Uminski & Aguirre Stun at Sun 'N Lake
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SEBRING, Fla. – Sun ‘N Lake Golf Club served as the host for this week's Florida Junior Tour event for the 13-15 age division. Competitors were met with strong winds, firm greens, and a tricky layout. Players flocked to Sebring in a race to see who could attempt to raise the trophy come Sunday.
Boys (13-15)
Sun ‘N Lake’s tricky layout proved difficult for the boys' field. With birdies hard to come by, Jack Mokris made the most of his front nine on Saturday, posting eight pars and one birdie, shooting one under before the turn. With competitors like Ignacio Hurtado and Riley Sillaway not too far behind. Hurtado would post two birdies on the back to shoot a consistent one over par, for a solid three over par on the day. While Sillaway would press on the gas on the back nine. The Longwood native would birdie both holes 11 and 12 before posting a double bogey on 15 and rectifying the mistake with another birdie on 16. Sillaway would finish the back nine one-under par. After Round one was complete, it was Mokris, Hurtado, and Sillaway who would all three share the lead heading into Round 2.
The second round out at Sun ‘N Lake was beautiful and brisk. With calmer winds than the day prior, several boys decided to take advantage of the golf course's easier conditions. Giancarlo Aguirre came out of the gate hot. Aguirre would birdie his first hole of the day and continue to press the gas. The Windermere native would also post a birdie on hole 3, allowing him to shoot an impressive one under par on the front nine, to take the lead by one at the turn. However, Riley Sillaway and Kaden Latreille would be nipping at his heels. Sillaway would birdie his first three holes on the back. Latreille would do something similar but would eagle hole 11 and birdie hole 12. A birdie for Sillaway on hole 14 would propel him into a tie for the lead with only five to play. As the day drew to a close. Both Sillaway and Aguirre would come into the clubhouse tied for lead, but it was Giancarlo Aguirre who would rise and win the first playoff hole.This is Giancarlo’s second FJT win this season, capturing his first earlier this season at the FJT Capital City Open.
Girls (13-15)
Nicole Uminski would start round one hot with a birdie on hole one. This would set the tone for her front nine, as she would make the turn in the lead at one under par. Reese McMillan would be nipping at Uminski's heels as she made the turn just two back. However, for McMillan, consistency is key, and with no big numbers, the Jupiter native would secure a consistent three over par on the day, tying Uminski after some unlucky bogeys. After a birdie on hole nine, Hannah Castillo started to make a run. Castillo would post birdies on 10 and 11, as well as 13, 14, and 15. An unfortunate double bogey on 18 would push Castillo to four over par, placing her in solo third one stroke behind the leaders, Nicole Uminski and Reese McMillan, heading into round 2.
Mila Zalsman showed off her skills early. After finishing round one in fourth, she started her day with a birdie on her first hole. This set the tone for the Saint Petersburg native’s day. Zalsman would take hold of the lead by one as the girl's division made the turn. McMillan and Uminski would sit just one back, with the second nine to play. Zalsman would double hole five to take her out of contention, leaving it to Uminski and McMillan to battle it out. A birdie for Uminski on hole nine would do all to seal her first FJT win.
