AJGA BOYNE HIGHLANDS JUNIOR
Boyne Highlands Resort, Heather Course
Harbor Springs, Mich.
July 7-10, 2003

SCHACHNER GOES 5-UNDER-PAR TO TAKE BOYS DIVISION LEAD
Blumenherst fires 71 to control Girls Division after first round of the AJGA Boyne Highlands Junior

HARBOR SPRINGS, Mich. - Michael Schachner of Libertyville, Ill., pulled out eight birdies during the first round of the AJGA Boyne Highlands Junior Tuesday to place him atop the leaderboard while Amanda Blumenherst of Scottsdale, Ariz., finished the round at even-par 71 to take charge in her respective division.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the tournament features 143 boys and girls, ages 13-18, representing 25 states and Canada. The 54-hole event runs Tuesday through Thursday at the Boyne Highlands Resort, Heather Course in Harbor Springs, Mich.

Schachner (32-34-66) is no stranger to the Heather Course as he finished seventh at this event last year.

"I was hitting it really close to the flagstick all day," the 17-year-old Schachner said. "I hit the ball pretty well and I was able to make some key putts down the stretch which made the difference."

The soon-to-be high school senior, who began his round off the No. 10 tee, got his round started early as he garnered two birdies out of the gate on Nos. 10 and 11. His remaining six birdies were carded on Nos. 15, 16, 1, 3, 6 and 9.

Heading into the second round, the Illinois native Schachner plans to keep the ball in the fairway and use the short irons to set up some good birdie chances.

Following close behind Schachner as the only other player to finish better than par is Andrew Milloy of Lasalle, Ontario, with a 2-under-par 69. Sitting at even par 71 in the Boys Division are Henry Rowland of Lake Bluff, Ill., David Shearer of Charlevoix, Mich., and Ontario natives Brandon Edwards of Peterborough and Kevin Bryce of Mississauga.

In the Girls Division, Blumenherst (34-37-71) has been on a roll this season. She has already racked up three wins at the AJGA Southwestern Junior Classic, AJGA PING/Marsico Funds Colorado Junior Roundup and last week at the AJGA Midwest Junior Players Championship. She also carded top-five finishes at the AJGA Rolex Junior Girls Championship and the AJGA Thunderbird International Junior.

"I hit my iron shots really well and put them close to set myself up for pars and birdies," the 16-year-old Blumenherst said.

Using solid shots to her advantage, Blumenherst made three birdies that helped secure her lead. Like Schachner, the Arizona native Blumenherst began her day off the No. 10 tee, where she picked up a birdie to jump-start her round.

Her closest competitor, Allison Goodman of San Diego, Calif., is only two strokes behind at two-over-par 73. At 74, Laura Mengelkamp of Dover, Pa., rounds out the top three.

Second-round tee times will begin at 8 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday off the Nos. 1 and 10 tees at the Boyne Highlands Resort, Heather Course.

For more information on the AJGA Boyne Highlands Junior contact tournament headquarters at (231) 526-3105, Conference Room A.

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