South Florida PGA Junior Tour Championship

Anthony Gabriele of Wellington and Claudia DeAntonio of Weston were the overall winners Sunday in the South Florida PGA’s 11^th annual Junior Tour Championship at the Santa Lucia River Club.

Gabriele, a home schooled 16-year-old, led the boys with 78-72—150, scoring three birdies in each round. It was his second big victory of the year. He also won the SFPGA Junior Championship in June at Boca Grove Plantation, qualifying for the Junior PGA Championship in Fort Wayne, Ind. In August. “I didn’t play so well up there,” Gabriele said, “but it was a great experience.”

DeAntonio, who will turn 17 on Friday, was the low scorer among the girls with 73-80—153. One of several players from Venezuela, she moved to the U.S. three years ago. A junior at American Heritage School-Plantation, DeAntonio made four birdies Saturday and two Sunday but needed a par on the final hole to win by a shot.

DeAntonio and Alejandra Merchan, a close friend from Weston, were in the same threesome. “We were tied going to the last hole,” the par-4 18^th, DeAntonio said. “She made bogey and I made a five footer for par.” Merchan took three to reach the green then missed a 15-foot par putt, scoring 76-78—154.

The tournament field was limited to 84 players, including 63 boys and 21 girls, all chosen from the Player of the Year point standings. As this was the last of 17 tournaments this year, several other awards were presented.

Players of the Year – Mike Anderson, Parkland, boys 14-18; Alberto Martinez, Weston, boys 12-13; DeAntonio, girls 14-18; and Valeria Sofia, Hallendale Beach, girls 12-13.

Lowest Stroke Average (counting five best tournament totals) – Anderson, boys 14-18, 71; Martinez, boys 12-13, 71; DeAntonio, girls 14-18, 74.6; Sofia, girls 12-13, 76.7.

Honda Classic Most Improved Players – Jeremy Chaiser, Pembroke Pines, and Anastasia Talalenko, Naples.

Ed Ficker Sportsmanship – Robert Butler, Estero, and Radi Sauro, Lake Worth.