ASHWORTH PRESEASON JUNIOR AT LAS CRUCES
Picacho Hills Country Club
Las Cruces, New Mexico
March 14-16, 2003

MCDANIEL CLAIMS VICTORY WITH FINAL ROUND 75
Two birdies on the front nine help 17-Year-Old seal first AJGA win

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – David McDaniel of Tucson, Ariz., shot a final round 3-over-par 75 to win the Ashworth Preseason Junior at Las Cruces. He ended the event with a two-day total of 149, 5-over-par for the tournament.

The 36-hole, stroke play tournament was held at the par-72 Picacho Hills Country Club. Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, this Ashworth Preseason event featured 84 boys ages 13-18 representing 15 states.

McDaniel quickly shook off a bogey on the first hole to settle into his round. Battling windy conditions, McDaniel took command of the elements with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 2 and 3.

“After the first hole those birdies on the next two settled me down,” said the champion. “I played consistent from that point on.”

He combined a back nine score of 40 with a 1-under-par 35 on the front nine for a 75 on Sunday. McDaniel could not pinpoint an area of his game that allowed him to outpace his fellow golfers.

“Everything was equal,” he said. “I had some really good drives, but overall I played pretty balanced all day long.”

McDaniel felt good about his game coming into his first AJGA event after winning his last two tournaments. Earning three exemptions for his win, McDaniel looks forward to battling with the best junior golfers this summer in AJGA competition.

“This win is real nice for me so I can play in the summer,” said the high school junior. “The highest ranked players play AJGA, and I would like to see where my game is compared to them.”

The first round leader, Keith Kerr of Spring, Texas, took second after turning in an 80 on Sunday for a tournament total of 151. Tying for third with two-round scores of 153 were Keith Becker of San Antonio and Anthony Broussard of Beaumont, Texas. Rounding out the top five was Colin Carter of Santa Ana, Calif., with rounds of 75 and 79 for a 154.

The AJGA’s Ashworth Preseason/Postseason Junior Series is a boys-only series designed specifically for first-time AJGA members or those members who have not yet participated in an AJGA Open event, AJGA Invitational or Nike Golf Junior All-Star Series event. For those who are eligible, participation is limited to one Preseason event and one Postseason event per calendar year as long as they have not yet participated in an AJGA Open event, AJGA Invitational or Nike Golf Junior All-Star Series event.

Now in its fourth year, the Ashworth Preseason/Postseason Series grew from eight events in 2002 to 10 in 2003. The Series helps juniors gain the experience needed to compete at the national level. The first Preseason event was held in Dothan, Ala., and the remaining schedule includes events in Patterson, Calif., Hot Springs, Ark., and College Park, Md.

For more information about the Ashworth Preseason/Postseason Series, please visit the Association’s headquarters at (770) 868-4200 or visit the Association’s Web site at ajga.org.

## AJGA ##

Final Round Results