BEALL COMES FROM SIX STROKES BACK TO WIN IN PLAYOFF
Aoki wins Girls Division by seven strokes

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas — Tye Beall of El Paso, Texas, beat Jordan Rumora of Houston, Texas, in a one-hole playoff to earn the Nike Golf Junior at South Padre Island Boys Division title. Serena Aoki of Gunma-Ken, Japan, shot a final-round 77 to win the Girls Division by seven strokes.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Nike Golf Junior at South Padre Island was held at South Padre Island Golf Club in South Padre Island, Texas. Part of the Nike Golf Junior All-Star Series, the Nike Golf Junior at South Padre Island was a 36-hole stroke play event consisting of 60 boys and 18 girls, ages 12-15, from 21 states, Japan, Mexico, and Canada. The par-72 golf course played to 6,776 yards for the boys and 5,851 for the girls.

After starting the day four strokes off the lead, Beall made two birdies and an eagle on the front-nine to propel himself to an even-par final round, a tournament total of 148.

“I knew I played well, but I didn't think my score would hold up,” said Beall. “I felt less pressure not being in the last group, I had nothing to lose.”

Beall made par on the first playoff hole to earn a victory in his first ever AJGA event.

Jordan Rumora of Houston, Texas, finished second with a tournament total of 148. David James of Warren, Mich., Juan Pablo Hernandez of Mexico City, and Matthew Ceravolo of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., finished tied for third with totals of 149.

Aoki, who started the day with a 4-shot lead, held strong in the windy conditions to earn the Girls Division title with a 7-shot victory.

“I am so happy I won,” said Aoki. “I am looking forward to playing more AJGA events in the future.”

Jessica Wallace of Langley, British Columbia, and Victoria Fallgren of Lakewood, Calif., finished tied for second with matching 154s.

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 Nike Golf Junior All-Star Series is a collection of 10 events specifically designed for boys and girls ages 12 — 15 years old. The competitions provides an opportunity for younger members to develop their skills and earn entry into open tournaments The series concludes with an invitation-only Nike Golf Junior Championship, September 1 — 3, 2006, at Langdon Farms Golf Club in Aurora, Ore.

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.

For more information on the Nike Golf Junior at South Padre Island, please contact AJGA National Headquarters at 877.373.2542.