Cox Makes Way to Top of Boys Division at Golf Pride Junior Classic
Emrey and Chanpalangsri continue lead in Girls Division at National Golf Club

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. — Chad Cox of Charlotte, N.C. turned in a 4-under-par 68 in the second round of the Golf Pride Junior Classic to make his way to the top of the Boys Division. Allison Emrey of Charlotte, N.C., and Chantakan Chanpalangsri of Boca Raton, Fla., both carded a 3-over par 75 to lead the Girls Division at National Golf Club.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Golf Pride Junior Classic is a 54-hole stroke play event held at National Golf Club. The field features 78 boys and 21 girls, ages 12-18, from 17 states, Mexico, Thailand and Italy. The par-72 course is playing at 7,085 yards in the Boys Division and 6,215 yards in the Girls Division.

Cox's six birdies lead him to a 3-under-par 141 tournament total and a two-shot lead going into Thursday's final round.

“Well today is my mom's birthday,” Cox said. “I felt like I had to play pretty well for her so it worked out. I was really sticking it close all day with my close approach shots.”

Justin Cho of Norcross, Ga., is in second at 1-under-par 143. Andrew Decker of Greenville, N.C., is in third at even par 144. Tied for fourth are Daniel Pizetoski of Davidson, N.C., Reeves Zaytoun of Raleigh, N.C., and Jay Pinkos of Clifton, Va., at 1-over-par 145.

This is Emrey's third appearance at the Golf Pride Junior Classic. Emrey finds herself in a familiar situation as she was also in the running, tied for third, going into the final round last year.

“I just tried to stay close to par and not get too many over,” Emery said. “I've always wanted to win an AJGA event, and after last year I really want to win it this year.”

Chanpalangsri's two birdies contributed to her 5-over-par 149 tournament total.

“Today my short game was good,” Chanpalangsri said. “I hit the green, chipped it in and made a lot of one putts.”

2009 Golf Pride Classic champion, Ri Hyang Park of Hilton Head Island, S.C., is in third for the Girls Division at 151.

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.

The final round of the Golf Pride Junior Classic will be an 8 a.m. shotgun on Thursday, August 12. For more information, please contact Tournament Director Kelli Holloway at 678-315-3446.