By Barbara Palmgren
With an unusual tropical system developing along the Gulf Coast there was increased shower and thunderstorm activity for our area in late June and early July. This two-day, 36-hole tournament was therefore changed to a 27-hole event as only nine holes were able to be played on June 30. Torrential downpours even continued for a brief period on July 1, catching several boys’ teams near the end of the tournament.
Umbrellas, anyone? Imagine carrying your clubs while somehow holding an umbrella to protect yourself and those special drivers and irons. Not an easy feat! Fortunately for the girls, they finished before the boys and watched the sudden rain from the covered protection on the large patio at Fort Walton Beach Golf Club who hosted this event for the first time.
The 58th Annual Southern Juniors Tournament was hosted by the First Tee Gulf Coast, an organization dedicated to the golf skills and core values: confidence, sportsmanship, courtesy, integrity, honesty, judgement, perseverance, respect and responsibility.
With over 90 players from along the gulf coast, some coming as far as New Orleans, this tournament was the last of five this summer. Previous clubs hosting the summer tour included Hidden Creek, Osceola, Marcus Point, and AC Reid. The top five winners for three of these five tournaments in both boys’ and girls’ divisions receive an exemption to play in the FJT tournament at Pensacola Country Club in late July.
Ty Aulger, Tournament Director, an FSU graduate, organizes approximately 27 events a year. He is enthusiastic about helping young golfers improve. Ty is not new to the organization and was a young member at the age of 9. The First Tee of Northwest Florida is headquartered in Pensacola under the leadership of Executive Director, Marty Stanovich.
Younger winners included Holly Mae Jones (Girls 5-6); Sawyer Laxton (Girls7-9); Kinsler Rains (Boys 7-9); Taylor Wells (Girls 10-11); John Luke Henry (Boys 10-11). Overall winners in the teen category; Jasmine Nguyen (Girls) with a +7 for two days and Baylor Touchstone (Boys) with a +5 for two days.
I ventured out on the course to take a few photos before the rain started on the second day. They say golf is an outdoor sport. A dry outdoor is always better than a wet one. I think bonus points should have been given to the young men who finished the round with a wet scorecard but a smile on their face.
