BLAIR, BROWN CLAIM MEDALIST HONORS IN SRIXON QUALIFIER

DANBURY, Conn. — Ryan Blair of Center Valley, Pa., took medalist honors in the Fidelity Investments Junior Championship at Richter Park Srixon Qualifier recording a 4-under-par 68. Sarah Brown of Stewartsville, N.J., received medalist honors in the Girls Division posting a 1-under-par 71.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Fidelity Investments Junior Championship at Richter Park Srixon Qualifier Series was an 18-hole stroke play event held at Richter Park Golf Course. The 100-player field featured players from 13 states, Mexico and Canada. The par-72 course played at 6,647 yards for the Boys Division and 5,981 yards for the Girls Division.

Blair said the best part of his game today was his wedge play.

“I holed out on No. 8 from about 120 feet for eagle-that helped get me started,” Blair said. “I birdied a lot of holes after that.”

Blair said medaling in the qualifier gives him confidence going into the tournament, especially considering it is on the same course.

“Knowing I can shoot a good number on the course boosts my confidence a lot,” Blair said.

Eight other boys qualified for this week's event. Sam Weiss of Rye, N.Y., fired a 2-under-par 70. Hunter Stone of South Deerfield, Mass., posted a 1-under-par 71. Branden Chicorka of Enfield, Conn., and David Pastore of Greenwich, Conn., both carded even-par 72. Jonathan Renza of Cortlandt Manor, N.Y., carded a 1-over-par 73, while Adam Vaccari of Winsted, Conn., came in with a 2-over-par 74. David Brown of Stewartsville, N.J., posted a 3-over-par 75. Matthew Porter of Cortland, N.Y., recorded a 4-over-par 76 and won a sudden-death playoff to qualify.

Qualifying but opting to take a Tournament Exemption in lieu of playing in this week's event were Geoff Vartelas of Cromwell, Conn., carding a 2-over-par 74 and Taylor Peck of Westwood, Mass., posting a 3-over-par 75.

In the Girls Division, Brown, 15, said coming into the qualifier, she hadn't been playing well and wanted to make it through the week.

“My goal was to shoot even-par or under-par,” Brown said. “That will help me have confidence going into the tournament.”

Harin Lee of Bayside, N.Y., posted a 6-over-par 78 to round out the Girls Division qualifiers in the Fidelity Investments Junior Championship at Richter Park.

SRIXON Sports USA, Inc., based in Lawrenceville, Ga., has been distributing premium golf balls and equipment in the U.S. since 1997 and is a subsidiary of SRI Sports Limited. SRI Sports Limited is the number one golf club manufacturer in the world's second largest market, Japan, and is one of the world's leading patent holders in golf ball technology. SRIXON golf balls earned 26 tournament victories on multiple professional tours around the world in 2006.

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.

First-round tee times will run from 7:00 - 8:57 a.m. Tuesday off the Nos. 1 and 10 tees. For more information about the Fidelity Investments Junior Championship at Richter Park, please contact tournament headquarters at (203) 792-2550 ext. 17.