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hp JUNIOR CLASSIC AT THE PINES
Grand View Lodge, The Pines Course
Nisswa, Minnesota
July 15 - 18, 2002
HERZOG PLAYS HIS GAME TO PULL AWAY FOR THE WIN
Jacobs cruises to her first AJGA title by eight strokes
NISSWA, Minn. -- As the threat of looming thunderstorms
subsided, Minnesota native Patrick Herzog of Red Wing, won
the hp Junior Classic at The Pines Thursday with rounds of
72-72-75--219. Mary Ellen Jacobs dominated the Girls Division
from start to finish as she took the crown by eight shots
with scores of 72-76-79-227.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the hp
Junior Classic at The Pines featured 84 players, both boys
and girls, representing 21 states with 32 participants hailing
from Minnesota.
Ever the even-keeled player, the 17-year-old Herzog remained
relaxed even after clinching the title.
"Of course I wanted to win this. You're always excited
when you win," Herzog said. "But I just try to play
the game and enjoy it. There's no sense doing something I
don't like."
Herzog didn't play his best golf on the final day, but he
managed to grind out the win as he maintained a level of consistency
to trump his previous best of a fourth-place finish at the
AJGA Golfweek Chicago Junior in June.
"I was happy with how I hit it, but I didn't score well,"
Herzog said. "I can get pretty intense, but today I was
more focused and that took some pressure off me."
Despite incurring a stroke penalty on No. 11 while incorrectly
taking relief what he thought to be casual water, Herzog maintained
his composure and birdied two of the next three holes.
"It was pretty tough to get penalized," Herzog said.
"If I had a temper, I don't think I would've had a chance
today."
Michael Haverfield of Louisville, Ky., and Eric Deutsch of
Rochester, Minn., finished in a tie for second at 223. Mike
Fiedler of Faribault, Minn., Chris Baker of Brownstown, Ind.,
and Derrick Whiting of Carlos, Minn., finished at 224 to tie
for fourth.
Jacobs sat atop the Girls Division by 11 strokes as play began,
and she made the lead stand in winning her first AJGA event.
"My goal this summer was to win an AJGA event,"
Jacobs said. "From being looked at by college coaches
to becoming exempt for all the big tournaments. This is where
it's all at."
Despite holding a commanding lead on the girls' field, the
18-year-old Jacobs admitted to feeling uneasy before her round
began.
"Even though I was up by 11 shots, I was still nervous
because anything can happen," Jacobs said. "I struggled
today and I wish I could've played my usual game, but I made
a lot of key putts that saved me. I'm really excited to have
won, though. It's a great feeling."
Brittany Adams of Huntington, W.Va., finished alone in second
place with a three-round total of 235. Kelly Weisgarber of
Fargo, N.D., rounds out the top three as she carded a 237
total.
For more information on the hp Junior Classic at The Pines
or any other AJGA event, please call the national headquarters
at (877) 373-2542.
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