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AJGA TRANSAMERICA JUNIOR
AT DENVER
Hiwan Golf Club
Evergreen, Colorado
August 5-8, 2003
CHRISMAN GRABS LEAD AT HIWAN
O'Toole sits atop Girls Division
EVERGREEN, Colo. - Blake Chrisman of
Tulsa, Okla., currently sits atop the leaderboard in the Boys
Division of the AJGA Transamerica Junior at Denver after carding
a 69 at Hiwan Golf Club. Ryann O'Toole of San Clemente, Calif.,
shot a 6-over-par 76 to take the lead in Girls Division.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the AJGA
Transamerica Junior at Denver is being held at the par-70
Hiwan Golf Club and features a field of 78 boys and 24 girls
from 23 states.
Chrisman carded 5 birdies Wednesday, en route to a 1-under-par
69.
"I got off to a good start and was 4-under-par after
10 holes," commented Chrisman. "Then I bogeyed Nos.
11 and 12 and doubled No. 13. On this course it's easy to
make bogeys and doubles. The key is to keep the ball in the
fairway."
Chrisman was able to recover from his bogey streak with a
par on No. 14, a birdie on No. 15 and pars on the final three
holes.
"No. 13 is a short par 4 and I hit it to within eight
feet," Chrisman said. "Even though I didn't make
the putt, it got me back on my rhythm. Then I knocked it on
in two on No. 15 and was able to make birdie."
Chrisman looks to hold onto his lead as he enters play Thursday.
"Coming into today I thought even-par would be a good
score considering the conditions out there," remarked
Chrisman. "Tomorrow I just want to try and stay focused
and have a good start. If you get off a little on this course
it will really hurt you."
Chrisman is followed in second place by David Cosel of Monument,
Colo., who carded an even-par 70. Four juniors are tied in
third place with 2-over-par 72s. Steve Saunders and Jesse
Barnsley, both of Albuquerque, N.M., Kyle Sullivan of Grand
Junction, Colo., and Walter Koelbel of Cherry Hills Village,
Colo., all carded 72s.
In the Girls Division, 16-year-old O'Toole carded a 76 and
currently sits in first following first-round action.
"I felt that I had a good swing today," commented
O'Toole. "I could've putted a little better but I feel
good. This course is really tough and the greens are very
fast. I really can't complain about my round though."
The AJGA Transamerica Junior at Denver marks O'Toole's second
career AJGA event.
"I came here Saturday and played nine and then another
nine at a different course," O'Toole remarked. "I've
noticed that you get tired easily at this altitude, but the
ball flies further, which is great."
O'Toole hopes to again battle the altitude and greens and
add to her lead Thursday.
"I'd love to repeat a day like this," O'Toole said.
"I feel like there were some things I could've changed
but I played well today and I'm happy with my score."
Ellie Brophy of Spokane, Wash., carded an 8-over-par 78 and
is currently tied with Ashley Tait of Littleton, Colo., and
Staci Smoot of Rochester, Minn., for second place.
The second round of the AJGA Transamerica Junior at Denver
begins Thursday with tee times starting at 7 a.m. off the
first tee.
For more information on the AJGA Transamerica Junior at Denver,
please contact tournament headquarters at (303) 674-3366.
#AJGA#
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