Wooley a Winner at the Preseason Junior at Emerald Falls
Grogan medals in the Girls Division at Emerald Falls Golf Club
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — Christopher Wooley of Spring, Texas, shot a 9-over-par 153 to earn medalist honors in his first American Junior Golf Association event at the Preseason Junior at Emerald Falls. Lauren Grogan of Columbus, Ohio, came out on top in the Girls Division with a 16-over-par 160.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Preseason Junior at Emerald Falls featured 74 boys and 18 girls, ages 12-18, from 23 states, Canada and Thailand. The 36-hole stroke play event was held at the par-72 Emerald Falls Golf Club. The Boys Division played the course at 6,734 yards, while the Girls Division played at 5,738 yards.
The Preseason Junior at Emerald Falls is one of eight events held as part of the Golf Academy of America Preseason Junior Series. The Golf Academy of America Preseason Junior Series is a series designed specifically for first-time AJGA members or those members who have not yet been accepted to or participated in an AJGA event in the current calendar year and/or the previous calendar year.
Wooley played the front nine steadily, shooting a 1-over-par 37. He bounced back from a rocky three hole stretch by parring the last three holes, earning him a one-stroke victory. Weather was a factor all day, as players battled high winds, cold temperatures and rain. Wooley acknowledged the need to change his style of play due to the conditions.
“I had to try to play a low cut into the holes,” Wooley said. “This is my first AJGA tournament, and this gives me great momentum going into the summer.”
Mitchell Rutledge of St. Louis finished in second at 10-over-par 154. First-round leader Cameron Davison of Duncan, B.C., tied for third at 12-over-par 156 with Cy Moritz of Owensville, Mo., and Drew Trujillo of Montrose, Colo.
In the Girls Division, Grogan finished her round strong with four consecutive pars. A first-round co-leader, Grogan tied for the low Girls Division score of the day with an 82. Consistent putting helped her earn her first AJGA victory.
“I made some good putts to save par,” Grogan said. “This course is challenging and placement is key. You have to know what club to play and know your game.”
Broken Arrow native Brinlee Denison finished three shots back in second at 163. Juliette Garay of La Jolla, Calif., finished third at 166.
GOLF ACADEMY OF AMERICA, with campuses located in San Diego, Phoenix, Orlando and Myrtle Beach, is the oldest and largest two-year golf career college in the world. GAA's 16-month program balances classroom studies, practical experience and comprehensive understanding of the business of golf. For more information, call 800-342-7342 or visit http://www.golfacademy.edu.
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 provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships, and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and 30 countries. To ensure scholarship opportunities for all junior golfers who have the skill, the AJGA created the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program to provide financial assistance to young players in need.
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. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 400 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Stewart Cink, Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel.
For more information about the Preseason Junior at Emerald Falls, please contact AJGA National Headquarters at (770) 868-4200.
