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AJGA FIELDSTONE JUNIOR CLASSIC
Fieldstone Golf Club
Greenville, Delaware
July 22-25, 2002
GRIER TAKES FIRST AJGA WIN
IN SUDDEN-DEATH PLAYOFF AT FIELDSTONE
Pelet makes a dramatic come-back for Boys
Division honors
GREENVILLE, Del. - Ashley Grier of Hagerstown, Md.,
won a one-hole sudden-death playoff against Delaware native
Jessica Reno of Wilmington at the AJGA Fieldstone Junior Classic
to capture her first career AJGA title. John Pelet of Atglen,
Pa., fired a final-round 69 to claim the Boys Division title.
The 54-hole event, held at the par-71 Fieldstone Golf Club
was conducted by the American Junior Golf Association. The
field featured 87 juniors representing 17 states, including
five Delaware natives.
Grier, who will be joining the women's golf team at Jacksonville
University in the fall, came into Thursday's final-round six
shots behind second-round leader Michaela Cavener of Ponca,
City, Okla. To get into contention, she wanted to maintain
a steady pace, as well as try to make par on every hole.
"Out of the gate, I made birdie on No. 1 and Michaela
doubled-bogeyed," the 18-year-old said. "I knew
if I made par or better for the remaining round, I knew I
could catch her."
Grier (76-77-75-228) did more than just catch her. The Maryland
native putted to save twelve pars and to close on the lead
down the stretch.
"I knew I had passed Michaela on No.11 when I made par
and she tripled-bogeyed, but I didn't even know that Jessica
was that close. She had an awesome back nine."
Reno (75-80-73-228) added four birdies on Nos. 11, 15, 17
and 18 for a 2-under-par 34 on the back nine to tie her with
Grier and place her into a sudden-death playoff.
"I had no idea where I was today. I just concentrated
on my game which worked very well," the rising high school
senior said. "In the playoff, I was nervous and excited
at the same time. I should have concentrated more, like I
did all day. Overall, I am pleased with how I played today."
Oklahoma native Michaela Cavener of Ponca City finished third
at 233.
In the Boys Division, the 18-year-old Pelet (79-69-69-217)
had an even-par performance on the front nine and looked to
post the low-round of the day with a 2-under-par 69 and the
crown.
Tied for seventh after the second-round, Pelet knew he had
a chance at the title when he made a birdie on the 550-yard,
par-5 tenth hole set up by a 395-yard tee-shot that allowed
him to use a 5-iron to place him on the green in two.
"I absolutely knew that I had a shot today after being
even-par at the turn and nailing that drive on No. 10,"
the rising high school senior said. "It is easy to make
big numbers on this course because it is so tough, but today
I only missed one fairway and about five greens, which helped
my game."
Adam Cohan of Wayne, Pa., carded a final-round of 75 to finish
in second place at 218 while Marco Poccia of Gansevoort, N.Y.,
finished in third place at 219 after a 72 in the final round.
Tony Dibitetto of Rochester, N.Y., and Will Osborne of Wichita
Falls, Texas, rounded out the top five at 222 for the tournament.
For more information about the AJGA Fieldstone Junior Classic,
or other events, please contact the AJGA National Tournament
Headquarters at (877) 377-2542.
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