TaylorMade-adidas Golf Junior at Chateau Elan
Chateau Elan Resort, Chateau and Woodlands Courses
Braselton, Ga.
March 29-31, 2002

RAIN-SOAKED SCHENK, WADE EARN TITLES
AT TAYLORMADE-adidas GOLF JUNIOR AT CHATEAU ELAN

BRASELTON, Ga. - This time around, the stormy weather couldn't put an early end to the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Junior at Chateau Elan.

Although lightning and heavy rains forced interruption of play in both the first and second rounds, the American Junior Golf Association still completed 36 holes Sunday at the Chateau and Woodlands courses at Chateau Elan Resort.

Weathering the storm, Nicholas Schenk of Batavia, Ill., and Whitney Wade of Glasgow, Ky., claimed the titles at the ninth annual Easter tournament.

The first round of play was delayed overnight Saturday, but Sunday's dry morning weather allowed play to resume. The second round was briefly interrupted by an afternoon downpour, and play was completed just as another storm was rolling in.

"I couldn't believe we got in 36, but I'm glad that we did," said boys' champion Schenk.

Schenk fired two rounds of 2-under-par 69 and his consistency paid off. Although he was down by one shot after the first round, his 4-under-par total of 138 was difficult to beat, as he won by a shot.

The one-shot margin may have been the result of Schenk's tee shot at the 194-yard 12th hole, his final hole in the shotgun round. Schenk nearly holed his tee shot over water, leaving a three-inch tap-in for birdie that helped him avoid a three-way tie for first place.

Schenk's final round was highlighted by five birdies and he needed every one of them to get past runner-up Kevin Kisner of Aiken, S.C., who fired rounds of 73-66-139. Kisner sank seven birdies in his final round. Christopher Kirk of Woodstock, Ga., shared second place with rounds of 71-68-139.

The girls' champion Wade fired two rounds of even-par 72 to earn her fourth career AJGA victory by a single shot with an even-par 144.

Although bothersome, the weather did not hinder her abilities.

"It didn't affect me too much," Wade said. "It slowed things down and it was harder to play on a wet course, but we stayed pretty dry and I stayed focused."

The 16-year-old high school junior is the top female amateur in Kentucky, having won the Kentucky Women's Amateur three years straight. At age 13, she became the event's youngest winner.

On the national level, Wade is also among the best, as she proved by defeating many of the top players at Chateau Elan in adverse weather conditions. Although she led after the first round, Wade was happy to complete the second round, even though a cancellation would have ensured her victory.

"It means more to play 36 holes, because I was able to handle the pressure of contending for the title," Wade said.

Jennifer Pandolfi of Navarre, Fla., followed her first-round 76 with a girls' tournament-low 69 to finish one stroke back at 1-over-par 145. In-Bee Park of Eustis, Fla., shot 73-74-147 to claim third place.

For more information, call the AJGA National Headquarters at (770) 868-4200.

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