Cahill, Ritter Win FJT Event in Gainesville

Matthew Cahill captured his first Florida Junior Tour (FJT) title as Jaime Ritter won her second consecutive title in the 13-15 age division event at Gainesville Country Club on May 19-20.

In the boys division, Matthew Cahill, 15, from Boca Raton posted a tournament total of 145 to win by three strokes. After a first round 75, Cahill sat two strokes back from the leader. Cahill went into the final round hoping to "get off to a quick start and not make many mistakes." He did just that making four birdies en route to blasting a 2-under par 70, the only under par round of the tournament.

"I hit the ball a lot better," said Cahill about his final round. "I also made a lot of good putts to save par." In just his third FJT event, Cahill has two previous top ten finishes. With this win, Cahill earns an exemption into the Boys Junior Championship in July. Ian McConnell, 15, from Riverview, jumped into second place with an even par in the final round. Combined with a 76 in the first round, McConnell finished at 148. Chase Marinell, 15, of Cape Coral, Daniel Berger, 14, from Key Biscayne, and Robert Chiste, 15, from Boynton Beach, shared third place honors each recording a tournament total of 149.

Jaime Ritter, 15, from Davie, secured the girls division title with a tournament total of 155. Ritter, who won last month at Shingle Creek, carded a 78 in the first round to share the lead with Heather Proctor. In the final round, Ritter posted a 41 on the front nine to trail Proctor by one at the turn. Ritter recovered nicely shooting even par on the back including two birdies. "I hit more greens on the back," said Ritter. "The course played very tough." This is Ritter's last FJT event in the 13-15 age division as she will move up to the older age division next season. Proctor, 14, from Ocala, finished two strokes back from Ritter for second place and her best finish in an FJT event. AJ Newell, 14, from Tampa, recorded an 81-82--163 for third place.

Conducted by the Florida State Golf Association, the Florida Junior Tour (FJT) is a junior golf tour offering highly competitive and affordable competitions for juniors in Florida. The 2006-2007 season consists of 23 events for juniors, male and female, ages 13-18. Beginning September and running through May, the FJT schedule will play at some of the state's top courses including Gainesville and Lake Jovita. The FJT's focus is on quality, affordability and integrity. Tournaments consist of 36 holes conducted over 2 days, typically weekends, with an entry fee of $95 or $115. Scholarship entry is available to junior golfers unable to afford the entry fee.

Working closely with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), FJT top competitors will receive exemptions and performance points towards AJGA events. The FJT is the only Florida tour to participate in the AJGA's Performance Based Process. In addition, FJT events will be ranked by Golfweek/Titleist and Junior Golf Scoreboard. The FJT will maintain a points list to assist in determining Junior Player-of-the-Year and invitations to other tournaments.

To view complete pairings, tee times, and results, please see http://www.floridajuniortour.org.

The FJT is conducted by the Florida State Golf Association which conducts 25 State Championships and more than 40 qualifying tournaments for USGA National Championships. The FSGA also maintains the USGA Handicap System, performs course ratings throughout Florida and assists in junior programs and scholarships.