ASHWORTH JUNIOR AT DIABLO GRANDE

Diablo Grande – Legends West Course

Patterson, California

March 19-21, 2004

RHONE TAKES HOME FIRST PLACE AT FIRST AJGA EVENT

McCready finishes one stroke behind

PATTERSON, Calif. -- Dustin Rhone of Culver City, Calif., climbed from a two-way tie for fifth place following a first round 72, to win his first AJGA event, the Ashworth Junior at Diablo Grande, with  a final round three-under-par 69 and a two-day total of 141.  The 14-year-old Rhone kept his scorecard clean with only one bogey in the final round of the tournament.  

The fourth-annual Ashworth Junior at Diablo Grande is a 36-hole stroke play event conducted by the American Junior Golf Association at Diablo Grande’s Legends West Course.  The tournament featured 87 players from 10 states. 

The AJGA’s Ashworth Junior Series is designed specifically for first-time AJGA members or those members who have not yet participated in an AJGA Open event, AJGA Invitational or Nike Junior All-Star Series event in the current calendar year and/or the previous calendar year. 

Rhone’s eight-foot downhill putt on No. 12 for par gave him the boost he needed to win the tournament.  Rhone also attributes his win to solid play on the par-3 and par-4 holes.

“There are some tough par-3s out there.  I was able to save par, which helped me score well,” Rhone said. 

Rhone was impressed with the competition at the tournament.  His prior tournament experience consists of only playing in local California junior events. 

“The competition is so much better here,” Rhone said.  “These are all great players, it’s an honor to play here and win.  You don’t get competition like this at local courses.  I have been dreaming about playing in these tournaments since I was young.”

Only one-stroke behind the leader, the 16-year-old Kenneth McCready of Placerville, Calif., shot one-under-par in the final round of the tournament to finish in second place with a two-day total of two-under-par 142.  McCready was in a three-way tie for second place entering the final round of the event.  

            
McCready birdied the par-4 first hole, which is one of the most difficult holes on the course, both days of the tournament.  In the final round he made a 35-foot putt on No. 1 for birdie.  He recorded four birdies in the final round of the tournament.  This is McCready’s second time competing at the Ashworth Junior at Diablo Grande.

           
Finishing one-stroke behind McCready was Dane Jensen of Pleasant Grove, Utah, and tying for fourth place with a two-round total of 144 were Grant Doverspike of Bakersfield, Calif., Erik Jarvey of Palmdale, Calif., and Pat Murphy of Pleasanton, Calif. 

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 has a 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, a supporter of the AJGA since 1983, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004.

For more information about the Ashworth Junior at Diablo Grande, please contact the AJGA National Headquarters at (770) 868-4200.