The Gate May 2019 | Page 10

STORIES FROM FALDO SERIES FLORIDA CHAMPIONSHIP AT FALCON’S FIRE DALY II BATTLES BACK FOR THRILLING VICTORY LAVELY SECURES FIRST IJGT VICTORY Trailing 3-shots off the leader before the final round, BGGA’s standout John Daly II went low for his second IJGT victory of the season! In one of the closest finishes of the weekend, the Boys U16 Division came down to the final holes. The course was setup allowing for low scores and an exciting finish that had spectators on the edge of their seats. Coming through victorious was BGGA’s Joshua Lavely. Lavely was able to secure victory in his first IJGT event and punch his ticket the Faldo Series U.S. Grand Final. Consistency was key to victory for the long hitter, firing back to back rounds of 70. Over 85 juniors both national and international gathered to compete at Falcons Fire Golf Club in Kissimmee, Florida for IJGT Merit Points, National Rankings, and first-and second place finishers earning an automatic invite to the 2019 Faldo Series U.S. Grand Final. Taking full advantage of the perfect conditions was BGGA’s John Daly II. Following up a first round 71 with an incredible final round 66, Daly was able to overcome a three-shot deficit. After winning the Metrowest Classic earlier in the season, Daly was able to win tournaments in back to back appearances. Daly was also crowned the 2019 Faldo Series Florida Champion, firing a two-day total of 137. Super Win LJ! Congratulations to Ian David (7th), Niels Schmidlin (8th) and Michael Walsh (T9)! 10 THE GATE | MAY 2019 Finishing one stroke back to Lavely was Austria native and current student at the Loretto School in Scotland, Maximilian Feistmantl. After shooting an impressive round of 69 on day one, Feistmantl put together another solid showing on day two, shooting an even par 72. The Loretto School trained at BGGA the month of April prior to the tournament.