AJGA CALLAWAY GOLF JUNIOR ALL-STAR AT CIMARRON
Cimarron Golf Resort, Long Course
Cathedral City, California
July 1-3, 2002

VIVOLO FIRES 3-UNDER-PAR 68 TO LEAD AT CIMARRON
Joh and Gannon share Girls Division lead

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. -- Chad Vivolo of Carmel, Calif., turned in a bogey-free round of 68 to take the lead at the AJGA Callaway Golf Junior All-Star Classic at Cimarron. Tiffany Joh of San Diego, Calif., and Tia Gannon of Hilton Head Island, S.C., carded matching 73s to sit atop the Girls Division.

The 36-hole event, conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, is being held on the par-71 Long Course at the Cimarron Golf Resort. The 84-player field features players from 18 states - including 51 California natives - and Canada and Japan.

The Callaway Golf Junior All-Star Series was created to give 13- to 15-year-old AJGA members more opportunities to compete against players from across the country. The AJGA will conduct seven Junior All-Star Series events in 2002, which is now in its fifth year of existence.

Vivolo finished his first nine holes with all pars. He went on to birdie the first two holes of his final nine and finished his round with a birdie on the 183-yard, par-3 ninth hole.

"My putting went well for me today and most of them seemed to drop," Vivolo said. "I hit a lot of fairways and didn't make any mistakes or get in trouble. This is a nice course, but it has a lot of bunkers. You really have to be careful out there and stay in the fairways."

The 13-year-old, who is only playing in his second AJGA event, credited his field-leading 68 to consistent play and a solid back nine.

"I had some cushion on the back nine because I birdied the first two holes," Vivolo said. "I need to stay consistent tomorrow. I want to hit greens and give myself birdie opportunities."

Brandon Holub of Higley, Ariz., Rory Hie of Lakewood, Calif., and Michael Quagliano of White Plains, N.Y., are tied for second at 69.

Joh missed Monday's practice round because she was in the process of shooting 72 to qualify for the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur. However, in the first round she carded a birdie and a bogey to finish the front nine at even par. After making birdie on the 126-yard, par-3 12th hole, Joh made in a double-bogey on No. 13 and finished her round tied for the lead at 2-over-par 73.

"The first six holes I was trying to get used to the course," Joh said. "I was a little nervous, but my putting was pretty good and I was able to stay calm. The key to this course is staying accurate on short irons and the birdies will come."

Gannon traveled across the country in search of her first national title. She started her round with a double-bogey on No. 1, but was able to birdie No. 7 and close the front nine at 1-over par. Gannon also played the back nine at 1-over-par to jump into the lead with Joh.

"Today was good because I hit a lot of fairways and greens in regulation," Gannon said. "A lot of my putts fell. I was happy to keep it together after my double-bogey on the first hole. I want to come out fast tomorrow and play well."

Sommer Scholl of Riverside, Calif., and Kelly Nakashima of Wailuku, Hawaii, are tied for third at 74.

For more information on the AJGA Callaway Golf Junior All-Star Classic at Cimarron, please call tournament headquarters at (760) 770-6060, ext. 114, or visit the Association's Web site at ajga.org.

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