KORTE CLAIMS LEAD AT DALHOUSIE GOLF CLUB BY BLASTING AN 8-UNDER-PAR 64
McKim's 1-under-par 71 leads Girls Division at Dalhousie Junior Championship

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Dustin Korte of Metropolis, Ill., set the competitive-course record at the Dalhousie Junior Championship Tuesday, shooting 8-under-par 64. Courtney McKim of Raleigh, N.C., who finished tenth in last year's event, leads the Girls Division by one stroke with a 1-under-par 71 at Dalhousie Golf Club.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Dalhousie Junior Championship is a 54-hole stroke play event (36-hole cut) being held at Dalhousie Golf Club. The tournament field features 105 boys and 38 girls, ages 12-18, from 26 states and Canada. The Boys Division is playing the par-72 course at 6,935 yards, while the Girls Division is playing the course at 6,049 yards.

Korte, in his second career AJGA event, captured a three-stroke lead, totaling only 23 putts. He carded eight birdies on Nos. 2, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15. After leading through 17 holes, he made an eagle on No. 18, hitting a 7-iron from 174 yards, catching the fringe and sinking a 14-foot putt. Korte never expected to post his career low competitive round on such a challenging golf course.

“It's a tough course,” the rising senior said. “I was even after seven holes and then I went unconscious until I woke up at No. 18. I would have been happy with 6-under-par but I eagled No.18.”

Holding the second spot is Marshall Talkington of Jackson, Tenn., at 5-under-par 67. David Erdy of Boonville, Ind., Jordan McLaurin of Ironton, Mo., and Kyle Wilshire of Georgetown, Ky., are tied for third at 2-under-par 70.

In the Girls Division, McKim is in the hunt for back-to-back victories after a win at the Randy Wise Junior Open in Michigan last week. On this course she will take all the lucky breaks she can and one came on the par-3 No. 5 where her tee shot kicked off the side of a hill to the right of the green and settled within five inches of the hole. She had three birdies, including one on No. 5 and one on her favorite hole at Dalhousie Golf Club, No.18.

“I like the green,” McKim said. “It's a tough golf course, it could come up and bite you anytime so I'm not thinking about anything but going out tomorrow and playing my game.”

Sitting in second place is Summar Roachell of Conway, Ark., shooting even-par 72. In third is Bonnie Hu of Fremont, Calif., at 1-over-par 73.

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 an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of more than 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and more than 25 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 AJGA support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004. In 2007, after 12 years of support, Polo Ralph Lauren became the AJGA's second Premier Partner.

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 Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Stewart Cink, Davis Love III, Cristie Kerr, Pat Hurst, Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome, Morgan Pressel and Julieta Granada.

The second round of the Dalhousie Junior Championship is Wednesday, August 13 with tee times running off the Nos. 1 and 10 tees from 7 — 8:39 a.m. and from noon — 1:39 p.m. For more information about the Dalhousie Junior Championship, please contact Tournament Headquarters at (770) 601-8922.