NIKE GOLF JUNIOR AT HAGGIN OAKS

Haggin Oaks Golf Complex – Arcade Creek Course

Sacramento, California

August 9-12, 2004

PATIPAKSIRI’S 64 SEPARATES HIM FROM THE FIELD

  Salvo leads Girls Division at Haggin Oaks

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Andrew Patipaksiri of Cypress, Calif., distanced himself from the field, shooting an 8-under-par 64 during the second round.  One day after firing a 68, Patipaksiri now holds a seven-stroke lead in the Boys Division. Sarah Salvo of Glendale, Calif., moved atop the Girls Division, carding a 4-under-par 68.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Nike Golf Junior at Haggin Oaks is a 54-hole stroke play event, being held at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex – Arcade Creek Course. The tournament features 81 of the nation’s premier junior golfers, ages 12-15, from 8 states, Mexico and Peru, including 69 players from California.

Patipaksiri, who entered the day one stroke off the lead, took advantage of solid iron play and putting to post his career low round.  He started his day with a birdie on No. 10, and followed with birdies on Nos. 12, 13 and 16, finishing with a 32 on his front nine.  After the turn, he went on to card four more birdies, finishing with a matching 32 on the back.  Patipaksiri had six 3s on his back nine, including a birdie on the par-4 No. 5.  Patipaksiri’s approach shot hit the flagstick and landed one foot from the hole.

“I was hitting the ball well all day, and it almost went in on No. 5,” Patipaksiri said. “It landed close to the flagstick and it was an easy putt from there. Things went very well for me out there today.”

Patipaksiri’s 64 was one shot off the course record and has him in position for his first AJGA victory. His previous best finish is tied for seventh at this year’s Nike Golf Junior at Las Cruces.

“I have to concentrate on hitting fairways and greens tomorrow,” Patipaksiri said.  “I hope to keep the mistakes minimal and I really want to win a glass trophy.”

Peter Gibbs of Granite Bay, Calif., and Jimmy Cacho of Green Valley, Calif., both sit tied for second at 5-under-par 139.  Gibbs and Cacho shot matching 72s during the second round.  Josh Dupont of Poway, Calif., sits alone in fourth, after shooting a 70 for the second straight day.  Alan Lee of Lima, Peru, and Maxwell Marsico of Las Vegas, Nev., are tied for fifth at 3-under-par 141. Marsico shot a second-round 68, one day after carding a 73.

In the Girls Division, Salvo carded her career low round as well, totaling nines of 33 and 35.  She too began her day on No. 10, and birdied Nos. 13, 15, 16 on the front.  She then went on to birdie Nos. 3 and 8. She noted her play on the 153-yard par 3 No.8, as being a key point during her round.

“I knocked my 5-iron to within a foot,” Salvo said. “I hit it solid today and putted much better than yesterday.  I will be okay if I play tomorrow, like I did today.”

Salvo, who won this year’s Nike Golf Junior at Colonial presented by the Mississippi Farm Bureau, leads a group of two players, who sit two strokes back.  Lalita Patipaksiri of Cypress, Calif., and Diane Kwon of Fremont, Calif., sit at 3-under-par 141, after shooting 69 and 71 respectively.

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.

Final-round tee times will begin Thursday at 7:30 a.m. off the Nos. 1 and 10 tee at the Haggin Oak Golf Complex – Arcade Creek Course. For more information on the Nike Golf Junior at Haggin Oaks, please contact tournament headquarters at (678) 617-2426.

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