Local junior golfer Nick Jones earned a first-ever win overseas when he competed in the sunshine state of Florida over the weekend.

The 15-year-old Saltus Grammar School student won the boys? 14 to 15 age group at the X Factor Junior Golf Tournament in Gainesville, clinching his victory on the first hole of a sudden death play-off against American rival Brandon Poca at the 6,700 yard Haile Golf Course.

Jones carded identical rounds of 73 over 36 holes to finish the final day?s play in a two-way tie, forcing a tension-packed play-off with Poca who carded 75 over the final 18 holes of the tournament, having opened with a 71.

The young Bermudian?s big drive off the tee on the first play-off hole ? a 376-yard par four ? split the fairway, leaving him just 46 yards short of the green. Using a wedge, Jones chipped to within eight feet of the hole and then sealed the tournament with a clutch birdie putt.

It was the youngster?s biggest win so far in a promising career and one that did not go unnoticed by Varsity golf coach Ken Leech.

Such was Leech?s admiration for Jones? golfing abilities, he offered the Bermudian a place on his team that will compete in Boca Raton next year and possible scholarship funds.

Recapping his outstanding achievement, Jones said: ?I just told myself ?don?t do anything silly. Don?t make any silly mistakes and take it nice and easy?.?

?I had a little left-to-right swing in my putt . . . it feels great to have won,? added Jones, who narrowly missed out on clinching the tournament on the final hole of regulation with a putt that rolled towards the hole but jumped back out.

Jones also finished in a tie for seventh place after carding rounds of 78 and 79 competing at the Southeastern Junior Golf tournament at the Grand Cypress Resort New Course in Orlando earlier last week.

The son of local pro Eardley Jones is a previous two-time winner of the Atlantic Junior Golf Championships and a member of Bermuda Junior Golf Association.