The First Tee Miami-Dade Amateur Golf Association

Doral-Publix Junior Golf Classic
Day 3 Recap

December 23, 2006 - DORAL, FL

628 Junior Golfers, representing 38 US States and 42 Foreign Countries competed in this 25th Annual Doral Publix Jr. Golf Classic at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Miami.

In the final round of the 54 hole event, 11 year old Alexis Thompson of Coral Springs, FL, who is the first girl in the tournament’s 25 year history to play up 3 age groups, captured first place in the Girl’s 16-18 division, with rounds of 72-74-73 (219) over Mitsuki Katahira from Japan who shot 75-72-73 (220).

Although Alexis faltered down the stretch, her play was still good enough for the win. “It was pretty close today but now I feel really good. It is a relief to win.” Alexis’ older brother, and professional tour player, Nick Thompson, was in the crowd watching and said, “Of course I am proud of her. During my years of junior golf I did not see anything like this with an 11 year old, at least not at this stage of competition.”

In Boys 16-18 the Championship went right down to the wire between Carlos Goya of Cordoba, Argentina 72-69-70 (211) and Sean Einhaus of Borken, Germany who shot 71-70-71 (212) with Carlos emerging victorious by a single stroke. Sean was very gracious in defeat and said, “Carlos played well and made a lot of good putts. He deserved to win.” This was Carlos’ first international victory as a junior golfer but his future plans are, “Tomorrow I am going to take the day off and go to the beach.”

A high point of the final round in Boy’s 16-18 was 17 year old Cody Paladino of Kensington, CT making a rare double eagle on hole number one of Doral’s famed Blue Monster by holing a 210 yard 6-iron. Cody is a +3.4 handicap player and was voted the Men’s Player of the Year in CT, by having won three times in men’s state events. He was also is the New England Junior Player of the Year and was runner-up in the state amateur.

The event commonly known as the World’s Largest Junior Golf Tournament is in its 25th year and is truly an international tournament. Visit www.dagagolf.org for complete results.