COOK ONE SHOT CLEAR OF CLUTTERED FIELD
Brown takes lead in Girls Division

EDMOND, Okla. - Jordan Cook of Edmond, Okla., fought through the howling winds of the Oklahoma plains to take a one-shot lead in the Boys Division of the OSSO Junior at Oak Tree on Tuesday. In the Girls Division, Lacey Jones of Idabel, Okla., also claimed a one-shot lead after the first round by carding a 2-over-par 72.

The 54-hole competition, conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, is being played at the Oak Tree Country Club, East Course. The field consists of 145 players representing 14 states, including 58 players from the state of Texas. The tournament contains two divisions consisting of boys and girls, ages 13 to 18.

The Pete Dye-designed East Course played difficult as the average score in the Boys Division ballooned to slightly more than 10 shots over par. Cook, who started the day on the 10th tee, was consistent from the start, making pars on his first six holes before recording a birdie on the par-4 16th. This consistency lasted throughout the day as Cook carded even-par 35s on both the front and back nine en route to claiming the first-round lead.

"I was just pretty consistent," Cook said. "I didn't hit any bad shots and made a lot of putts."

The field follows closely behind Cook, however, as eight players are within three shots of the lead. Robby Ormand of Austin, Texas, and Trey Todd of Abilene, Texas, are only one shot back of Cook after firing matching rounds of 1-over-par 71. Austin Welch of The Woodlands, Texas, and Kevin Schultz of Richardson, Texas, linger two shots behind the leader.

In the Girls Division, Jones took advantage of four birdies to help her claim a one-shot lead.

"It went well," Jones said. "I just hit fairways and greens and kind of worked with the wind. I'm hitting the ball solid and I'm putting well, so hopefully I can keep my scores low."

Ashley Knoll of The Woodlands, Texas, trails Jones by one shot. Knoll, who has signed a National Letter of Intent to play at Oklahoma State University this fall, was even par on her first nine before carding a 3-over-par 38 on her second nine. Michaela Cavener of Ponca City, Okla., trails by two shots after firing a 4-over-par 74.

The second round of the OSSO Junior at Oak Tree will consist of two waves of tee times from the first and 10th tees. The first starts at 7:30 a.m. and concludes at 9:09 a.m. The second wave will begin at noon and conclude at 1:39 p.m. For more information on the OSSO Junior at Oak Tree, call tournament headquarters at (405) 330-9545.