GREENSBORO, N.C. — Charles Huntzinger of Duluth, Georgia, shot 1-under-par 69 and won the FJ Invitational at Sedgefield Country Club with a tournament total of 4-under-par 276, Friday June 12th, 2015. Won Jun Lee of Wesley Chapel, Florida, placed second at 2-under-par 278 while John Augenstein of Owensboro, Kentucky, finished third at 1-under-par 279. Stephen Franken of Raleigh, North Carolina, placed fourth at even-par 280.
For Huntzinger, his final-round plan was to relax and stick to what he had been doing all week. In the final group of the day that is easier said than done, but he prepared well. With two birdies and one bogey he maintained a steady score so other players weren’t able to close the gap.
However, Huntzinger did experience some pressure towards the end of the round on the par-4 17th. After clipping the tree on his approach shot from the rough he was left with 80 yards, but he managed to hit a pressure-packed wedge to four feet and save an impressive par, keeping his lead at two strokes with one hole to play.
“I knew I had to shoot around 4 or 5 under for a total score, so I’m definitely happy with the way I played,” Huntzinger said. “I know I can finish it off now.”
As his first AJGA victory he is thrilled. Prior to this tournament he tied for second at the Bobby Chapman and his best AJGA finish was fourth. After this accomplishment Huntzinger moved to fifth in the Polo Golf Rankings.
“It feels good walking out of here with a win knowing I was out there with the best kids in the country,” Huntzinger said.
North Carolina native Stephen Franken moved up to fourth place with a 1-under-par 69 Friday and tournament total at even-par 280. His consistency and positive outlook throughout the week aided to his success. This is Franken’s best finish at such a prestigious event and he is thrilled.
“Going forward I want to make sure to keep playing smart and missing in the right spots,” Franken said, who will play at NC State in the fall. “Course management has been my strength this week.”