North Florida golf teams gearing up for their tournaments
As April unfolds, Jacksonville buzzes with excitement as the North Florida men’s and women’s golf teams prepare for crucial tournaments. The men’s team heads to the Lewis Chitengwa Memorial, aiming for a strong performance after their recent triumph, while the women’s team targets the ASUN Championship, facing tough competitors. Local high school golfers are also shining, showcasing talent and promising futures. With significant events ahead, golf enthusiasts are in for a thrilling month.
As April 2025 rolls around, there’s buzz in Jacksonville with the North Florida men’s and women’s golf teams gearing up for their respective tournaments. It’s an exhilarating time for the players and fans alike as they prepare to showcase their skills on the green!
The North Florida men’s golf team is shaking off the dust from a long break, ready to hit the course at the Lewis Chitengwa Memorial, scheduled for April 14-15 in Charlottesville, Virginia. This marks the third time in four seasons that the Ospreys will take part in this tournament, and they are looking to bring their best game yet.
They are coming off a solid performance earlier, where they claimed their first team title since the 2022-23 season at the World Golf Village Collegiate. In that tournament, senior Brett Schell shone bright, shooting an impressive 66 in the second round and coming home with his first individual victory at the tournament with a whopping score of 8-under 136. Not to be overshadowed, Jason Duff also had an impressive run, tying for second with a score of 1-under 143. All of this makes for an exciting build-up to their upcoming competition!
On a parallel track, the North Florida women’s golf team is prepping for the much-anticipated ASUN Women’s Golf Championship, kicking off this Sunday at the Robert Trent Jones Hampton Cove Course in Owens Crossroads, Alabama. The competition will see North Florida go head-to-head with Jacksonville University and Florida Gulf Coast University, all aiming to improve their standings based on recent scorecard rankings and spring results.
Currently ranked 104th in the nation, the North Florida squad has had its share of ups and downs this season. They achieved their best finish of fourth and also secured eighth place twice! The lineup includes standout players like Casilda Allendesalazar, who has made waves by being named ASUN Player of the Week three times, alongside Kaitlyn Schroeder, a two-time honoree. Together, they’ve wracked up eight top-10 finishes but faced challenges with consistency, particularly with other team members finishing outside the top ten.
In comparison, Jacksonville University, ranked 123rd, has shown promise with a recent high finish of second this spring, alongside placements of fifth, seventh, ninth, and 14th. Their squad features players like senior Casey Powell and graduate senior Susana Olivares, who have been moving up the ranks with improved performances. Missing out on an ASUN Championship title keeps their motivation high as they prepare for battle on the green!
It’s not just the college teams making waves. Local high school golfer Luke Balaskiewicz is making headlines too, after tying the third-lowest 36-hole score at the Florida Junior Tour with an impressive 11-under 133 at the Stone Creek Open. Balaskiewicz has notched up two FJT victories and amassed 11 top-10 finishes in just 19 starts, showcasing his talent!
Additionally, Ambrose Kinnare from St. Augustine recently finished solo second in an FJT event, narrowly losing to Tyler Creavy in a playoff at the Marsh Landing Open. The future looks bright for these young golfers making their way up the ranks.
In other golf news, Flagler College junior Stella Jelinek has been recognized as Women’s Golfer of the Week after her stellar performance at the World Golf Invitational. Meanwhile, Connor Clancy, a Navy Rescue Swimmer and graduate of Parker High, proudly recorded a hole-in-one at the Admiral Baker Golf Course in San Diego, adding to the excitement surrounding golf in the region!
With key tournaments lined up, both North Florida golf teams are ready to show the world what they can do. Whether it’s the men’s team aiming to make a strong comeback at the Lewis Chitengwa Memorial or the women’s team fighting for glory at the ASUN Championship, April is shaping up to be a thrilling month for golf enthusiasts. The greens are calling, and it’s time to rally behind our teams!
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