AJGA PING/MARSICO FUNDS COLORADO JUNIOR ROUNDUP
Walking Stick Golf Course
Pueblo, Colorado
June 3-6, 2003

RAIN, WIND, COLD AND BLUMENHERST DOMINATE THE FIELD
Tolan climbs into boys' lead at PING/Marsico Funds Colorado Junior Roundup

PUEBLO, Colo. - The story of the day at Walking Stick Golf Course was not the harsh weather, but rather the ability of Amanda Blumenherst and Derek Tolan to overcome it. Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the second round of the PING/Marsico Funds Colorado Junior Roundup was completed amid an abundance of rain showers, frigid temperatures, burly winds and a weather delay that lasted more than an hour in the early afternoon.

Taking the headlines away from the weather was Blumenherst, of Scottsdale, Ariz., who shot the low round of the day in either division. Blumenherst came in with a score of 70, bringing her tournament total to 143, which leads the Girls Division by nine shots. Blumenherst was 5-under-par at the turn, and added her sixth birdie of the day on the 10th hole to move to 6-under-par for the day.

"My front nine was amazing, probably the best nine I have ever played," remarked Blumenherst.

As Blumenherst approached the back nine, the rain became heavier and conditions worsened.

"I don't mind playing in the wind, but I sometimes get rattled by rain," said Blumenherst, who lost her momentum with bogeys on holes 11 through 14. "When it started raining I lost focus. The delay came at a good time because it allowed me to regain my focus and finish strong on the last few holes."

Following the delay, Blumenherst promptly made her career-high seventh birdie of the day at No. 15.

Heather Wright of Houston is in second place in the Girls Division. Wright's round of 3-over-par 75 brought her two-round total to 152, trailing Blumenherst by nine shots. Also with a 3-over-par 75, Ashley Rollins of Austin, Texas, brought her total score to 154, good for third place.

In the Boys Division, Tolan of Highlands Ranch, Colo., shot the low round of the day and leads with an even- par 142, following Wednesday's 1-over-par 72. When Tolan teed off in the morning in miserable weather conditions, he was looking to shoot in the mid to high 70s.

"Considering the conditions, this was one of the hardest, yet best rounds of competitive golf I have ever played," said Tolan. "The course was very tough. On holes where I would usually use a driver and a wedge, I was using a driver and a 3-iron. It was crazy!"

After firing a 2-over-par 73, Geoff Mead of Rapid City, S.D., is in second place at 143. He is followed in third by first-round leader Jake Hermes of Durango, Colo., who shot a 6-over-par 77 and has a two-round score of 145. Like Tolan, Hermes thought the conditions were extremely harsh.

"The combined rain, wind, and cold temperatures made the back nine the toughest nine holes of golf I have ever played, nearly impossible," said Hermes. "For most of the nine holes I was just trying to hold on for dear life out there."

Three juniors are tied for fourth place in the Boys Division. Chris Huffer of Denver came in with a score of 74 for the round, bringing his total to 149. John Philpy of Eads, Colo., recorded a score of 79, also totaling 149. Tied with Huffer and Philpy with an overall score of 149 is Ryan Husted of Highlands Ranch, Colo. Husted shot a 2-over-par 73.

The tournament concludes Friday with final-round tee times beginning at 7 a.m. off the first and 10th tees.

For more information on the PING/Marsico Funds Colorado Junior Roundup, please contact tournament headquarters at (719) 584-3400 ext.102.

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