The Saddlebrook Junior Golf Classic got off to a mild start with temperatures for the first groups teeing off around 65 degrees. There were occasional clouds throughout the day, but the 70+ degree weather made it very pleasant for all who were playing. In the boys 16-18 division, Jhared Hack of Heathrow, FL (2007) is chasing his third FCWT win of the season after firing an opening round of 3 under par 67 on Saturday. Hack, who has already won at Grand Cypress and then last weekend at Innisbrook, is looking for another win. He will enter the final round with a 2 stroke lead over Jared Fishman of Dade City, FL (2007). Fishman carded a 1 under par round of 69 on Saturday to be in sole possession of 2nd place. In a tie for third at even par 70 are Jordan Lewis of West Frankfort, IL (2008). Roberto Francioni of Hausen, SWITZERLAND (2008), and Sebastian Heisele of Dubai, UAE (2007). Diego Tamayo of Venezuela (2007) will start in 6th place after a round of 1 over par 71 and Joel Durrance of Ocala, FL (2006) will start in 7th place at +3 (73). Seth Andrie of N. Muskegon, MI (2007) is at +4 (8th place) and Sean Dale of Jacksonville, FL (2008) and Shezad Lakdawala, Dubai, UAE (2007) are tied for 9th at +5 (75). Two players carded an eagle in the boys 16-18 division: Blake Picolo and Gil Manuel. Fifty-nine birdies were carded in this division with Roberto Francioni, Shezad Lakdawala, Sebastian Heisele and Jhared Hack leading the way with 4 each. The course saw 455 pars on the day in this division with Ian Gilley, Jhared Hack, and Jared Fishman carding 13 apiece. In the boys 13-15 division, Jack Schultz of Whitefish Bay, WI, 2009, carded an opening round of even par to take the lead in this division. Schultz tied with Kyle Kopsick for most birdies in this division with 3 on the day. He leads Hugh Lindstrom of Wesley Chapel, FL (2008) and William Sjaichudin of Queensland, AUSTRALIA (2010). Schultz is playing in his first event of the season; Lindstrom had a win at Naples in December and Sjaichudin is also playing in his first event. Lindstrom and Sjaichudin tied for most pars in this division with 14 each. Kyle Kopsick of Lake Bluff, IL (2008), who won at the University of Florida, is currently in 4th place at +4, 4 shots back of Schultz. Three players are tied for 5th at +5: Jack Schroeder of Naples, FL (2008), Kevin Benstead of Boxford, MA (2008), and Maxwell Campion of Boston, MA (2009). In the Girls 13-18 division, Meghna Bal of New Delhi, INDIA (2006) fired an opening round of one under par 69 to lead the 21 girls in this division. Bal, who finished second last weekend at Innisbrook, is looking for her first FCWT win. She will have a two shot advantage over Innapha Tantanavivat of Bangkok, THAILAND (2007) and Marika Lendl of Bradenton, FL (2008). Innapha finished T3 at Champions Gate in November and Marika finished 2nd at World Woods in November. These three young ladies will be the final group to tee off in this division on Sunday. Just behind them will be a threesome tied for 4th at 72 (+2): Sherlyn Popelka, Zuerich, SWITZERLAND (2009), So-Hyun Park of Bradenton, FL (2007) and Isabelle Lendl of Goshen, CT (2009). Sherlyn has a T5 and a 2nd so far this season; So-Hyun, who led this division in pars with 16, is playing her first event of this season; Isabelle has a 3rd place finish so far this season – so don’t count any of these ladies out! Anna Riss will start the final round in 7th place after an opening round of +4, 74. Starting tied for 8th will be Hannah Yun of Bradenton, FL (2010), who led this division in birdies with 4 and Jaclyn Sweeney of Bradenton, FL (2008). Rounding out the top ten at +6 are Ines Chandra of Kuta-Baci, INDONESIA, (2007) and Brianna Seo of KOREA (2007). In the girls 11-13 division, 9 year old Cindy (Yueer) Tang of CHINA who won last weekend at Innisbrook is out to the first round lead here at Saddlebrook after an opening round of +6 (76). She leads Daniela Lendl of Goshen, CT (2011) by 3 strokes. Cindy and Daniela both had 12 pars on the day. Simin Feng who is currently in 3rd place after an opening round of 82 made the only birdie on the day in this division with a 2 on the par 3 second hole. |
