North Florida Junior Golf Foundation
The Hall of Fame Invitational Tournament Story
World Golf Village – The Slammer and The Squire
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Hard to believe we made the turn toward the Holiday Season, but believe it or not, it’s right around the corner. I think it’s going to be a great holiday season. I hope you think so too.
Yesterday we hit the second leg of the World Golf Village Challenge as 78 players tee’d it up at the Slammer and Squire in the Hall of Fame Invitational. The staff at the Slammer, just like the staff at the King and Bear welcomed us with open arms ready to have our junior tour players test the waters and light it up. I laugh because testing the water is a pretty good description of what the kids had to do because early morning rain bans were blown over St. Augustine to give us front nine showers. Although light, it made for some slippery golf, but everyone seemed to weather the storm pretty well. Some better than others.
The rain didn’t stop a PERFECT SHOT from taking place and it all happened on the par-3 seventh hole. Kaitlyn Schroeder’s mom Wendy, said Kaitlyn made a beautiful swing and contact with the ball headed right in line with the pin. The ball landed on the front of the green, said mom and it just kept rolling. It seemed like forever. I didn’t expect it to go it, but then it disappeared and Kaitlyn just stood there, then turned to everyone with her face between both hands, just speechless, full of excitement and then the realization sunk in and then screams of more excitement. Her playing partner Hannah Steven’s said, you should have saw her face! It was priceless! Not to bust the bubble, but the first question always asked is, was Kaitlyn in the HIO Club? Nope, so the pot stays at $720. Here is the link in case you would like to sign up.
HIO Registration
Also having no issue with the light rains was Charles Collings and Conner Dzion who both shot under par for their opening nine. Collings two under at 34 and Dzion one under at 35. Then it was a race to the end and it would be the final hole of regular play that would decide the final outcome for both players in the boy’s 16-18 division. Playing perfect golf, Collings would stumble on the final hole of play with a double bogey and even with a double Dzion would need to birdie at the difficult final hole to tie for the lead. Guess what? He did just that to send it into sudden death to determine the victor. Collings would par the first play-off hole to earn the title as the “Hall of Fame Invitational Champion”. Dzion showed his grit and determination, but would settle for the Silver Medal. Dzion gave a champions showing of thanks to Collings for a well-deserved victory. Patrick Hamlin and Chase Macey would tie at 75 each for the third spot with Hamlin winning by scorecard play-off.
Twenty-four of the 50 players who played in both the King and Bear Open would return to the Hall of Fame Invitational. For doing so they played for some additional prizes for their combined low scores for both events. One of those prizes was a nice Ping Hoofer carry bag valued at $200.00 and Chase Macey would be the lucky recipient as he posted two rounds at 75 for a total 150 nipping Derek Sanderson by one strokes at 151.
WOW! Our Girls 13-18 Division showed up in force again this week with 22 players in the field and you can tell by the scores these girls are practicing with a vengeance and getting serious about their games. Ainsley Mann would be one of the first players to go out and come in shooting a 75 on the day with three birdies. Mann birdied the hard 16th and 18th holes and that would be the difference in Gold or Silver. Mann out shined Katherine Jakeway by one stroke (75-76), who birdied the 10th and 14th holes against one bogey on her inward half to shoot a nice 1-under par 35 on the back nine. Beatrice Dietz would recover from a rough start on her opening nine holes to shoot even par 36 on the back for a total 79 to take the Bronze Medal. This would be her low round on the NFJG TOUR.
Our Boys 13-15 would have another awesome field with 21 players in the Rising Tour and nine in the Elite Tour. Both tours would have some stellar play. In the Elite TOUR Nolan Zaepfel would battle the rains on the front nine shooting a 41, but would take advantage when the rains were through by posting a nice 4-under par 32 on his final nine holes of play. Zaepfel would birdie the 10th and 11th, then the 14th and would cap things off with a nice EAGLE at the Par-5 16th hole. The hole 540 yards long would lead to a drive of 330+ yards and a 7-iron combination too five feet and a putt to six inches under. Sweet 73 and enough to declare victory over Jake Lytle who was “just Jake” with steady golf at two over 74. Eric Poehlman and James Ballato would tie at 76 for the third spot with Poehlman winning in a scorecard play-off.
Our Rising Tour Boys 13-15 Division would once again have the same named champion, as Derek Sanderson would claim victory at both the King and Bear and at the Slammer and Squire. Sanderson, (who will be moving on to the Elite Tour) said he has been working hard on his game and playing well because of his determination. Sanderson shot a fine three over par 75 to hold off the charge of Andrew Riley who shot 76. John Bennett (82) would take a one stroke advantage over Max Asher (83) to take the Bronze Medal.
Danny Erickson would bring some more attention to the Boys 10-12 Division by shooting an even par 72 to take home his first gold medal of the new season. Erickson would birdie the 10th, 15th and 17th holes to fire a RED HOT 2-under 34 on his inward side to take home a three stroke advantage over Jack Hardy. Jack Hardy would take the Silver Medal this week, but judging from his play is coming for the gold. Starting out with a bogey Hardy would string four pars followed by three consecutive birdies at the 6th, 7th and 8th holes to open his day with a 2-under 34. A follow up 41 would give him his best finish on tour at 75. Sam Davis with his steady game would take the third place award with a solid 79 on the day.
Our Foundation TOUR is growing and this week we had eight players battling for the top spot. Welcome Matthew French, John Patrick English, Nolan Yang and Tavi Sport to the NFJG TOUR.
This week Richard Hayden Ruth would claim victory shooting a sunny 42 on his round. If I remember right, Ruth told me last week at the King and Bear Open that he was going to practice and win this week. I like a man who keeps his promise. One of our newcomers Matthew French was right on the heels of Ruth, but came up just two strokes short. Joseph Antonacci shot himself a respectable 45 to take home a third place finish.
Coming up next is The National Challenge at Amelia National Country Club. This is my old club and I hope to see you there.
AWESOME Stuff there TOUR Players! Keep up the good work and we’ll see you on the links!
Sincerely,
Jack Aschenbach, PGA
Executive Director
North Florida Junior Golf Foundation
(904) 868-9535
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