ELLIS NAMED CHAMPION AT THE JOHN DEER CLASSIC JUNIOR OPEN
Talley takes top honors in Girls Division by 11 strokes at Glynns Creek Golf Course

LONG GROVE, Iowa — Alex Ellis of Austin, Texas, finished strong after carding 1-under-par 71 in the final round to take top honors in the Boys Division at the John Deere Classic Junior Open on Thursday. Emma Talley of Princeton, Ky., posted a final-round score of 70 to finish at 7-under-par 209 in the Girls Division.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the John Deere Classic Junior Open at Glynns Creek Golf Course was a 54-hole stroke play event held at Glynns Creek Golf Course. The tournament field consisted of 117 boys and 27 girls, ages 12-18, from 24 states, Columbia and Canada. The par-72 course was played at 7,005 yards for the Boys Division and 6,148 yards for the Girls Division.

Ellis, 17, stayed patient in the final round which led him to his first AJGA title after compiling two top-10 finishes in AJGA events. He placed fourth in the 2008 John Deere Classic Junior Open.

“My best shot was on No. 5 which set me up for my first birdie of the day,” said Ellis.

Ellis carded a tournament total of 7-under-par 209 to win the Boys Division by three strokes.

Patrick Rogers of Avon, Ind., and David Smith of Plymouth, Minn., each finished tied for second with a 4-under-par 212. Jonathan Hauter of Morton, Ill., finished in sole possession of fourth place after carding 1-under-par 215. Rounding out the top five at even-par 216s are Ian Vandersee of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Tanner Kesterson of Plano, Texas.

In the Girls Division, Talley played strong in all three rounds to capture her first AJGA Open title, besting her components by 11 strokes. Prior to the win, Talley compiled nine top-five finishes in AJGA events.

“My first birdie today helped me after getting off to a rough start. To win with all three rounds under par is amazing,” said 15-year-old Talley. “I am very proud of my rounds this week.”

Tied for second at 4-over-par 220 are Pamela Burneski of Surrey, British Columbia and Ember Schuldt of Sterling, Ill.

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 an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of more than 5,000 junior golfers from 50 states and more than 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 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. More than 200 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 350 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.

For more information about the John Deere Classic Junior Open please contact AJGA National Headquarters at (770) 868-4200.