Hilton Head Island, South Carolina: (November 22th, 2015). A field of 68 young golfers turned their attention to the wonderful George Fazio course on Hilton Head Island this week. The course was in great condition, but with a strong wind that constantly changed directions, it was not playing too easy. The long par 70 course is only one of the three beautiful courses in Palmetto Dunes. This course, designed by George Fazio, was very narrow with, out of bounds lurking on nearly every hole. An accurate tee shot was vital to playing well. Players from all over the world joined us on Hilton Head Island and put their skills to the test on the George Fazio course. The winners in each division received an invitation to the 2015 Hurricane Junior Golf Tour National Championship. Additionally, the top ten finishers in each division received points towards year end honors which include state teams, ALL HJGT teams, and the Hurricane Cup.
Boys 15-18 Jose Aguilar used a final round one over 71 to win the Hilton Head Junior Shootout on a crazy Sunday. Aguilar started the day with a share of the lead with fellow playing partner Quincy Stith. Saptak Talwar started the day two back of the lead, but due to a solid one under par front nine and some struggles of the players ahead, Talwar had the lead with 9 holes remaining. Aguilar and Stith went out in 36 and 38 respectively. Through nine holes both players had relinquished the lead, but the back nine was a different story. Stith came back with a one under 35 on the final nine to finish in second place as he was unable to catch Aguilar. Aguilar carded a back nine 36 to win by one stroke. There was also a hole in one on Sunday after Alex Roman got a good bounce and roll right into the cup on the par three 6th hole.
Boys 13-14 After day one Jonathan Griz and William Mirams trailed Carlos Garre by a shot. Garre carded a first round three over 73, but Jonathan Griz would charge on Sunday to take the lead and win the boys 13-14 division at the Hilton Head Junior Shootout. Griz birdied hole 14 on Sunday on his way to closing nine score of 36 that eventually gave him a five shot win over Carlos Garre and Caden Edwards. William Mirams led the field in total birdies with five and Caden Edwards and Jonathan Griz averaged 2.9 on the par 3’s for the tournament.
Girls 15-18 Melany Chong led by one stroke over Hanna Kiefer after the first 18 holes Saturday with a solid 74. Chong then opened up on Sunday with a birdie on the first hole to grow her lead, but Hanna Kiefer would birdie the par 5 second to get back within one. Then Kiefer would birdie the par three 6th hole to grab the lead all by herself and would hold onto that lead throughout the day and win the girls division for the Hilton Head Junior Shootout. Kiefer shot back to back 75s to win by two shots over Melany Chong. Hanna Kiefer led the field in birdies with 5 for the tournament and Ankita Kedlaya averaged 3.2 on the par 3s to lead the field. Weather: Day 1 - Low 49 Degrees, High 68 Degrees, Wind from 5-10 mph Day 2 - Low 46 Degrees, High 66 Degrees, Wind from 5-15 mph Tournament Yardages Boys 15-18 – 6587 yards Boys 13-14 – 6154 yards Girls 11-18, Boys 11-12 – 5649 yards About us: The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour (HJGT) was founded in 2008 with the intent of providing junior golfers between the ages of 11-18 an opportunity to play exceptional courses in a competitive environment. Golfers who participate on the tour will compete in one of five age divisions: Boys 15-18, Boys 13-14, Boys 11-12, Girls 15-18, and Girls 11-14. Based out of Jacksonville, Florida, the HJGT administers events all across the nation, with stops in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Louisiana, and Connecticut. For more information regarding the HJGT tour, please visit our website at www.hjgt.org, call the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour Headquarters at (904) 379-2697, or email info@hjgt.org Experience #TheHurricaneDifference