PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – West Palm Beach amateur Rasmey Kong won for the first time on the Minor League Golf Tour, beating Eric Dietrich of Cheshire, CT, on the second extra hole Friday after they tied at eight under par 63. Playing the Estate course at PGA National, they halved the first extra hole with par-4's, then Kong sank a 20-foot birdie putt at the par-4 second for the victory.

In regulation, Kong did not make a bogey, scoring birdies at Nos. 1, 2, 5, 6, 9. 11. 14 and 18. He was awarded a gift certificate worth the USGA-maximum $750, raising his career total to $7,524. Kong made his first MLGT start two years ago, on Nov. 4, 2015.

Dietrich was making his ninth MLGT start since Sept. 28 and is still looking for his first win. He eagled the sixth and 17th holes, both par-4's, and added six birdies and two bogeys to claim second among 46 starters. Dietrich collected $750 ($600 + $150 from extra 1st place) from the $5,775 purse, another $266.68 from the optional bonus pool and $233 in the skins game for a total of $1,249.68.

Today's tournament was about more that golf. This event honored the late Justin Fonseca, who played four winter seasons on the Minor League Golf Tour. He was 27 when he died in an automobile accident in June, 2014. He worked at Island Hills Country Club during the summer months to save up enough money to pursue his dream of playing golf professionally in the winter.

The Minor League Golf Tour created the Justin Fonseca Sportsmanship award to recognize a member of the Tour that conducts himself like a gentleman on and off the golf course like Justin did. This years award goes to Max Buckley who is a class act through and through. Buckley graduated from Southern Methodist University in 2011. He has competed on the Minor League Golf Tour the past three years. Max is a talented golfer between the ropes but it’s his behavior both inside and outside the ropes that won him this award. He defines the word professional in every sense of the word. Max will recieve a paid entry into a one day event of his choice with the award. Congratulations Max and continue to be a great role model for the next generation of golfers.