YANG GOES WIRE-TO-WIRE TO CLAIM GIRLS DIVISION TITLE BY 16 STROKES
Droemer's 3-under-par 213 good for a 12-shot victory in the Boys Division at the AJGA Arkansas Junior at Blessings

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Julie Yang of Phoenix, finished 16 strokes ahead of the nearest competitor in the Girls Division at 2-under-par 214. Jesse Droemer of Sealy, Texas, posted three birdies on the back nine to help him win the AJGA Arkansas Junior at Blessings by 12 strokes.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the AJGA Arkansas Junior at Blessings was a 54-hole stroke play event held at Blessings Golf Club. The tournament field consisted of 95 players, 72 boys and 23 girls, from 15 states. The Boys Division was played the par-72 course at 6,832 yards and the Girls Division was played at 5,812 yards.

Winning is nothing new for 13-year-old Yang who recently won two other AJGA open events earlier this year. Carding a 72-72-70—214, Yang was the only player in the Girls Division to finish under-par.

“I went out there and hoped to shoot even-par,” Yang said. “This is better than I expected.”

Yang has worked hard on her putting, and with no three-putts during the tournament, she credits her work on the greens to her success.

“Normally, I wouldn't say I'm a good putter,” she said. “I practiced my putting, and tried to figure out why I wasn't doing as well as I should. Finally, I realized it was because I kept telling myself I wasn't good. I came in confident that I was a good putter, and I think it shows."

Emma Lavy of Fayetteville, Ark., finished second at 14-over-par 230. Rounding out the top three in the Girls Division at 16-over-par 232 was Sarah Beth Davis of Victoria, Texas.

Droemer used birdies on Nos. 11, 16, and 17, to help him win the Boys Division by 12 strokes. He credits his victory to his short game.

“My irons helped me today, I wasn't missing greens,” Droemer said. “On No. 14, I had a bad drive, which put me in a tough chip-shot position, but I was able to almost hole-out. That helped with my confidence.”

Going into the final round as the leader, Droemer was able to keep his lead and win his first AJGA tournament title.

“It feels great to have won today,” Droemer said. “I am speechless, not only to have won, but to be the only boy under par. It is a great feeling.”

C.J. Kim of Chandler, Ariz., finished second carding a 9-over-par 225. In third at 10-over-par 226 was Colton Staggs of Tulsa, Okla. A three-way tie for fourth at 11-over-par 227 was Matthew Lamb of South Bend, Ind., Sean Romero of Texarkana, Ark., and Seth Sullivant of Mountain Home, Ark.

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 an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of more than 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and more than 25 foreign 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 AJGA Arkansas Junior at Blessings please contact National Headquarters at 770-868-4200.

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