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AJGA PING JUNIOR AT SUNRIVER RESORT
Sunriver Resort, Meadows Course
Sunriver, Oregon
August 26-29, 2003
LEE FIRES 6-UNDER-PAR 65 IN OPENING ROUND IN SUNRIVER
Johns takes charge in Girls Division of the AJGA PING Junior
at Sunriver Resort with career best 69
SUNRIVER, Ore. - Clear blue skies and 70-degree tempertures
created ideal conditions for Lucas Lee of Torrance, Calif.,
and Oregon native Stephanie Johns of Ashland. Their solid
performances not only placed them atop the leaderboard in
their respective divisions after the first round of the AJGA
PING Junior at Sunriver Resort, but established new records
of their own.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the PING
Junior at Sunriver Resort features players from eight states,
including 16 players from the Evergreen State. The inaugural
54-hole tournament is being held on Sunriver Resort's Meadows
Course.
Lee's impressive tournament low of 34-31-65 sets not only
his personal best, but also becomes the new men's competive
course record on the Meadows Course. His round was jumpstarted
after his birdie on his second hole of the day.
"I made all the putts I needed today," Lee said.
"I am very pleased with my performance, especially since
I have had a really tough summer. I have prayed a lot about
improving my game and it's really helping."
The 16-year-old Lee followed up his first birdie on No. 2
with four more birdies on Nos. 6, 11, 15 and 17. His momentum
definitely increased after nailing a 25-foot putt for eagle
on the 542-yard, par-5 No. 10.
"That putt felt great. This is my fifth AJGA event this
season and I haven't really played well in any of them,"
the 2005 high school graduate said. "I want to finish
strong before moving back to Brazil next week."
California native Nick Geyer of Agoura Hills shot 67 and stands
alone in second, while fellow California native Matt Marshall
of Los Gatos and Dustin Andres of Tualatin, Ore., are tied
with 2-under-par 69s. Rounding out the top five in the Boys
Division with a 70 is Sasan Shahi of Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Dominating in the Girls Division, Johns's round consisted
of six birdies, including the ones she carded on Nos. 1 and
2, which were her first two holes of the day.
"I can't believe how well I played today," the 16-year-old
said. "It was just a lot of fun to be out here."
Playing in her first-ever AJGA event, the 2005 high school
graduate's only goal heading into Wednesday's round was to
break 80. Johns did more than just that, as she fired her
lowest 18-hole tournament round.
"Everything was working really well for me," Johns
said. "My approach shots were probably my strongest part
of my game. I stuck most of them about three feet from the
hole."
Trailing three strokes behind Johns is Washington native Kim
Shin of Shoreline, while Jennifer Yoo of Cerritos, Calif.,
sits in third at 36-38-74.
Second-round tee times will begin Thursday at 11:30 a.m. off
the Nos. 1 and 10 tees on Sunriver Resort's Meadows Course.
For more information on the AJGA PING Junior at Sunriver Resort,
please contact tournament headquarters at (541) 593-7880,
extension 3717 or visit ajga.org.
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