Mangalorean Rigel Wins US FCWT National Golf Championship
Media Release
Florida, Jun 5: Rigel Fernandes of Mangalore, India has won the US FCWT National Golf Championship in the 13 – 15 year category held at the PGA National Golf Club – Championship Course in Florida from May 29 - 31. This tournament is by invitation, only to the winners of the various FCWT tournaments held during the academic year in the United States and is considered the Champion of Champions.
Rigel led from the front right from day 1 – he was tied for the lead with 1 over with two other players at the end of day 1. On day 2, he pulled away the advantage with a round of 1 under and increased his lead to three strokes. Day 3 was a huge challenge with Rigel starting on the back nine which has some of the most challenging holes on this championship course. After a tough opening nine holes during which he gave up 4 strokes to the golf course, 13 year old Rigel battled back on the front nine making 4 birdies and only one bogey to finish at one over par for the day and one over par for the tournament, winning this prestigious tournament by 8 strokes ahead of 2nd place Antony Gardner of Florida. Details of this tournament are available on the official FCWT site: http://fcwt.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/fcwt9/event/fcwt952/contest/19/leaderboard.htm
Rigel has been playing consistently well in both the FCWT (Future Collegiate World Tour) and HJGT (Hurricane Junior Golf Tour) leagues this year winning six tournaments and came 2nd in the only AJGA (American Junior Golf Association) tournament that he played in April in Braselton, Georgia.
Rigel, a grade 9 student trains at the IMG Leadbetter Golf Academy in Bradenton, Florida – one of the leading sports academies in the world. He is the only 13 year old Golfer to make it to the Leadbetter 1st All American Golf team this year. He also made it into the 2nd All American FCWT team.