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AJGA HENRY-GRIFFITTS BLUEGRASS
JUNIOR INVITATIONAL
Bellefonte Country Club
Ashland, Kentucky
June 17-20, 2003
BARR, BLACKWELL KNOTTED
AFTER FIRST ROUND
Wade, Robinson share lead in Henry-Griffitts Bluegrass
Junior Invitational
ASHLAND, Ky.
- Cale Barr of Versailles, Ky., and Greg Blackwell of Miami,
Fla., each carded 2-under-par 68 for a share of the first-round
lead of the AJGA Henry-Griffitts Bluegrass Junior Invitational
at the Bellefonte Country Club. In the Girls Division on Wednesday,
defending champion Whitney Wade of Glasgow, Ky., and Lindsey
Robinson of Huntington, W. Va., notched a 3-over-par 73 for
first-round honors.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association,
the AJGA Henry-Griffitts Bluegrass Junior Invitational features
120 players, 93 boys and 27 girls ages 13-18 from 21 states,
including 32 from the state of Kentucky.
Barr, headed for the University of Kentucky
in the fall, recovered from a front nine total of 4-over-par
39, to shoot a scorching 6-under-par 29 for his share of the
lead.
"I felt like I was on a roll after the
13th hole," said the 18-year-old. "My two goals
for this week were to win this event and to beat my little
brother (Joseph)."
Fourteen-year-old Joseph, qualified for his
first AJGA tournament on Monday and shot a 6-over-par 76 on
Wednesday.
Blackwell, competing in his second career AJGA event, felt
steady during his entire round despite the cancellation of
Tuesday's practice round.
"I tried to keep my focus on the fairway,"
said the 17-year-old. "I felt steady off the first tee
and I knew if I kept it in the fairway it would be to my benefit."
Wade, the 2002 champion, began her afternoon
with nine straight pars, but bogeyed three holes on the back
nine.
"I expected a lower score, even though
we didn't have a practice round," said the 18-year-old.
"The conditions were not as bad as I feared, and the
ball stopped on the greens nicely."
The future Georgia Bulldog, qualified for
the Women's U.S Open on Monday in Wheaton, Ill. She carded
rounds of 75-70--145 to play at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in
North Plains, Ore on July 3-6.
Robinson shot an even score for the front
nine, including three birdies.
The 18-year-old said, "I stayed focused
on the target and didn't worry about my mechanics. I trusted
my swing and it worked for me today."
Second-round action of the AJGA Henry-Griffitts
Bluegrass Junior Invitational will begin on Thursday at 7
a.m. For more information on the AJGA Henry-Griffitts Bluegrass
Junior Invitational, contact tournament headquarters at (606)
326-1741.
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