HATTEN WINS IN COME-FROM-BEHIND FINISH AT RICHTER PARK
Brown wins Girls Division in sudden-death playoff at 5-over-par 221

DANBURY, Conn. — Jeff Hatten of Farmington, Conn., won the Fidelity Investments Junior Championship at Richter Park firing a 3-under-par 213 tournament total. Sarah Brown of Stewartsville, N.J., also came from behind to win the Girls Division posting a 5-over-par 221 tournament total.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Fidelity Investments Junior Championship at Richter Park was a 54-hole stroke play event held at Richter Park Golf Course. The 86-player field featured players from 15 states and Canada. The course played at 6,695 yards in the Boys Division and 6,045 yards in the Girls Division.

Hatten said he was trying to play three solid rounds this week, and the fact that he won was quite a shock to him.

“I hit my first 16 greens,” Hatten said. “Winning makes me feel good to know that I can compete out here.”

After a birdie on No. 1, Hatten said it helped him feel more confident to be two down before the tournament even really started. Hatten also made birdies on Nos. 6, 7 and 16 to lead him to a 3-under-par 69 for the day. But it was a slippery 20-foot par putt on No. 18 in front of the large gallery that sealed the victory.

Max Bichsel of Cranbury, N.J., finished second posting a 2-under-par 214 tournament total. Niall Platt of Santa Barbara, Calif., came in third with an even-par 216, while Tommy Higham of Shelley, Idaho finished fourth recording a 2-over-par 218. Tied for fifth were Eric Frazzetta of Long Beach, Calif., and Ryan Gay of Pittston, Maine, both carding 4-over-par 220 tournament totals.

In the Girls Division, Brown said she did not think that her 2-over-par 74 Thursday, would put her atop the leaderboard.

“After No. 15, I saw my Dad was excited so I knew something must be up,” Brown said. “I didn't think I had a chance but I guess I did.”

Brown and Marina Alex of Wayne, N.J., then went into a sudden-death playoff. Brown then birdied the first playoff hole to seal the win.

“I wanted to win an Open this season,” Brown said. “But winning two certainly makes me feel good.”

Alex finished alone in second at 5-over-par 221 tournament total. Julie Yang of Phoenix, and Brittany Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ontario tied for third recording 7-over-par 223 tournament totals.

The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The largest Association of its kind, the AJGA has a junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of more than 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and more than 25 countries.

Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association's success since 1989. Rolex Watch USA, which is in its third decade of AJGA support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004. In 2007, after 12 years of support, Polo Ralph Lauren became the AJGA's second Premier Partner.

AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. More than 160 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 300 wins. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Stewart Cink, Davis Love III, Cristie Kerr, Pat Hurst, Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome, Morgan Pressel and Julieta Granada.

For more information about the Fidelity Investments Junior Championship at Richter Park, please contact National Headquarters at (770) 868-4200.