Bodenstein fires 74 in brutal conditions
The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour conducted the 2009 Panhandle Junior Classic at Marcus Pointe Golf Club. Marcus Pointe, which is a local favorite in Pensacola, played fast and firm all weekend. Mother Nature played a big factor this weekend. Juniors were treated to British Open like conditions with cold and windy weather. Sunday’s final round was played in 50 degree temperatures and consistent wind gusts of 25 mph.
In the Boys 16-19 division, Easton Key of Meridian, Mississippi held on to his first round lead to claim victory with a final round 80. Key, who shot 75 on Saturday, got off to a great start with a 1-over-par 37 on the front side. Although Key struggled coming down the stretch, he maintained his composure to ensure himself first place honors. Timo Machleid of Germany came up five shots short with rounds of 79-81. Machleid got off to a rough start on the front nine and tried to make a move on the back nine before running out of gas coming down the stretch. Rickie Lee of Bayou La Batre, Alabama finished in third place with rounds of 81-82.
In the Boys 13-15 division, Fisher Bodenstein of Milton, Florida fired an impressive two-over-par 74 on Sunday to record victory. Bodenstein didn’t get it going until the fifth hole where he recorded three birdies in a stretch of five holes. Bodenstein finished with a two day total of 151. Corey Carlson of Green Cove Springs, Florida and Christian Pope of Milton, Florida finished in a tie for second place with two day totals of 154.
In the Boys 10-12 division, first round leader Alex Green of Point Clear, Alabama sealed the deal with a final round of 83. Green, who shot 77 on Saturday, finished with a two day total of 160.Jason Rogers of Destin, Florida carded rounds of 84-85 to finish alone in second place.
In the Girls 15-19 division, Isabella Gabsa of Germany fired two consecutive rounds of 79 to finish with a two day total of 158 and the title. Gabsa mounted a big lead on Saturday and kept adding to it as the final round went on. Joanna Holt of Pensacola, Florida finished in second place with rounds of 82-93.
To see more pictures from the Panhandle Jr. Classic please visit the HJGT fan page on Facebook.com. For a direct link to the HJGT Facebook page and final round results please visit www.hjgt.org.
