TAMPA, Fla. – Since entries into Florida Junior Tour (FJT) events have exceeded capacity, the FJT has instituted the Qualifying Series to accommodate for more players. The first of these Qualifying Series will be played at Belleview Biltmore Golf Club in Belleair on March 11-12 for boys and girls 16-18 years of age.
The Qualifying Series will give newer members and non-exempt players a chance to earn FJT exemptions while competing in a high quality, national ranked event. The events are open to all current FJT members who do not hold a current FJT exemption as of the first day of the Series tournament. The field will consist of a maximum of 84 players and include both boys and girls. In the boys division, the top 3 finishers and ties earn 2 FJT exemptions and the top 15 and ties earn 1 FJT exemption. The top 3 finishers and ties in the girls division earn 1 FJT exemption.
Conducted by the Florida State Golf Association, the Florida Junior Tour (FJT) is a junior golf tour offering highly competitive and affordable competitions for juniors in Florida. The 2005-2006 season consists of 15 events for juniors, male and female, ages 13-18. Beginning September and running through May, the FJT schedule will play at some of the state’s top courses including PGA Golf Club and Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club. This year will feature two 54-hole events as well as the first four-ball event. The FJT’s focus is on quality, affordability and integrity. Tournaments consist of 36 holes conducted over 2 days, typically weekends, with an entry fee of $95. Scholarship entry is available to junior golfers unable to afford the entry fee.
Working closely with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), FJT top competitors will receive exemptions and performance points towards AJGA events. The FJT is the only Florida tour to participate in the AJGA’s Performance Based Process. In addition, FJT events will be ranked by Golfweek/Titleist and Junior Golf Scoreboard. The FJT will maintain a points list to assist in determining Junior Player-of-the-Year and invitations to other tournaments.
To view complete pairings, tee times, and results, please see www.floridajuniortour.org.
The FJT is conducted by the Florida State Golf Association which conducts 22 State Championships and more than 40 qualifying tournaments for USGA National Championships. The FSGA also maintains the USGA Handicap System, performs course ratings throughout Florida and assists in junior programs and scholarships.
Contact:
Alyson Bartell
(813) 632-3742
abartell@fsga.org
