ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Fourteen-year-old Amelia Lewis of Jacksonville achieved two firsts Sunday at St. Johns Golf & Country Club. She won the Championship Flight of the Jacksonville Amateur Golf Tour’s first-ever tournament, and also became the first female in the 12-year history of the Amateur Golf Tour to capture a victory in the Championship Flight.
Lewis accomplished both feats by shooting an impressive 77 in winds ranging from 20 to 25 miles per hour. As required for competition in the Championship Flight, Lewis played from the back tees at the par-72 layout, which measures 6,801 yards.
"Considering that more than 1,500 Amateur Golf Tour tournaments have been held in 35 cities around the country over the last dozen years, that’s quite an achievement," said Kevin Bradley, the tour director for Jacksonville.
Meanwhile, Bradley considered his debut tournament a success as golfers from as far away as Orlando, Pensacola, and Brunswick, Ga., competed in the inaugural event. The AGT stages competition in four separate flights, with golfers placed by handicap according to their individual skill level.
In the A Flight, Blake Holcomb of Ponte Vedra shot 78 to take top honors, while Justin Mobley of Middleburg grabbed first place in the B Flight by shooting 81 playing from the shorter white tees (6,384 yards). St Augustine’s Chappy McBride used his local knowledge to prevail in the C Flight with an 82.
"I’m shocked," said McBride. "The Tour must bring out the best in me, because I haven’t broken 90 in over two months."
Tour director Bradley noted, "This was a great start for our tour here in Jacksonville. I’m pleased with the turnout and enthusiasm displayed by all participants. The fact that Amelia recorded a tour first didn’t hurt either."
Bradley will be accepting tour members throughout the season. Amateur golfers wanting information about the Jacksonville Amateur Golf Tour should contact him at (904) 687-1104, or send an e-mail to fcg@amateurgolftour.net.
The next stop on tour is Feb. 25 at Cimarrone Golf Club.
Contact:
Kevin Bradley
(904) 687-1104
fcg@amateurgolftour.net
Craig Distl
(704) 377-8622
cdistl@bellsouth.net
