The South Florida PGA Junior Tour congratulates Simon Bustos, Tristan Rhodenizer, and Lilly Parker on being named Medalist Players of the Year
West Palm Beach, FL -
The Srixon South Florida PGA Junior Tour is proud to recognize three Medalist Tour members as the 2025 Players of the Year. Through consistent performances, impressive scoring, and success in some of the Tour’s premier events, these players set the standard for excellence throughout the season.
Boys 11–12 Player of the Year: Simon Bustos
Bustos of Palm Beach Gardens delivered a standout season in the Boys 11–12 division, accumulating 1,310 total points across seven events played. His competitive drive and steady play were highlighted by two first-place finishes in back-to-back events.
Bustos earned major victories at the Brendan Cunningham Junior Open, finishing 17-over par, and the Jim McLean Labor Day Classic, where he posted a 9-over par total. Over the course of the season, he recorded a lowest round of 69, maintained a 75.33 scoring average, and averaged two birdies per round, showcasing both consistency and scoring ability.
Reflecting on his year, Bustos shared, “In 2025 I learned a lot from playing different tournaments and seeing what I need to improve. In 2026 I’ll be playing in the 13–18 age division, and I’m excited to gain experience competing against older players and learning from them. I also really enjoy playing with my friends, which makes the tournaments even more fun. I’m very thankful to the tour—it’s been an amazing experience and I really enjoy being part of it.”
Boys 13–18 Player of the Year: Tristan Rhodenizer
In the highly competitive Boys 13–18 division, Rhodenizer of Palm Beach Gardens emerged as a top performer, earning 1,360 total points over five events played. His ability to contend in major championships was evident, highlighted by three second-place finishes.
Rhodenizer posted strong under-par performances at the South Florida Junior PGA Championship (4-under par), Nicklaus Junior Championship (2-under par), and the Jim McLean Labor Day Classic (4-under par). He recorded a lowest round of 69, averaged three birdies per round, and finished the season with an impressive 71.85 scoring average.
Reflecting on his season, Rhodenizer said, “I feel like I put up a lot of consistent rounds in order to put myself in position in the majors. I’m proud of how I played, and fortunate enough to win Player of the Year. Looking forward to next year!”
Girls Player of the Year: Lilly Parker
Parker of North Palm Beach delivered one of the most consistent and resilient seasons on the South Florida PGA Junior Tour, earning a Girls 13-18 division-leading 1,426 total Srixon Player of the Year points. Across 10 events played, Parker finished inside the top-10 in every start, a remarkable display of reliability and competitive excellence.
Her season was highlighted by a victory at Santa Lucia River Club, where she finished 9-over par, and a dramatic co-championship victory at the Tour Championship at The Park. By birdieing her final holes over 36 holes to force a playoff, Parker not only secured a share of the championship but also clinched the Srixon Player of the Year points title, an accomplishment she never expected.
“I was struggling mentally and withdrew from some events,” Parker said. “I decided to play the Brendan Cunningham event, and I guess if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have gotten Player of the Year.”
That decision proved pivotal, reinforcing an important lesson from her season. “It showed me it’s OK to struggle. There are ups and downs, but eventually it does work out,” she added.
Parker recorded a season-low round of 68, averaged two birdies per round, and finished the year with a 73.71 scoring average, numbers that reflect both her consistency and growth throughout the season.
Looking ahead, Parker’s goals extend beyond trophies and titles. “Growing as a player to me means enjoying the game more and not putting too much pressure on myself,” she said. “I want to keep getting better at the little things, especially short game, and keep believing in myself more.”
The Srixon South Florida PGA Junior Tour congratulates Simon Bustos, Tristan Rhodenizer, and Lilly Parker on being named Srixon South Florida PGA Players of the Year. Their dedication, sportsmanship, and outstanding performances made them deserving recipients of this honor, and we look forward to watching their continued success both on and off the course.
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