FOUR TIED FOR BOYS DIVISION LEAD AT EMERSON JUNIOR GOLF CLASSIC
Frasier leads Girls Division by one stroke at Carlton Oaks Country Club

SANTEE, Calif. — Gregory Petchakan of Encino, Calif., John Young Kim of Los Alamitos, Calif., Benjamin Thorseth of Richmond, Texas, and Joseph Stewart of Palm Desert, Calif., all recorded 1-under-par 71s to share the lead after the first round of the Emerson Junior Golf Classic. Danielle Frasier of Encinitas, Calif., also shot a 1-under-par 71 to take the lead in the Girls Division Tuesday at Carlton Oaks Country Club.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Emerson Junior Golf Classic is a 54-hole stroke-play event being held at Carlton Oaks Country Club. The tournament field consists of 75 boys and 24 girls, ages 12-18, from seven states and China. Eighty-five hail from the home state of California. The Boys Division is playing the par-72 layout at 7,003 yards, while the Girls Division is playing at 6,152 yards.

Petchakan was worried that his round wasn't going to turn out well after he carded a 2-over-par 38 on the front nine. At best, he thought he would be able to finish the day 4-over-par. However, things started to go his way after a birdie on No. 15.

“It was a 10-foot putt that just went in and that started it,” Petchakan said. “On No. 16 my drive went well and I had a bad lie, but then I hit it straight at the pin and was able to make the putt. Then on No. 17 my chip went in for birdie.”

Kim was able to card four birdies on the day but felt that none of them were especially lucky.

“I just kept hitting it close and was able to tap it in,” Kim said. “Tomorrow I don't want to think about being one of the leaders. That has messed me up before and I can't make that mistake again.”

Chris Williams of Moscow, Idaho, Yi Keun Chang of Walnut, Calif., Alex Bungert of Orange, Calif., Trace Libby of Oceanside, Calif., and Robbie Mamo of Apple Valley, Calif., are all tied for fifth with even-par 72s.

In the Girls Division, Frasier shot an even-par 36 on the front nine but found her momentum after her 30-foot uphill putt for birdie on the par-5 15th. She continued to card birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 to finish with a 1-under-par 35 on the back nine. The 15-year-old, who participated in last week's Canon Cup as a member of the West Team, is a little tired after last week's 30-20 victory.

“I learned so much last week,” Frasier said. “I had the chance to caddie for Cameron Peck and watch all the guys play. I am a little tired but I wanted to play this week because we're in San Diego and I want to support the AJGA here.”

Esther Lee of Los Alamitos, is in second after recording an even-par 72. Sitting one stroke behind Lee is Monica Petchakan of Encino, with a 1-over-par 73.

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.

Tee times for the second round of the Emerson Junior Golf Classic will run from 7 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. off the No. 1 tee at Carlton Oaks Country Club Wednesday, August 6. For more information, please contact Tournament Director Chris White at (770) 601-5196.