BROWN, LONG CROWNED KINGS OF ALL-STAR CLASSIC
Both competitors record first AJGA victory

KINGWOOD, Texas - Ginny Brown of Austin, Texas, had just enough to hold off a competitive field in Thursday's final round and garner her first AJGA victory at the Nike Golf Junior All-Star Classic at Kingwood. In the Boys Division, Jace Long of Dixon, Mo., shot his second 1-over-par 73 of the week and won by one stroke as well.

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

Brown entered the final round leading by three shots, but her lead shrank as a result of three double bogeys. However, Brown answered with birdies on the first and 12th holes. Brown fired scores of 4-over-par 40 on both nines for an 8-over-par 80 and a three-day total of 22-over-par 238.

"I had a good time, and it's going to be a good experience," Brown said. "I think I learned a lot about my own playing."

Yuki Sakurai of Kyoto, Japan, had a chance to tie for the lead on the majestic, but difficult par-5 18th, but she ran her downhill par putt past the hole. Sakurai finished the day with an 6-over-par 78 and a three-day total of 23-over-par 239.

Brown also survived a charge from Alexandrea Schulte of Broken Arrow, Okla. Schulte, who previously won the Nike Golf Junior All-Star Classic at Jackson presented by the Mississippi Farm Bureau, fired a 1-under-par 35 and finished with a 4-over-par 76. She finished third with a three-day total of 24-over-par 240. Ami Nakagawa of Osaka, Japan, also finished third with a three-day total of 24-over-par 240.

In the Boys Division, Long, who recently turned 13 years old, played solid golf all day Thursday as he made par on his final seven holes. Long also added two birdies en route to a 1-over-par 73. Long's three-day total of 10-over-par 226 put him clear of the field by one shot.

"It's amazing," Long said. "I'm just 13 and all the rest of the people are a lot older than me. So, I'm just excited. I never thought I could win one of these, actually."

Long, who began the day three shots behind second-round leader David Holmes of Knoxville, Tenn., also shot a 73 in the first round. Long made seven birdies in the tournament, which tied him for second best.

Kyle Peterman of Springfield, Ill., shot 1-over-par 37 on both nines and finished in second place with a 11-over-par 227. First-round leader Wyatt Ramey of Houston, Texas, took third with a 13-over-par 229. Ramey shared third place honors with Holmes, who shot a final-round 7-over-par 79.

Andrew Frame of Manteno, Ill., and Drew Kittleson of Scottsdale, Ariz., rounded out the top five with a 14-over-par 230. Hunter Bronson of Mobile, Ala., fired the only sub-par round of the tournament, a 1-under-par 71, to earn the Low Final Round Award.

For more information on the Nike Golf Junior All-Star Classic at Kingwood, call national headquarters at (770) 868-4200.