PATEL LEADS MIDWEST JUNIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP WITH 69
Schachner atop Girls Division leaderboard after first round
LONG GROVE, Ill. — Ravi Patel of Naperville, Ill., and Nicole Schachner of Libertyville, Ill. topped the leaderboard after first round action of the Midwest Junior Players Championship Tuesday. Ravi shot an opening round 3-under-par 69, while Schachner holds a one-stroke lead in the Girls Division after firing a 4-over-par 76.
The Midwest Junior Players Championship is a 54-hole tournament conducted by the American Junior Golf Association at Twin Orchard Country Club's Red Course in Long Grove, Ill. The 99 participant field boasts juniors from 19 states, Thailand and Canada.
Patel, who is in search of his first ever AJGA title, used seven birdies, including a chip-in on the final hole to secure a one shot lead.
“This is the first tournament I have led,” Patel said. “After playing in six tournaments before, taking the lead in this one feels great. I didn't get into a lot of trouble. Any problems I did have, I made my way out in decent shape.”
Brady Keegan of Eau Claire, Wis., finished the day with a 2-under-par 70 to sit alone in second. Steve Ziegler of Broomfield, Colo., and Scott Langley of Ballwin, Mo., both carded 1-under-par 71s to tie for third, while Nate Barbee of Dakota Dunes, S.D. sits in fifth place with an even par 72.
Schachner used a strong performance with her putter along with consistent play from the fairway to secure a one stroke lead on a very challenging course.
“My putting was great,” Schachner said. “The course here is in amazing shape, especially the greens. My drives need a little work, but other than that everything is good.”
Tied for second in the Girls Division with 5-over-par 77s were Julia Potter of Granger, Ind., Nathada Huachai of Bangkok, Thailand, and Joanna Coe of Mays Landing, N.J.
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 a junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 50 states and 30 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, 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 compiled 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.
The second round will be a 7 a.m. start off the No. 1 tee at the Twin Orchard Country Club's Red Course on Wednesday. For more information about the Midwest Junior Players Championship, please contact tournament headquarters at 847-634-3800.
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