FORTADES POSTS PERSONAL BEST, WINS WITH 1-UNDER-PAR 141
Arcala claims victory with 149 tournament total

LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. — Marco Fortades of Glendale, Calif., posted a 1-under-par 141 tournament total to win the Medicus Postseason Junior at Lake Havasu. Stephanie Arcala of Oceanside, Calif., won the Girls Division title after shooting 75-74—149.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Medicus Postseason Junior at Lake Havasu was played at The Refuge Golf Club. Part of the Medicus Preseason/Postseason Junior Series, the tournament was a 36-hole stroke play event consisting of 64 boys and 11 girls from 15 states and two countries.

Fortades wasn't out to win--he came to the tournament with the goal to make the top-10. Playing in his first AJGA event, the 13-year-old admitted he was a little nervous and also aware of his talented competition. However, he kept a consistent mindset throughout the round that kept him focused.

“Just play my game,” he stated. “Just hang in there and make par.”

With five birdies, including a final birdie on No.18 to finish the round, Fortades emphasized his putting as reason for his 3-under-par 68. Firing his lowest competitive round, Fortades complimented The Refuge Golf Club on their true greens. Fortades was speechless as he searched for words to describe his win.

“I can't believe it,” he said. “I didn't know I could do it.”

Bradford Thomas of San Anselmo, Calif., came in second after posting the low final round of 4-under-par 67 for an even-par 142 tournament total. Dan Geis of El Segundo, Calif., placed third with a 143 tournament total. In a three-way tie for fourth were Robert Quick of Littleton, Colo., Cole Pensanti of Oak Park, Calif., and Seungrok Cheon of Kyeonggido, South Korea, all with matching 144 tournament totals.

Sitting in a close second-place position after the first round, Arcala focused on her 1-under-par back nine from day one, which gave her confidence going into the final round.

“I told myself to keep all the good thoughts from yesterday,” she said. “I tried not to get too excited or ahead of myself.”

Although Arcala started her round with three bogeys, she was determined to play to the best of her ability. An even-par 35 on the back nine left her at 3-over-par 74 for the day. The 17-year-old gave credit to her putting, as well as hitting 13 greens and 13 fairways.

“It's exciting because it's my first win and actually my last year of playing as a junior, so I'm really proud,” she said.

In the Girls Division, Maria Angelica Villareal of Vista, Calif., took second place after posting a 152 tournament total and Jessica Uem of Mount Laurel, New Jersey shot a 153 tournament total for third.

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.

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 200 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 280 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 Medicus Postseason Junior at Lake Havasu, or any tournament, contact AJGA National Headquarters at (770) 868-4200.

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