Campbell Holds on to the Lead to Earn His First AJGA Victory
Lee Claims the Top Spot in the Girls Division at the ClubCorp Mission Hills Desert Junior

Rancho Mirage, Calif. — Brian Campbell of Irvine, Calif., recorded his third consecutive sub-par round on his way to finishing first in the ClubCorp Mission Hills Desert Junior. Campbell's 1-under par 71 in the final round was enough to give him a 3-stroke win in the tournament with a total of 6-under-par 210. Alison Lee of Valencia, Calif., successfully held off the rest of the field in the Girls Division to capture her fourth AJGA victory.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, The ClubCorp Mission Hills Desert Junior was a 54-hole stroke-play event held at Mission Hills Country Club on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course. The 78-player field featured 51 boys and 27 girls from five states, Argentina, and Thailand. The Boys Division played from 7,101 yards and the Girls Division played from 6,177 yards.

Campbell, who has been playing in AJGA events since 2008, did not waste any time trying to seal his first tournament victory as he birdied Nos. 1 and 2. Campbell said that he was striking the ball just right all week, and when he was in trouble he was able to make shots to save par.

After sinking his final putt on No. 18, Campbell felt both excitement and a great sense of relief for earning his first victory.

“It feels amazing,” said Campbell. “It's like a massive weight off of my chest. I knew I could do it; it was just a matter of time.”

Xander Schauffele of San Diego carded a 1-over-par 73 for a second-place finish at 3-under-par 213. Alexander Forss of Temecula, Calif., took third place in the tournament with score of 1-under-par 215. Daniel Covrig of Modesto, Calif., Jonah Texiera of Northridge, Calif., Andrew Levitt of Ladera Ranch, Calif., and Matt Pinizzotto of Salinas, Calif., all came in a tie for fourth at even-par 216.

In the Girls Division, Lee finished the tournament with her second consecutive 3-under-par 69 to ensure victory at Mission Hills. Lee admitted that she was a little nervous about holding the lead going into the final round, but she did little to show it as she started her round by chipping in for birdie on No. 1.

“I just tried to take it one shot at a time today,” said Lee. “My iron play was really good today and my approach shots kept me in good position through most of the round.”

Kristen Park of Buena Park, Calif., fired a 6-under-par 66 to put her in contention, which was good enough to give her second place with a tournament total of 4-under-par 212. Beverly Vatananugulkit of Cerritos, Calif., finished the tournament at even-par 216 to earn a third-place finish.

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 provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships, and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and 30 countries. To ensure scholarship opportunities for all junior golfers who have the skill, the AJGA created the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program to provide financial assistance to young players in need.

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. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 400 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Stewart Cink, Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel.

For more information on the ClubCorp Mission Hills Desert Junior, contact AJGA National Headquarters at 770-868-4200.