SAPP AND GOODMAN CLAIM FIRST AJGA TITLES
Sapp sets new tournament record

VANDENBERG AFB, Calif. - It was a day of firsts as Garrett Sapp of Cerritos, Calif., and Allison Goodman of San Diego, Calif., claimed their inaugural AJGA victories at the AJGA Marshallia Ranch Junior Classic Thursday afternoon. Sapp totaled 5-under-par for the tournament after posting a final-round 70; while Goodman ran away with the title, as she won by a 4-stroke margin over Jennifer Tangtiphaiboontana.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the 54-hole event was held at the par-72 Marshallia Ranch Golf Course. The field featured 84 players, ages 13-18, representing nine states, Australia, and Canada.

Sapp, the first-round leader, carded four birdies compared to two bogeys en route to his first AJGA win.

"It was really close after the front," Sapp said about carding a 2-over-par 37. "I wasn't expecting to win after that, I just wanted to finish well."

Sapp rebounded on the back nine, making three consecutive birdies on Nos. 11, 12 and 13. His putting made the difference and gave him momentum to finish strong.

"I struggled in the beginning with my putting, but they started dropping on the back," said Sapp.

Sapp clinched the victory with a birdie on No. 18, elevating him to 5-under-par for the week. With a three-day total of 211, Sapp set a new tournament record at the four-year old event.

"This is great," Sapp said about his first win. "The guys in the AJGA are awesome and the field here is really strong. I think I've proved I can compete at this level."

Joey Benedetti of Huntington Beach, Calif., took second with a low final-round performance of 4-under-par 68 to round out a 212 total. Colin Wilcox of Camarillo, Calif., finished with a 1-under-par 215, good for third, while Jamie Lovemark of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif,. and Lee Keong Yang of Bradenton, Fla., tied for fourth place with tournament totals of 216.

In the Girls Division, Goodman, 16, maintained her second-round lead, carding a 77 to secure her first AJGA win. Despite a trying front nine of 4-over-par, Goodman answered with two birdies before finishing the back nine 1-over-par. Goodman finished four strokes above the competition with a 72-69-77—218. Although her putting was off, her focus carried her through the rough final round.

"My approach shots were good, but nothing would fall in the hole." Goodman said. "My putting was the only difference between yesterday's 69 and today's 77."

After taking second place at the recent AJGA Boyne Highlands Junior, Goodman says she was ready to win an AJGA event.

"I've been knocking on the door for a while now," Goodman said about the first place finish. "And this time the door opened. It feels really good."

Jennifer Tangtiphaiboontana of Long Beach, Calif., took second-place honors with a 71-72-79—222 and Minnie Choi of Fountain Valley, Calif., posted a 71-79-74—224 to finish third.

For more information on the AJGA Marshallia Ranch Junior Classic or other AJGA events, please call AJGA headquarters at (770) 868-4200.

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