Davison Leads After First Round of Preseason Junior at Emerald Falls
Grogan and Slane stand tied in the Girls Division at Emerald Falls Golf Club

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — Cameron Davison of Duncan, British Columbia, shot a 2-over-par 74 Saturday to claim a one-stroke lead in the Boys Division at the Preseason Junior at Emerald Falls. After playing together in the practice round Friday, Lauren Grogan of Columbus, Ohio, and Andrea Slane of Temecula, Calif., will play together again in the final round after tying for the lead in the Girls Division at 6-over-par 78.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Preseason Junior at Emerald Falls features 92 boys and girls, ages 12-18, from 23 states, Canada and Thailand. The 36-hole stroke play event is being held at the par-72 Emerald Falls Golf Club. The Boys Division is playing the course at 6,901 yards while the Girls Division is playing at 5,849 yards.

The Preseason Junior at Emerald Falls is one of eight events held as part of the Golf Academy of America Preseason Junior Series. The Golf Academy of America Preseason Junior Series is a series designed specifically for first-time AJGA members or those members who have not yet been accepted to or participated in an AJGA event in the current calendar year and/or the previous calendar year.

Davison played steadily throughout the day, relying on his long drives and strong irons to propel him into the lead. He credits his low score to staying out of the many hazards at Emerald Falls Golf Club. Playing in his first AJGA event, Davison caught momentum from a great shot early in his round.

“I hit a good shot on No. 2 that boosted my confidence,” Davison said about the 141-yard par 3. “I hit it to about three feet. After that, I knew I could do it.”

Christopher Wooley of Spring, Texas, sits one shot back of Davison with a 3-over-par 75. Scott Newell of Katy, Texas, and Drew Trujillo of Montrose, Colo., are tied for third at 4-over-par 76. Tied for fifth at 5-over-par 77 are Max Mcgreevy of Edmond, Okla., Brogan Lopez of Germantown, Tenn., Cy Moritz of Owensville, Mo., and Mitchell Rutledge of St. Louis.

In the Girls Division, Grogan made putts to save par throughout the day, but it was a long birdie putt on the par-4 17th that helped her grab a share of the lead.

“I kept my head up,” Grogan said, praising her mental game. “I am excited for tomorrow because I know what I can do to play better.”

Slane made a clutch 12-footer for par on No. 5. The momentum from that hole stuck with her as she parred six of her final seven holes.

“I hope to keep making the same putts tomorrow,” Slane said. “I want to straighten out my driver and keep hitting the fairways like I did today.”

Local Brinlee Denison of Broken Arrow scored 9-over-par 81 to sit in third going into Sunday's final round.

GOLF ACADEMY OF AMERICA, with campuses located in San Diego, Phoenix, Orlando and Myrtle Beach, is the oldest and largest two-year golf career college in the world. GAA's 16-month program balances classroom studies, practical experience and comprehensive understanding of the business of golf. For more information, call 800-342-7342 or visit http://www.golfacademy.edu.

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 AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships, and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and 30 countries. To ensure scholarship opportunities for all junior golfers who have the skill, the AJGA created the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program to provide financial assistance to young players in need.

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. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 400 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Stewart Cink, Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel.

The final-round shotgun will be at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, April 18, at Emerald Falls Golf Club. For more information about the Preseason Junior at Emerald Falls, please contact tournament headquarters at (678) 617-2417.