HARBOR SPRINGS, Mich. -- A scalding 6-under-par 30 on the back nine catapulted Bronson Burgoon of The Woodlands, Texas, to a round of 68 in the Boys Division as he garnered the AJGA Buick Junior Open Qualifier title Monday. In the Girls Division, Jordyn Wells of Bethel Park, Pa., shot 4-over-par 75 to take the crown.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Buick Junior Open Qualifier allowed 15 juniors, 12 boys and three girls, the opportunity to "play their way" into the 54-hole championship event.

Starting his round on No.7, Burgoon struggled to make solid contact with the ball as he began play. As he rounded the turn, though, a good 8-iron shot on No. 10 left him five feet from the flagstick, and Burgoon was on his way to a spectacular back nine.

"At one point I hit 13 straight greens which put me in great position on every hole," Burgoon said. "I worked on my swing for two and a half hours yesterday, and today after I struggled I went through my swing thoughts and I was grooving."

Burgoon made eagles on Nos. 11 and 15 and he missed an opportunity for a third when his tee shot at No. 16 fell two inches short of the hole.

"I tried to find a ball strikers course, and this is a ball strikers course," Burgoon said. "It fits my game perfectly."

Other qualifiers included, Eric Meierdierks of Wilmette, Ill.; Brandon Lemons of Portage, Mich.; Jon Boguth of Sterling Heights, Mich.; Brian Ottenweller of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Drew Davis of Anderson, Ind.; John Pryce of East Lansing, Mich.; Mikhial Pasic of London, Ontario; James Rasik of Toledo, Ohio; John Skelton of Laverne, Calif.; Michael King of Livonia, Mich.; and Adam Nichol of Morton, Ill.

For the girls, Wells changed a major part of her game, and has seen marked improvement.
"I changed my putting grip from a cross-handed grip to a regular one," Wells said.

The 16-year-old Wells carded three double-bogeys, but she weathered her mistakes with four birdies, as she continues to master her putting stroke.

"Normally my iron game is incredible, but today my putting was great," Wells said.

Wells is convinced she can perform well on the Heather Course.

"This course sets up well for my game because I hit the ball pretty far and accurate," Wells said. "I know if I shoot what I did today or better that I will be in the hunt. My goal for the week is to finish in the top five and play well."

Jennifer Hong of Windermere, Fla., and Carly Hunt of Berwyn, Pa., rounded out the qualifiers in the Girls Division.

The Buick Junior Open will feature 99 players, both boys and girls, representing 17 states and Canada with 27 participants hailing from Michigan.

First round tee times will run from 7:30 a.m. - 12:27 p.m. Tuesday off the No. 1 tee at Boyne Highlands Resort, Heather Course.

For more information on the Buick Junior Open, contact tournament headquarters at (231) 526-3189.

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