GGGA students Arimoto, Edelman Win at FCWT World Woods
April 23, 2012
GGGA student Karen Arimoto swiped her fifth FCWT win of the year Sunday in the Girls Division at World Woods Golf Club, while fellow GGGA student Arthur Edelman picked up his first.
Arimoto, who is a student in the Full-Time Junior Program at the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy, was the overnight leader going into Sunday’s final round.
After opening with a 5-under 66 Saturday, Arimoto, of Japan, posted a final round 76, which tied her with fellow GGGA student and countryman Yuka Kajiki. Playing in the final group with Arimoto, Kajiki carded consecutive 71s to force the playoff.
Playing No. 18 again in the playoff, Arimoto made a clinching par as she had previously done to close the first and final rounds to notch her fifth FCWT win on the season. That moved her total to six wins on the year. This year, Arimoto has picked up wins at the AJGA Junior All-Star at Chateau Elan with FCWT wins at Innisbrook, Mission Inn, Saddlebrook and the University of Florida.
GGGA student Mai Dechthipat, of Thailand, took third at 8-over 150 for a 1-2-3 finish in the Girls Division.
Over in the Boys Division, GGGA student Arthur Edelman, of France, fired a final round 69 following a crucial par on No. 18 to force a playoff with overnight leader Payton Taylor.
Edelman, a senior, who committed to Denver University last week, and Taylor matched each other though three playoff holes to send it to the 432-yard par-4 12th.
Edelman was first to play from the fairway and stuffed his second to four feet, while Taylor followed with great shot of his own to 12 feet.
Taylor hit the cup with his downhill putt, leaving the door open for Edelman. Edelman stepped up to his four-footer and drained it for birdie to clinch his first FCWT win since 2009 at TPC Tampa Bay. (see video) Edelman had previously notched three top 10s this season.
Edelman finished at even-par 142.
GGGA student Jessel Mohammed, of Trinidad & Tobago, who committed to Flagler last week, tied for fifth at 3-over 145.
About GGGA
Based at the Mission Inn Resort & Club, 40 minutes outside of Orlando, Fla., the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy is the leading full-time junior golf academy in the world. The Academy is committed to excellence in every facet of golf, fitness, personal development and academics, evident through exclusive relationships with Montverde Academy, an acclaimed private college preparatory school, and the American Junior Golf Association.
As part of GGGA’s partnership with the AJGA, the academy is the official title sponsor of the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy Junior All-Star Series, an AJGA tournament series reserved for the world's top 12-15 year-old golfers.
The Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy features a boarding program for junior golfers and the following programs: Full-Time Junior Program, Post-Graduate Program, summer golf camp, winter golf camp and golf lessons and programs for adults, amateurs and professionals.
For more information about GGGA, the GGGA's full-time residential boarding program and other year-round opportunities to Train, Think and Play like a Champion, visit www.ggga.com or call 1-866-639-9099
