HHIJGA Students Finish Strong in Final Southeast IJGT Event

Falcon's Fire a Test For HHIJA Students

Four Place Top 3 

This past weekend the International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) hosted the Florida Swing at Falcon's Fire in Kissimmee, Florida. The Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy (HHIJGA) students consisted of sixty-five of the ninety juniors in the very strong, and competitive field. IJGT tournaments are 36 hole, two day events, divided into three divisions including Boys 15-19 Division, Boys 14 & Under Division, and a Girls Division; four HHIJGA students placed in the top three in their division. 

In the Girls Division, Carolin Schart of Vishofen, Germany and Anna Paula Valdes of Morelia, Mexico finished the two day event in a three way tie in second. Schart shot a first round even par followed by a 4-over-par 76. Schart had 5 birdies and was able to play the par 3's for the weekend at 1-under-par. Schart has now finished the IJGT regular season with 3 top 3 finishes, including a win at the IJGT College Classic at Duke University, where she also finished 4-over-par for the tournament.

Anna Paula Valdes played extremely well as well posting rounds of 4-over-par 76 and even par 72. Finishing the tournament 3-under-par on the par 5's and a total of 7 birides for the weekend. This second place finish ties Valdes best finish of the season. She has now finished in the top 3 this season a total of 5 times and has finished in the top 6 in all 12 tournaments that she has competed in.

In the Boys 14 and Under Division, HHIJGA students Shogo Ito of Tokyo, Japan and Lohith Ramaraju of London, England finished in second and third, respectively. Ito finished this 36-hole event 7-over-par shooting rounds of 4-over-par 76 and 3-over-par 75, two shoots off of the leader. Ito struggled on the difficult par 4's that Falcon's Fire presented but was able to play the par 3's 1-under-par and the par 5's 2-under-par for the weekend. Ito has won two events this season, and this second place finish makes 7 top 3 finishes for the season.

Ramaraju finished in third in the event with rounds of 6-over-par 78 and 2-over-par 74. Ramaraju in his final round was able to play both the front and back just 1-over-par, on each side. Finsihing the par 5's 1-under-par, Ramaraju has now finished the regular IJGT season with 9 top 3 finishes and has won 3 events.

Academy students look to finish their IJGT season's at the largest tournament of the season in two weeks in Orlando, Florida in the season ending Tournament of Champions at Grand Cypress Resort on May 26-28. This event is sure to showcase the best talent of the IJGT and we wish the HHIJGA who are participating the best of luck!