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AJGA ASHWORTH POSTSEASON JUNIOR AT HAGERSTOWN
Black Rock Golf Course
Hagerstown, Maryland
September 20-22, 2002
DAVIS BEGINS AJGA CAREER WITH VICTORY AT
HAGERSTOWN
Fifteen juniors earn exemptions for 2003 season
HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Brent Davis of Silver Spring, Md.,
shot a final-round 2-over-par 73 Sunday to capture medalist
honors at the AJGA Ashworth Postseason Junior at Hagerstown.
Davis trailed first round co-leader Clayton Rotz of Chambersburg,
Pa., the entire day, but was able to make a critical par on
No. 18 to vault past Rotz for the win.
The 36-hole event, conducted by the American Junior Golf Association,
was held at the par-71 Black Rock Golf Course in Hagerstown,
Md. The boys-only tournament is one of eight tournaments in
the AJGA Ashworth Preseason/Postseason Junior Series, designed
to provide playing opportunities to juniors who have not yet
played in an AJGA event. The 90-player event featured juniors
ages 13-18 representing 14 states and Washington D.C.
Davis didn't hit a green in regulation until No. 7, but was
able to rely on his short game to stay in contention. The
16-year-old recovered from a bogey on No. 3 by draining a
45-footer from the fringe for birdie on the next hole, but
bogeys on No. 5 and 8 left him at 2-over-par at the turn.
"My game wasn't there today, but I didn't make any mental
mistakes," Davis said. "I was able to grind it out
and hang in there."
Davis birdied No. 14 to try and erase his one-shot deficit,
but Rotz answered back with a 15-foot birdie to retain his
lead. Davis made par the next three holes to remain one-shot
down heading to No. 18.
Rotz found the water hazard with his approach to the green
to open the door for Davis. Davis left his approach just off
the green and got up and down for par and the victory.
"It feels good now," Davis said. "But I played
sloppy all day. It was one of those days where your short
game is your best friend.
"I shot 68 yesterday, so I think I proved I can play
with almost anybody. I feel real good about the past two days."
Rotz ended the day with a 3-over-par 74 to finish a shot back
at 142 for the tournament. Patrick Higgins of Phoenix, Md.,
placed third at 71-73--144. Chris Hass of Chevy Chase, Md.,
and David Holzworth of Chapel Hill, N.C., round out the top
five at 145.
Travis Palladino of Kennett Square, Pa., fired the low round
of the day with a 4-under-par 67 to jump from 50th place to
seventh. He was the only player in the field to break par
on the day.
The medalist of the event received three automatic entries
into AJGA events in 2003. The top-five finishers received
two automatic entries, while those who placed in the top 15
will be automatically accepted into one AJGA tournament.
For more information on the AJGA Ashworth Postseason Junior
at Hagerstown, or other AJGA tournaments, please contact our
national headquarters at (770) 868-4200, or log onto the Association's
Web site at ajga.org.
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