Malaga, Spain) shined with a final-round 70 to capture the Girls 14–18 title at 145 (+1), while Madeline Raun (Seminole, FL) claimed the Girls U13 division with a two-day total of 207 (+63).
The Shootout highlighted both local standouts and international talent, continuing the HJGT’s mission to showcase the next generation of champions.
Tarpon Springs, FL — The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour brought fierce competition to Crescent Oaks Country Club this weekend, and it was Wyatt Smith of Belleair, FL, who rose to the challenge. Smith opened with a stellar 69 on Saturday, then navigated Sunday’s pressure with a steady 75 to finish at even-par 144, claiming the Boys 16–18 division title at the Tampa Bay Junior Shootout.
Just one shot back, Sammy Lehotsky of Cashiers, NC made a late charge with one of the tournament’s best rounds, a 1-under 71, to secure second place at 145. Tampa’s own Todd Blackwood followed closely in third at 147, while Carson Whitehead of Belleair claimed fourth at 148.
The highlight of the final round came from Jai Mansell, also of Belleair, who rebounded from a tough opening 82 with a blistering 69 on Sunday — the lowest score of the day — to finish sixth at 151. His comeback performance underscored the demanding nature of Crescent Oaks, where momentum could shift in a single stretch of holes.
Tommy Chang of Canada rounded out the top five at 150, while strong showings from Germany, Italy, Mexico, and the Philippines highlighted the Shootout’s international depth.
With narrow margins separating the leaders, every shot counted in Tarpon Springs. In the end, Smith’s combination of early brilliance and late composure proved enough to secure victory and add his name to the growing list of champions on the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour.
Tarpon Springs, FL — The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour brought the Tampa Bay Junior Shootout to Crescent Oaks Country Club this past weekend, and the Boys 14–15 division produced a gritty battle from start to finish.
In the end, it was Aaron Che of Richmond, British Columbia, Canada who rose above the field. After an opening-round 81, Che delivered a composed 76 on Sunday — the lowest round in his division — to post a two-day total of 157 (+13) and claim the championship.
Lucas Starr of Orlando, FL finished runner-up at 160 after rounds of 77 and 83, while Charles Ballard of Palm Coast, FL followed closely behind in third with 161. The international depth of the field was on full display, with Salem Al Abdallat of Amman, Jordan (162) and fellow Jordanian Mohammed Alrawashdeh (163) rounding out the top five.
Other notable finishes included Yoobeom Kim of the Republic of Korea in sixth, and Pablo Martinez of Mexico tying for seventh. Players from across the globe — including Australia, Canada, Jordan, Mexico, and South Korea — converged in Tarpon Springs, underscoring the Shootout’s reputation as a true international stage for junior golf.
Che’s closing round provided the spark that separated him from the pack, securing a hard-earned victory in one of the most competitive divisions of the weekend.
Tarpon Springs, FL — The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour’s Tampa Bay Junior Shootout at Crescent Oaks Country Club showcased rising talent in the Boys 12–13 division, where Dylan Tortoretti of Tampa, FL emerged as champion. Tortoretti followed up an opening 82 with a composed 79 on Sunday, finishing at 161 (+17) to secure a wire-to-wire victory.
Connor Danzig of Odessa, FL battled hard with a final-round 80, closing at 168 (+24) to claim runner-up honors. Just behind him, Arthur Peraud of Tampa, FL finished third at 171 (+27), while Zain Sadiq of Sanford, FL rounded out the top four at 172 (+28).
The division was marked by grit and determination as the young competitors faced the challenging Crescent Oaks layout. Tortoretti’s steady play separated him from the field, giving him a well-earned title on his home turf.
Tarpon Springs, FL — The Girls 14–18 division at the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour’s Tampa Bay Junior Shootout ended in style, as Julia Gelma Larbaga of Malaga, Spain stormed to victory with a brilliant final-round 70. Her two-under performance on Sunday was the low round of the tournament, lifting her to a 145 (+1) total and the top of the leaderboard.
Mattea Issa of Jamaica stayed in the hunt after an opening 72 but settled for second at 149 (+5). Just behind, Sophia Bullard of Chantilly, VA finished third with rounds of 75–76 for a 151 (+7). GibbieKay Cain of Ooltewah, TN rounded out the top four at 155 (+11).
The depth of talent extended throughout the leaderboard, with Bela Dodd (WI) and Jimin Nam (CA) tying for fifth, and strong international representation from Italy, Bolivia, China, Germany, and Mexico adding to the global feel of the event.
Crescent Oaks Country Club proved to be a true test across both days, but it was Larbaga’s steady play and decisive finish that set her apart, making her the latest international champion to shine on the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour stage.
Tarpon Springs, FL — The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour’s Tampa Bay Junior Shootout crowned its Girls U13 champion this weekend, as Madeline Raun of Seminole, FL battled through the challenging Crescent Oaks layout to secure the victory.
Raun posted rounds of 107 and 100 for a two-day total of 207 (+63), claiming the top spot in her division. Her steady improvement from round one to round two highlighted the resilience needed to conquer one of Tarpon Springs’ toughest courses.
With her win, Raun adds her name to the list of champions at the Shootout and takes home valuable experience that will fuel her continued development on the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour.