Jones Plays Consistent Golf through Two Day College Prep Series Event
Stone Plays Up a Division and Steals the Shot
Tampa, FL (April 7, 2013) – The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour traveled to the University of South Florida this weekend to hold the College Prep Series at USF. We were blessed with two of the best days for golf that we have had this entire season with sunny skies and highs in the low 80’s both days. The wind thankfully kept to an unnoticeable 5-10 mph on Saturday and Sunday making the conditions for the players more than manageable. This tournament was ranked by the Junior Golf Scoreboard and the top ten finishers in all divisions received points towards All-HJGT Teams and the Hurricane Cup. The 15-18 girls division champion received AJGA performance stars. The stars were earned as part of the HJGT’s new agreement with the AJGA that states that if the girl’s division has 12 players or more players performance stars will be given. All winners also received an entry into the 2013 Tour Championship.
Jimmy Jones pulled out the victory in the boy’s 15-18 age division with two consistent rounds in the tournament. Jone’s registered a 75 on Saturday, leaving him one stroke behind the first round leader’s Matthew Ruel and Parker Fox. Jones was able to shoot an impressive 74 on Sunday giving himself a two day total of seven over par. Jones’s Par 5 performance was outstanding averaging 4.83 shots per par five which tied him for the best performance in that category. He also made an impressive 27 pars which four more than any other competitor. Second place was snagged by Ryan Gendron who shot 75 on Saturday and 76 on Sunday giving himself a two day total of nine over par. Tampa native, Gendron had pars or better ratio of 72.2% which helped in boosting him to the number two spot on the leaderboard. Matthew Ruel was able to hold on to third place after having the lowest first day round, shooting a 74. Ruel shot a 78 on Sunday which brought him to a two day total of 10 over par.
Latanna Stone won the girl’s 15-18 age division in impressive fashion. Stone, 11, was playing up a division trying to win the AJGA exemption stars that were awarded to the winner. Stone stayed consistent, shooting 72 on Saturday and 75 Sunday giving her a two day total of five over par. Stone sank an impressive six birdies and had a par four average of 4.18. Stone also had the second most pars in her division with 20. Diana Gonzalez placed second with a first round score of 74 and a second round score of 76 giving her eight over par as a two day total, three behind first place Stone. Gonzalez led the field in pars or better with 72.2% with her 21 pars. Kadi Pallastrone was able to finish in third place with a two day total of 12 over par, 79 on Saturday and 75 on Sunday. Pallastrone shot an impressive 20 pars and had a top three average on par threes, fours, and fives.
Brandon Wang was the champion in the boy’s 11-14 division after posting the lowest round on Sunday. Wang shot a 75 on Saturday before bouncing back slightly with a 73 on Sunday bringing him to a two day total of six over par. Wang’s seven birdies led the field and he also had an impressive par four average of 4.09 which was the second best average on par fours in the division. Ryan Hicks took second place after having the lowest first round score. Hicks score of 71 was aided by three birdies on the front nine. Hicks shot a 79 on day two to bring his tournament total to eight over par. Hicks led his division in many statistical categories including most pars, par three performance, par five performance, and most pars or better with 75%. Christophe Stutts came in third place with a two day total of 10 over par. Stutts led the field in par four performance with an average of 4.0. Stutts also had the second most birdies in the division with six.
Daniela Gonzalez brought home the trophy in the girl’s 11-14 division. Gonzalez had a two day total of 15 over par, 78 and 79 on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Gonzalez was able to seal the victory with her four birdies and one eagle. Gonzalez also had the most pars in the division with 18. Frequent HJGT golfer Lara Van Staden was able to take second place, falling just one shot short of Gonzalez. Van Staden led the division in pars or better and shot a two day total of 16 over par. Coming in third place was Alexz Pano. Pano had the second best par four performance in the field with a 4.59 average. Weather: Saturday - Sunny, low of 61 and high of 79, winds 5-10 mph Sunday - Sunny, low of 63 and high of 83, winds 5-10 mph Tournament Yardages: Boy’s 15-18 division: 6,749 Boys’ 11-14 division: 6,131 Girl’s 15-18 division: 5,732 Girl’s 11-14 division: 5,298 Tournament Awards: EFX Birdie Challenge: Boy’s 15-18 division: Michael Stewart Boy’s 11-14 division: Robby Eisch, Brandon Wang Girl’s 15-18 division: Latanna Stone Girl’s 11-14 division: Daniela Gonzalez Most Improved (Golf Pride Grips) Boy’s 15-18 division: Darius Sanders Boy’s 11-14 division: Evan Sun Girl’s 15-18 division: Maria Torres Girl’s 11-14 division: Sabrina Hoskins About Us: The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour (HJGT) was founded in 2008 with the intention of providing junior golfers between the ages of 11-18 an opportunity to play exceptional courses in a competitive environment. Golfers who participate on tour will compete in one of four age divisions: Boys 15-18 Division, Boys 11-14 and Girls 15-18 Division and 11-14 Division. Based out of Jacksonville, FL, the HJGT administers events all across the southeast as well as Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.