JACOBS HOLDS ONTO TOP SPOT IN BOYS DIVISION, LEADING BY ONE AT TRUE TEMPER/DAVID GOSSETT JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
Nielson charges ahead in Girls Division, shooting two-day 151

Memphis, Tenn. — Mason Jacobs of Metropolis, Ill., shot even-par on 14 of 18 holes to shoot 76 for the day and 144 for a two-day total. In the Girls Division, Nashville, Tenn., native Calle Nielson took a two-stroke lead, shooting a 5-over-par 76, and two-day 151 total.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the True Temper/David Gossett Junior Championship is being held at TPC Southwind. The par-71 course is set up at 6,829 yards for the Boys Division and 5,926 yards for the Girls Division. The tournament field consists of 63 boys and 21 girls, ages 12-18, representing 19 states and British Columbia, including 19 Tennessee residents.

Jacobs, who began golfing competitively at age 14, played the course consistently for the majority of the day, but was challenged by hole Nos. 9 and 14, which eventually led to his 5-over-par score of 76. In addition, Jacobs hit good shots throughout the day, and felt he played well overall.

“I hit a lot of good golf shots today,” said Jacobs. “I'm going to try and do the same thing in the final round as I did the first two days. I have the same game plan in mind. I'm going to try and hit a lot of greens and try not to have any bad holes.”

Jacobs, who is a 2008 graduate, feels confident in his play, and is excited to be leading heading into the final round.

“It'd be awesome to win,” said Jacobs. “To be fully exempt would be a great feeling. A win here would be my biggest win yet, besides winning at state.”

Two boys stand tied for second heading into the final round. Scott Langley of Ballwin, Mo., and Rob Campbell of Nashville, shot scores of 74 and 76, respectively, for a two-day total of 145. Kyle Peterman of Sherman, Ill., carded a 77, while Jack Belote of Bartlett, Tenn., fired a 1-over-par 72, for a combined score of 148. Both stand tied for fourth, just four shots off the leader.

Nielson birdied her first hole of the day, No. 10, and later added additional birdies, on hole Nos. 18, 5 and 7, each contributing to her 5-over-par 76 score, and two-day 151 total. The 18-year-old, whose previous best AJGA finish was second place at the 2006 AJGA Craig Ranch Junior in McKinney, Texas, said she hit more fairways and greens than the first round, but had a problem getting up and down. As for leading the division after round two, Nielson said she has never experienced the feeling before, but is excited to see what happens Thursday.

“It's weird,” said Nielson. “I've never done this before, where I was leading in an AJGA tournament. I've usually been the one catching up. I'm excited, and plan to play my game tomorrow, and not worry about the other players.”

Kellye Belcher of Bartlett, shot an even-par 36 on the front nine and a 5-over-par 40 on the back nine, totaling 76. After two days, Belcher stands in second place, just two strokes off the leader, holding a 153 total. In third place is Kelsey Lindenschmidt of West Chester, Ohio, who carded a two-day total of 155.

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.

Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association's success since 1989. Rolex Watch USA, which enters 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 160 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 300 wins. AJGA alumni include Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Davis Love III, Mike Weir, Charles Howell III, Jim Furyk, Candie Kung, Grace Park, Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer.

Final-round tee times will run from 7:30 a.m. — 9:27 p.m. off the Nos. 1 and 10 tees at TPC Southwind on Thursday. For more information on the True Temper/David Gossett Junior Championship, please call AJGA tournament headquarters at 901-748-0534.