LAS VEGAS FOUNDERS JUNIOR QUALIFIER
The Revere at Anthem, Lexington Course
Henderson, Nevada
July 15-18, 2002

TWELVE JUNIORS QUALIFY FOR LAS VEGAS FOUNDERS JUNIOR
Kim earns medalist honors

HENDERSON, Nev. - Twelve boys qualified for the Las Vegas Founders Junior on the Lexington Course at The Revere at Anthem. Kenny Kim of Cerritos, Calif., took home medalist honors, finishing in first place with a 4-under-par 68.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Las Vegas Founders Junior Qualifier allowed 82 boys the opportunity to play their way into the 54-hole event. The tournament, being held July 15-18 on the Lexington Course at The Revere, features 84 juniors from 12 states, including five Nevada natives.

Kim finished the front nine at even-par with one birdie and one bogey. On the back nine, he had four birdies, including three consecutive on holes No. 15, 16 and 17. Kim finished three strokes ahead of the rest of the field.

"Today I tried to think positive," Kim said. "I am really tired so I had to find a way to motivate myself. I got off to a good start and was able to stay focused throughout the round. As for now, I need some sleep."

The 16-year-old is battling exhaustion after qualifying for last week's AJGA Rolex Tournament of Champions. Kim placed second in the qualifier and made the cut after the first two rounds at Rolex, eventually playing a round of golf seven days in a row in the Scottsdale, Ariz., heat. He will be a major contender for the title this week.

"This week I really want to play smart," Kim said. "I don't want to go for everything. On this course you need good tee shots so that you can set yourself up for birdies."

Brandon Beck of Oak Park, Calif., finished second with a 71. He got into trouble on his first hole of the day, but was able to drain a putt from five feet to save par. Beck eventually carded four birdies and three bogeys to finish his round at 1-under-par.

"My putting went really well for me," Beck said. "My dad saw something in my putting last week and I've been trying to keep my putter lower to the ground. I really worked hard on it the last few days and everything really clicked during my round. I only missed one putt from less than 10 feet."

Beck, 17, said he is looking forward to the championship event on an exciting course.

"I really like this course because it is relatively forgiving," Beck said. "If your ball lands in the rough there is a good chance that it will bounce into the fairway. The course also makes you think a lot. You have to place your shots in certain spots to get a good shot into the green. It's a fun course to play."

Other qualifiers include Hunter Kenihan of Irvine, Calif., Christopher Heintz of Brea, Calif., and Derek Sipe of Yorba Linda, Calif., at 72.

Michael McCaig of Fountain Valley, Calif., Anthony Lin of Diamond Bar, Calif., Drew Kravis of Calabasas, Calif., and Daniel Kim of Cerritos, Calif., tied for sixth and qualified at 73. Kevin Chen of Alamo, Calif., Justin Johnson of Las Vegas, Nev., and Chris Scott of Valley Springs, Calif., earned the final spots into the championship field with rounds of 74.

First Round competition begins Tuesday, July 16 at 7 a.m. off the No. 1 and 10 tees of the Lexington Course at The Revere at Anthem.

For more information on the Las Vegas Founders Junior, or other AJGA events, please contact AJGA tournament headquarters at (702) 617-5708.

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