AHN AND KOLLER TIED FOR LEAD AT NIKE GOLF JUNIOR AT JACKSONVILLE
Andrews has two stroke lead in Boys Division
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Eugene Ahn of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Nicole Koller of Lewisburg, Ky., shot even-par 72s to be tied for the lead after one round of the Nike Golf Junior at Jacksonville. Bo Andrews of Raleigh, N.C., shot a 3-under-par 69 for a 2-shot lead, in the Boys Division.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Nike Golf Junior at Jacksonville is a 54-hole tournament that hosts a field of 82 players. The field consists of 15 girls and 67 boys and represents Australia, Mexico and 19 states.
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 competition 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, Sept.1 - 3, 2006 in Aurora, Ore.
In the Girls Division Ahn and Koller have a 2-stroke lead going into the Second Round after carding matching 72s.
Ahn's round included six birdies.
“I'm happy with how I played,” said Ahn. “I just want to concentrate on not making mistakes and just playing my best.”
Koller made three birdies to solidify her position as co-leader. Koller,15, is playing in her first, last, and only Nike Golf Junior All-Star Series since she will be 16 years old next month.
“I always play one shot at a time,” said Koller. “It's important to just play your game. On this course the key for me will be the greens and my putting.”
Two-shots behind the leaders is Zakiya Randall of Atlanta, who carded 74. Following Randall is Cheyenne Hickle of Gilbert Ariz., who shot a 3-over-par 75. Andrews leads the Boys Division by two shots after making five birdies in the opening round. Andrews got momentum going into the turn by making back-to-back birdies on hole Nos. 7 and 8.
“Today went well,” said Andrews. “I putted well and I think whoever makes the most putts ought to win it.”
Following Andrews in a three-way tie at 71 are Jay Woodward of Bridgeport, W.Va., Brian Fragakis of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., and Peter Meeks of Sarasota, Fla. Tied for fifth place at even-par 72 are Kevin Lee of Dacula, Ga., Michael Cromie of Cary, N.C., Taylor Stevenson of Port Orange, Fla., and Nick Austin, Midlothian, Va.
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.
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 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.
Second Round tee times begin at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday at Paradise Point Golf Course-Gold Course. For more information call (910)451-6992.
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