Tampa Bay Winter Junior Open

The Tampa Bay Winter Junior Open delivered a true championship finish as the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour brought elite junior competitors to Lexington Oaks Golf Club for a competitive two-day test. With firm fairways, strategic layouts, and demanding greens, the course rewarded patience, consistency, and smart course management across a deep and diverse field. After 36 holes of tightly contested play, Amine El Omari of Tampa, Florida emerged as the tournament champion, defeating Brady Durkin of Winter Garden, Florida in a playoff to secure the Boys 16–18 title. El Omari posted rounds of 72 and 77 to finish regulation play tied at +5, then rose to the moment in the playoff, showcasing composure and confidence under pressure to earn the victory on his home course. Durkin finished as the runner-up after rounds of 73 and 76, remaining near the top of the leaderboard throughout the weekend and forcing the playoff with steady, disciplined play. Jack Zeder of Coral Gables, Florida claimed third place at +8 with back-to-back rounds of 76, continuing his consistent form and remaining in contention from start to finish. Matthew Asenov of Sofia, Bulgaria finished fourth at +12, while Florian Jakubke of Germany and Pushan Reddy Vutukur of Wesley Chapel, Florida tied for fifth at +19. The leaderboard reflected the international strength of the field, with players representing multiple countries and regions, reinforcing the global competitiveness of the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour. As the tournament unfolded, players were challenged not only by the course but by the mental demands of a closely packed leaderboard. Those who separated themselves did so through disciplined strategy, resilience, and the ability to perform in high-pressure moments. As part of the HJGT winter championship schedule, the Tampa Bay Winter Junior Open once again served as a proving ground for advanced junior golfers, offering meaningful competition on a championship venue and valuable experience that translates directly to higher levels of play.

The Tampa Bay Winter Junior Open continued to showcase high-level junior competition as the Boys 14–15 division took on Lexington Oaks Golf Club in a two-day test that demanded patience, adaptability, and mental toughness. With firm playing surfaces and greens that punished missed targets, the course required disciplined decision-making and the ability to respond after setbacks. Grant Goetz I of Lecanto, Florida emerged as the division champion, finishing at +14 after rounds of 74 and 84. Goetz built his victory on a strong opening round that gave him early momentum and allowed him to manage the field from the front. Despite tougher scoring conditions in the final round, he stayed composed and did enough to secure the title, demonstrating maturity and resilience under pressure. Ripken Sullivan of Largo, Florida finished second at +18, closing the tournament with an impressive second-round 79. Sullivan showed steady improvement throughout the weekend, applying pressure late and proving his ability to adjust as conditions evolved across the two rounds. Frank Brawley of Tampa, Florida claimed third place at +27, staying competitive throughout both days and gaining valuable experience competing on a demanding championship layout. Rounding out the field was Rex Lee of Hong Kong, who finished fourth at +31, adding an international presence to the division and further highlighting the global reach of the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour. The Boys 14–15 division exemplified the developmental purpose of the Tampa Bay Winter Junior Open—providing young players with an opportunity to compete in a challenging environment that mirrors the demands of higher-level junior golf. Each round tested focus, course management, and resilience, reinforcing lessons that extend well beyond the scorecard. As part of the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour’s winter schedule, the event once again delivered meaningful competitive experience, helping prepare players for future national and championship-level opportunities.

The Tampa Bay Winter Junior Open continued its competitive weekend at Lexington Oaks Golf Club with the Boys 12–13 division facing a demanding two-day challenge that emphasized patience, perseverance, and learning through competition. With firm fairways and greens that required careful approach play, the course provided a true test for developing junior golfers. Marchelo DeGenova of Tampa, Florida claimed the division title with rounds of 86 and 88 to finish at +30. DeGenova demonstrated steady composure throughout the weekend, navigating the course with discipline and maintaining control despite the challenges presented by the layout and conditions. His consistent play across both rounds allowed him to separate himself at the top of the leaderboard. Sebastian De Caso of Coral Gables, Florida finished second at +40, showing improvement on the final day with a strong second-round performance. His ability to adjust and respond under pressure highlighted continued growth and competitive development on a championship-caliber course. Cameron Limia of Plantation, Florida rounded out the field in third at +57, gaining valuable experience competing in a setting that tested both skill and mental toughness. For the Boys 12–13 division, the Tampa Bay Winter Junior Open served as an important developmental milestone, offering exposure to high-level competition and reinforcing lessons in course management and resilience. As part of the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour’s winter schedule, the event once again delivered meaningful competitive opportunities that help prepare players for the next stages of junior golf.

The Tampa Bay Winter Junior Open delivered another dramatic championship finish as the Girls 14–18 division took center stage at Lexington Oaks Golf Club. With firm fairways, demanding approach shots, and greens that rewarded precision and patience, the course provided a true test of competitive maturity across a deep and internationally represented field. After two tightly contested rounds, Leila El Omari of Tampa, Florida emerged as the division champion, defeating Emma Ziniuk of Magnolia, Texas in a playoff to claim the title. Both players finished regulation play tied at +12 with identical totals of 156, setting the stage for a high-pressure playoff finish. El Omari followed an opening round of 80 with an excellent closing 76, then delivered when it mattered most in the playoff to secure the victory on her home course. Ziniuk pushed the pace throughout the weekend, opening with a strong 74 before posting an 82 in the final round. Her steady play kept her in contention from start to finish and forced the playoff, earning her a hard-fought runner-up finish in one of the most competitive divisions of the event. Just two strokes back, Lilly Mrozik of Lake Mary, Florida finished third at +14 after rounds of 81 and 77, staying within striking distance throughout the tournament. A three-way tie for fourth at +16 highlighted the depth of the field, with GibbieKay Cain of Tennessee, Gabriela Calce of Texas, and Mattea Issa of Jamaica all showcasing resilience and strong shot-making across two demanding rounds. The remainder of the leaderboard reflected the global reach of the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, with competitors representing the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Korea, and Jamaica. Each player faced the same challenge—staying patient, managing mistakes, and competing with confidence under pressure. As part of the HJGT winter championship schedule, the Tampa Bay Winter Junior Open once again proved to be a valuable proving ground for elite junior players. The Girls 14–18 division, capped by a playoff finish, exemplified the competitive standard and developmental mission of the Tour—preparing athletes for higher levels of junior and collegiate golf through meaningful competition on championship venues.

The Tampa Bay Winter Junior Open provided a strong competitive platform for the Girls U13 division at Lexington Oaks Golf Club, where young players were challenged by a course that rewarded discipline, smart decision-making, and composure beyond their years. Firm fairways and demanding greens required thoughtful strategy throughout both rounds, making the weekend a valuable developmental experience. Zoe Hout of Sebring, Florida delivered an impressive performance, finishing at +11 to claim the division title. After opening with an 80, Hout responded with a standout second-round 75, showing strong adaptability and confidence as she navigated the course more efficiently on Sunday. Her ability to make adjustments and close strong separated her at the top of the leaderboard. The Girls U13 division once again highlighted the developmental mission of the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour—providing young athletes with the opportunity to compete on quality venues while building foundational skills in course management, resilience, and competitive focus. For Hout and her peers, the Tampa Bay Winter Junior Open served as an important step forward, offering experience that will carry into future junior competitions.