HOLMES COMES FROM FOUR BACK TO GARNER LEAD
Brown leads Girls Division after two rounds

KINGWOOD, Texas - David Holmes of Knoxville, Tenn., fired a 2-over-par 74 in Wednesday's second round to take a two-shot lead at the Nike Golf Junior All-Star Classic at Kingwood. In the Girls Division, Ginny Brown of Austin, Texas, also claimed a three-shot lead after shooting a 9-over-par 81.

The 54-hole Nike Golf Junior All-Star Classic at Kingwood, conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, is being held at Kingwood Country Club's Island Course. The 99-player field consists of boys and girls, ages 13-15, from 16 states and Japan.

Because of a four hour and 47 minute delay on Tuesday because of the landfall of Hurricane Claudette, play was suspended with 18 players on the course. Those players completed the first round on Wednesday morning prior to beginning the second round.

Upon completion of the first round, Wyatt Ramey of Houston, Texas, led the Boys Division by 1 shot after firing an even-par 72. In the Girls Division, Brown led by two shots after shooting a first-round 5-over-par 77.

Although two brief downpours moved across the Island Course on Wednesday, conditions were much more benign in the second round. However, scores remained high as difficult course conditions served as a catalyst for some large numbers.

In the Boys Division, Holmes took advantage of three birdies en route to a 74. Holmes, who came from four shots behind after one round, leads the tournament by two going into the final round.

"I've been putting pretty good," Holmes said. "I'm pretty confident and hope I can win (Thursday)."

Collin Mayer of Houston, Texas, and Jared Shepherd of Kingwood, Texas, are tied for second place with matching two-day scores of 8-over-par 152. Jace Long of Dixon, Mo., and Kyle Peterman of Springfield, Ill., are tied for fourth place, three shots behind Holmes with tournament totals of 9-over-par 153.

In the Girls Division, Brown was able to build upon her first-round lead after carding an 81 in her second round. Brown, who was on hole No. 15 when play was suspended on Tuesday, finished her first round with two consecutive birdies before heading back to the first tee for the second round.

"I was putting really good and made a bunch of really long putts," Brown said.

She does feel there is room for improvement, though, entering the final round.

"I think my ball striking needs to be more consistent, and I need to hit a few more fairways," she said.

Kristin Vincent of Burlington, N.C., and Yuki Sakurai of Kyoto, Japan, trail Brown by three shots after recording two-day totals of 17-over-par 161.

Final-round tee times will commence on the No. 1 and No. 10 tees at 7:30 a.m. and conclude at 9:30 a.m. For more information on the Nike Golf Junior All-Star Classic at Kingwood, call tournament headquarters at (281) 358-2171, ext. 279.