It was another grand showing at STATES again this year as our area junior players competed for the right to be called State Champion. Sixteen top rank Florida High School teams in the FHSAA Boys 2A division would vie for the coveted trophy and rights to be called state champion.
This year
Ponte Vedra High School would claim such rights. The team lead by Ponte Vedra’s Senior Davis Lee would fire a team score of 302 in round one to take a two stroke lead over American Heritage (Plantation). The PV team would improve their first round score by six strokes to claim victory by seven strokes with a 598 total. Lee guided the championship team of Justin Ortiquera, Will McGriff, Elliott Wright and Stewart Slayden. Each player would do their part to ensure victory.
Lee playing in his final school junior state championship would shine as he walked onto the 18
th green in front of a crowd of over 100 plus on lookers. His birdie putt would find the bottom of the cup to finish his high school golf journey in fine fashion. Lee would also close his reign with a one under par 71 to capture his third state championship title along with one runner up. UNF is getting a champion for sure!
In the FHSAA Girls 2A Division Fernandina Beach would finish in the third spot with a team score of 674. The team consisting of Anika Richards, Katelin Richards, Taylor Howell, Maddy Campbell and Daisy Adams would all play some fair golf, but the girls team from American Heritage (Plantation) brought out there best games to capture the championship with a score of 597.
In the Boys 1A Division the Providence team of Tiaan Mattiace, Sam Nicholson, Carson Brewer, Davis Chandler and Rowen Parker would also finish third with a score of 605 with Windermere Prep posting a championship score of 591.
On the individual side of the house Sam Nicholson of Providence would shoot impressive scores 72-72 to tie for the fourth spot and Bolles superstar and Notre Dame hopeful Chloe Schiavone would shoot three under par to finish in fifth. Lisa Colee of Father Lopez would shoot even par 72-72 and finish in eight place. The leader in the Girls 1A Division would shoot eight under par. Yikes!
Davis Lee would fire a first round 76 followed by a second round of 71 to finish tied for second, Logan Underwood would finish fifth with 77- 72 and Justin Ortiguera would tie at sixth with scores of 77- 73, followed by Elliott Wright of Ponte Vedra with 75-76.
What is great about this story is that all of the above named players play on the NFJG TOUR and there are another 30 names who competed in this event that I did not mention. Simply awesome!
Congrats to all on a wonderful year.
NOW, let’s bring this list of superstar players to the next NFJG TOUR major event
, THE FIRST COAST JUNIOR AMATEUR
