HERR, LEMP LEAD AT 3-UNDER-PAR 69 AT AJGA NORTHEAST OPEN
Hu leads the Girls Division by one stroke at Richter Park Golf Course
DANBURY, Conn. - Zachary Herr of New Hope, Pa., and Brendan Lemp of West Hartford, Conn., each sit in first place by one stroke at the AJGA Northeast Open. Bonnie Hu of Fremont, Calif., posted three birdies en route to finish 2-over-par 74 Tuesday to enter the second round in the lead at Richter Park Golf Course.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the AJGA Northeast Open is a 54-hole stroke play event held at Richter Park Golf Course. The 99 player field features players from 17 states, Canada, Columbia and South Korea. The Boys Division is playing the par-72 course at 6,607 yards, while the Girls Division is playing it at 5,994 yards.
Herr, who finished second last week at the CorseMax/Philadelphia Runner Junior after a one hole playoff. Herr carded not a single bogey to finish 2-under-par 34 on the front nine and 1-under-par 35 on the back nine.
“The hole location on No. 5 was in a tough spot,” Herr said. “I hit to the front of the green, then putted to the back of the green. I then dropped a 20-foot putt to save par.”
Herr gained a boost of confidence after making a great approach shot on No. 12.
“On No. 12 I hit my drive to the left rough. My next shot went to the right of the trees,” Herr said. “I missed my putt but my approach shot to three feet from the hole built my confidence for the rest of the round.”
Lemp, who gained entry in to the tournament through the K12 Qualifier Sunday posted birdies on Nos. 2, 4, 8 , 9, 12, 15 and 18 to finish 3-under-par 69.
“On No. 12 I made a 30 foot putt for birdie,” Lemp said. “I made a lot of long putts and mostly all my putts that were within 10-feet.”
Lemp felt the course played tough today and the greens were fast and firm but was able to only card 28 putts to take a share of the lead.
Tied in third at 2-under-par 70 is Daniel Berger of Jupiter, Fla., and Sean Gaudette of South Hadley, Mass. Rounding out the top five in the Boys Division is Jeff Wibawa of Encino, Calif., at 1-under-par 71.
Hu played steady and putted well to make birdies on Nos. 3, 11, and 17 to post 1-over-36 on the front nine and back nine.
“On No. 2 I hit a 30 foot putt for birdie,” Hu said. “I sunk a lot of 5-6 foot putts for par.”
Daniela Lendl of Brandenton, Fla., is in second at 3-over-par 75. Crystal Lee of Mahwah, N.J., and Ellen Ceresko of Jefferson Township, Pa., are tied in third after posting first round score of 5-over-par 77.
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 approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 50 states and 30 foreign countries.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. More than 200 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 350 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.
Second-round tee times will run from 7:15 a.m. — 12:35 a.m. off the No. 1 tee at Richter Park Golf Course. For more information, please contact Tournament Headquarters at (203) 792-2550 Ext. 17 or visit ajga.org.
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