Local Golf Stars Shine as Jacksonville Prepares for Championship Month!

Jacksonville Beach, FL, USA - As the sun shines down on southern Florida, excitement is in the air with the ongoing 86th Florida Amateur Championship. This year, the tournament has seen some impressive performances from local talent, particularly among the First Coast golfers. Lucas Meers, director of Jacksonville University’s sea turtle program and a committed volunteer, has been sharing the spotlight alongside these burgeoning golfing stars. The Mickler’s Landing Sea Turtle Patrol recently recorded the discovery of a new sea turtle nest, showcasing Florida’s natural beauty while the players swing for glory on the greens.

The competition has heated up with four standout golfers qualifying for match play: Sofia Rivera from St. Augustine, Sahana Chokshi from Jacksonville, Kate Bibby also from St. Augustine, and Alexandra Gazzoli hailing from Palm Coast. In an exciting turn of events, Gazzoli reached the semifinals but unfortunately fell to Remi Bacardi from Miami with a score of 2 and 1. Bacardi then met Siuue Wi from Reunion in the championship match but couldn’t clinch the title, losing 2 and 1 after a hard-fought battle. Jacksonville.com reports that the top players in stroke-play qualifying were Wu at 5-under 139 and Bacardi at 3-under 141.

A Close Call for Local Talent

The match play format showcased the resilience of the local players. Gazzoli, with her noteworthy second-day performance, celebrated victories in two matches, defeating both Haley Davis from Ocala and Karoline Tuttle from Lake Mary by razor-thin scores of 1-up. Chokshi’s fight was commendable as she nearly forged her way back from being three holes down in her initial match against Olivia Hasselbach from Tampa, even managing to even the score before being edged out on the 18th hole.

Other local competitors faced challenges as well; Rivera lost her match against Bella Dowhey from Orlando with a score of 3 and 1, and Bibby encountered a tough match against Sophie Dwyer from St. Petersburg, losing 5 and 3. Gazzoli’s remarkable performance solidified her as a player to watch after she tied for third in stroke play, finishing with a score of 144.

Upcoming Challenges and Future Prospects

Looking ahead, the Jacksonville Area Golf Association is gearing up for a busy Championship Month in July, featuring three major championships. These include:

• Greater Jacksonville Junior Championship: July 15-16 at Eagle Harbor Golf Club (entry deadline: July 9 at 8 p.m.)
• First Coast Women’s Amateur: July 20-22 at Sawgrass Country Club (entry deadline: July 6 at 5 p.m.)
• Jacksonville Area Golf Association Championship: July 24-26 at Timuquana Country Club (entry deadline: July 1 at 5 p.m.)

More details about the tournaments can be found at jaxareagolf.org.

Additionally, several First Coast juniors have proven their prowess on the Florida Junior Tour, with Jonah Nacional standing fourth in boys 16-18, while Charlie Hipp and Ambrose Kinnare are making their marks in boys 13-15. On the girls’ side, Lily Wachter is holding down fourth place and Chloe McGrath ranks ninth in her division.

Statewide Tournaments on the Horizon

Florida’s golf enthusiasts will also have their fill of excitement in upcoming tournaments. The Marion Masters at Country Club of Ocala runs from June 20-22, followed by the Summer Games at Ocala Golf Club on July 26-27. The Florida Legacy Cup at PGA National Golf Club is scheduled for August 5-7. It’s clear that the state’s golf scene is bustling, offering plenty of opportunities for both amateur and seasoned players alike to shine. AmateurGolf.com has a comprehensive breakdown of future and recent tournaments that will keep players and spectators alike engaged throughout the summer.