PARK GOES LOW WITH COURSE-RECORD 66 IN SECOND ROUND AT CALEDON WOODS
Periversoff extends lead to seven strokes in Girls Division

BOLTON, Ontario - Nick Park of Ithaca, N.Y., took advantage of near-perfect conditions Thursday, crafting a 5-under-par 66 in the second round of the AJGA BMO Financial Group Future Links Junior at Caledon Woods to take a five-stroke lead in the Boys Division. He has a two-day total of 73-66-139, while Joanna Periversoff of Hamilton, Ontario stretched her lead to seven strokes in the Girls Division with a 71-79-150.

The 54-hole stroke play tournament, conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, features 99 of the top junior golfers from Ontario, Quebec and nine U.S. states at Caledon Woods Golf Club.

Park used the calm weather and his knowledge of the course from the first round to his advantage en route to setting the men's competitive course record at Caledon Woods.

"I knew my mistakes yesterday and didn't do them today," he said. "The wind wasn't as strong today. Yesterday it was crazy; I had to hit knock-down shots every time. Today there was almost no wind, which just let me play my game."

Park's performance at Caledon Woods continues a string of solid showings this season. Earlier this summer, the 2005 grad played in the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Junior Amateur, where he made it to the first round of match play before falling to eventual finalist Jordan Cox of Redwood City, Calif.

Attacking the par-4 and par-5 holes, Park continually hit his approach shots close to the flag, leading to his five birdies during the round, including a stretch of four straight on holes 5 through 8.

"I just took advantage of the short par-4s and par-5s," Park said. "On the holes I birdied, I was putting it pretty close, so I didn't have to make any long putts."

For the final round, Park said he wants to birdie the holes he thinks he should and avoid any big numbers on the other holes. He will be chased by three players knotted at 144: Jeffrey Chen of Walnut, Calif., and Ontario natives Matt Halliday of Caledonia and Matthew McMahon of Brockville. Rounding out the top-five in the Boys Division is Mike Jarvis of Lancaster, N.Y., who led after the first round and now stands at 69-76-145.

In the Girls Division, Periversoff found more opportunities for birdie in the second round due to excellent approaches.

"I was sticking my irons and wedges a lot closer today," the 2004 grad said. "A few of my approaches lipped out, which was a little frustrating. I made more birdies today than yesterday and had more chances for birdie, and that's what helped."

Entering the final round with a seven-shot lead, Periversoff wants to make pars and play a steady round.

"I don't think you can be too aggressive on this course," she said. "There are some tough holes out there so you just have to put the ball down the center and hit the greens."

Sitting seven shots back of Periversoff are Anita Gahir of Thornhill, Ontario, and Maude-Aimee LeBlanc of Windsor, Quebec.

LeBlanc produced the day's low score in the Girls Division with a 75 that included three birdies.

The AJGA BMO Financial Group Future Links Junior at Caledon Woods concludes Friday with final-round tee times running from 7 to 11:30 a.m. off the first tee at Caledon Woods Golf Club.

For more information, please contact AJGA headquarters at (905) 880-1400.

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