FIRST AMERICAN TITLE AVILA JUNIOR CLASSIC QUALIFIER
The Claw at the University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida
July 11, 2004
FLORIDA NATIVES HENDERSON AND BEINDORF SHARE TOP HONORS IN TAMPA
Edwards posts top score in Girls Division
Tampa, Fla. – In attempts to qualify for this week’s First American Title Avila Junior Classic, 86 boys and 10 girls took the course Sunday at The Claw at the University of South Florida. Kyle Henderson of Clermont, Fla., and Jackson Beindorf of Vero Beach, Fla., shared the top medalist honors in the Boys Division. Rachel Edwards of Seminole, Fla., took home medalist honors in the Girls Division.
Henderson, who co-led the qualifier with a 2-under-par 69, finally felt his game came together on Sunday.
“I came in with no expectations because I have really been struggling with my putting over the past couple months,” Henderson said. “I got on a roll after I birdied the first hole. I finally just started sinking all my putts.”
The seventeen-year-old’s strong start led to a round that featured four birdies.
Beindorf, who shared the lead by carding 35-34—69, attributes the win to his mind game during the round.
“I just kept focusing on getting the ball in the hole,” the 14-year-old Beindorf stated. “It wasn’t that I was hitting the ball all that well, I just managed to get it up and down when I needed to.”
Both Henderson and Beindorf will use the win to enhance their AJGA Performance Based Entry Status and will not be competing in this week’s First American Title Avila Junior Classic.
Those who did earn spots in this week’s tournament were Alan Lee of Lima, Peru, Aaron Sherry of Fort Myers, Fla., Eric Black of Saint Cloud, Fla., Daniel Harari of Tampa, Fla., Louis Amira of Valrico, Fla., Patrick Smith of Tampa, Fla., Scott Wilhelm of Eustis, Fla., Andrew Douthit of McKinney, Texas, Paul Mosby of Jacksonville, Fla., Dustin Taylor of Safety Harbor, Fla., Tyler Hock of Ocala, Fla., and Hamilton Coffey of Sarasota, Fla.
Michael Papadakis of Davie, Fla., Samuel Chavez of Hillsborough, Calif., James Byrd of Windermere, Fla., and Mike McGann of Davie, Fla. also chose to opt out of this week’s tournament after earning their way in.
Edwards earned the top slot on the leaderboard in the Girls Division by finishing with a 40-35—75.
“I was really nervous starting out today because it was my first tournament with the AJGA,” the 15-year-old Edwards said. “I started out rough with a 4-over-par 40 on the front nine, but I started getting into my game on the back nine and stopped worrying.”
Also qualifying for this week’s tournament are Florida natives Whitney Wenglasz of Oldsmar, Danielle Jackson of Seminole, Gennifer Mendez of North Port, Courtney Figueroa of Naples, and Brittany Jones of Oldmar.
Titleist, the AJGA’s National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association’s success since 1989. Rolex Watch USA, a supporter of the AJGA since 1983, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004.
The first round of the First American Title Avila Junior Classic will be held Tuesday with tee times starting at 7:30 a.m. off Nos. 1 and 10 tees at Avila Golf and Country Club.
For more information on the First American Title Avila Junior Classic, contact AJGA tournament headquarters at (813) 968-7191.
