HERR TAKES CONTROL OF LEAD AT AJGA NORTHEAST OPEN
Hu extends lead to seven strokes in the Girls Division at Richter Park Golf Course

DANBURY, Conn. — Zachary Herr, 14, of New Hope, Pa., maintained his one stroke lead Wednesday after carding a 2-under-par 70 going into the final round of the AJGA Northeast Open. Bonnie Hu, 17, of Fremont, Calif., continues to lead in the Girls Division with a two round total of even-par 144.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the AJGA Northeast Open is a 54-hole stroke play event held at Richter Park Golf Course in Danbury, Conn. The field features 75 boys and 24 girls, ages 12-18, from 17 states, Canada, Columbia and South Korea. The par-72 course is being played at 6,607 yards for the Boys Division and 5,994 yards for the Girls Division.

Herr was hitting his irons well, allowing him the opportunity to make birdies and pars, not to mention an eagle. On the par-5 518 yard second hole, Herr pulled a 6-iron and nailed his second shot to seven feet, allowing Herr to make an easy eagle putt. Herr was able to hit 15 fairways and 14 greens allowing him to make par or better on 16 holes, including birdies on Nos. 5 and 7. Herr, the second youngest boy in the field, heads into the final round at 5-under-par 139.

“I am hitting the best I have all season, particularly my irons shots,” Herr said. “Hopefully I will continue hitting it well tomorrow and I will hit as many fairways and greens as I did today. If I do it will give me more opportunities for birdies and my putts will fall.”

Geoff Vartelas of Cromwell, Conn., holds down second after carding a 4-under-par 140. Michael Miller of Brewster N.Y., stands in third at 3-under-par 141. Tied in fourth at 1-under-par 143 is Sean Gaudette of South Hadley, Mass., and Jeff Wibawa of Encino, Calif.

Hu played a steady round making birdie on Nos. 2, 4, 14 and 17 and only two bogies. Hu was able to hit 10 fairways and 14 greens, which Hu admits is pretty good for her. Hu's biggest moment of the day came on No.18. Hu made a good up and down after making a bogey on the hole yesterday. Having only 31 putts helped Hu score a 2-under-par 70 for the day.

“Everything was going good for me today, especially after I made an up and down after being in the bunker,” Hu said. “I played consistent and didn't make any big mistakes. I just hope my game is as good tomorrow.”

In second after carding a 7-over-par 151 is Harin Lee of Bayside, N.Y. Tied for third is Daniela Lendl of Bradenton, Fla., and Crystal Lee of Mahwah, N.J., who both carded 10-over-par 154.

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.

The final-round of the AJGA Northeast Open will be a shotgun start at 8:00 a.m., Thursday, August 20, at Richter Park Golf Course. For more information about the AJGA Northeast Open please contact Tournament Headquarters at (203) 792-2550 ext. 17.