AJGA MARSHALLIA RANCH JUNIOR
Marshallia Ranch Golf Course
Vandenberg AFB, California
July 12-15, 2004
GALLETTI, JR AT 2-UNDER TAKES LEAD IN SECOND ROUND
Goodman emerges as new leader in Girls Division
VANDENBERG AFB, Calif.— Shooting an even-par 72 was enough for Roberto Galletti, Jr. to take the lead at the AJGA Marshallia Ranch Junior, which put him at a 2-under-par 142 for the tournament. Last year’s Girls Division champion, Allison Goodman, shot a 1-over-par 73 to take the lead and is out to reclaim her title.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the AJGA Marshallia Ranch Junior features 84 players from ten states and Canada, including 73 California natives. The fifth annual AJGA Marshallia Ranch Junior is a 54-hole, stroke play tournament that is being held at Marshallia Ranch Golf Course for the third consecutive year.
Galletti, Jr., 16, of Vallejo, Calif., said he was glad that he started the second round in second place rather than in first because he didn’t have to worry about being in the lead.
“I just played my own game,” he said. “My putts weren’t going in like yesterday, but I hit the ball better today.”
Galletti, Jr. started the day off of No. 10 tee and made four birdies, two of which were on his last two holes.
“That should jumpstart tomorrow’s round,” he said. “I feel pretty confident. I’m going to approach it like any other round and have a good time.”
Going into the final round in second place is Tim Cha of Chino Hills, Calif., at 1-under-par 143. In third is Doug Fortner of Tustin, Calif., at even-par. In fourth is Sean McNamara of Monte Sereno, Calif., at 1-over-par 147. In fifth is Larry Wong of Diamond Bar, Calif., at 3-over-par 147.
Goodman, 17, of San Diego, surged ahead and stole the lead in the Girls Division with a two-day total of 3-over-par 147. After she doubled No. 10, her first hole, she birdied Nos. 12, 13 and 18, but the shot on No. 13 put her back to even and gave her the momentum she needed to finish the round.
“I drained an uphill, right-to-left, 40-footer for birdie,” Goodman said. “That put me back to even. You feel a lot more comfortable at even.”
Her strategy going into the final round is to stay relaxed and keep her confidence up.
“I play better when I’m relaxed,” she said. “You have to stay confident because you don’t know what the other girls are doing. It could be a matter of one-stroke.”
Following Goodman are Xyra Suyetsugu of Honolulu, Hawaii, with a 4-over-par 148 and Mariko Makabe of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., with an 8-over-par 152.
The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The largest association of its kind, the AJGA has a junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 50 states and 30 foreign countries.
Final-round tee times will run from 6:30 - 8:27 a.m., Thursday at Marshallia Ranch Golf Course.
Titleist, the AJGA’s National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association’s success since 1989. Rolex Watch U.S.A., a supporter of the AJGA since 1983, became an AJGA Premier Partner in 2004.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. More than 160 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 300 wins. AJGA alumni include Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Davis Love III, Mike Weir, Charles Howell III, Jim Furyk, Vicki Goetze-Ackerman, Grace Park, Cristie Kerr and Beth Bauer.
For more information on the AJGA Marshallia Ranch Junior, contact tournament headquarters at (805) 734-1333.
