FLORIDA NATIVE GRAHAM FINDS THE PIECES TO THE BLACK BEAR PUZZLE
Windy day keeps the birdies away at Medicus Preseason Junior at Black Bear

EUSTIS, Fla. — Through the wind Wesley Graham of Port Orange, Fla., put together an even-par 72 to lead after the first round of the Medicus Preseason Junior at Black Bear.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Medicus Preseason Junior at Black Bear is being held at Black Bear Golf Club in Eustis, Fla. Part of the Medicus Preseason/Postseason Junior Series, the tournament is a 36-hole stroke play event and consists of 72 boys, ages 12-18, from 19 states and Canada. The par-72 golf course is playing to 6,867 yards.

Large, undulating greens mixed with dry conditions proved to be a tough test for the 72 junior golfers. Graham shot 40 on the front and then followed it up with a strong 4-under-par 32 on the back. Being a shotgun, he started on No. 2, and was 1-under par after No. 4. Following his birdie on No. 4, he tripled the par-3 fifth.

“I put together a 32 on the back, but my ball striking and my putting could still use some work,” said first-round leader Graham.

Graham finished his round with five birdies, four of them coming on the back nine.

In second place is George Letson of Tampa, Fla., who shot a 1-over-par 73. Anchored by two birdies on his round Saturday, Letson finds himself one shot off the first-round lead.

Tied for third are Bradley Freed of Weston, Fla., Major Forbess of Jacksonville, Fla., and Julian Suri of St. Augustine, Fla., who all shot 2-over-par 74.

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, the largest Association of its kind, has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 50 states and 30 foreign countries.

The Medicus Preseason/Postseason Series is designed for new AJGA members or members who have yet to play in an AJGA event. The series provides an opportunity for members to gain status in Performance Based Entry, which in turn will increase their ability to play in future AJGA events.

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 support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004.

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 compiles more than 300 wins. AJGA alumni include Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Davis Love III, Mike Weir, Charles Howell III, Jim Furyk, Grace Park, Cristie Kerr, Candie Kung and Paula Creamer.

Final-round tee times begin at 8 a.m. Sunday off Nos. 1 and 10 tees at Black Bear Golf Club. For more information on the Medicus Preseason Junior at Black Bear, please contact tournament headquarters at (352) 357-4732.