AJGA JOHN DEERE CLASSIC JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER
Glynn's Creek Golf Course
Long Grove, Iowa
August 12, 2002

FIELD SET FOR SECOND ANNUAL JOHN DEERE CLASSIC JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
12 boys, four girls qualify for event in Iowa

LONG GROVE, Iowa - Mike Musgjerd of Wilmette, Ill., and Adam Collins of Des Moines, Iowa, fired low rounds of 3-under-par 69 Monday to garner medalist honors at the AJGA John Deere Classic Junior Championship Qualifier, held at the par-72 Glynn's Creek Golf Course. Jacquelyn Nemcik of College Station, Texas, carded even-par 72 to take the Girls Division.

The 18-hole qualifying event, conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, gave 85 boys and girls, ages 13-18, the opportunity to earn a spot into the 54-hole Championship event, which begins Wednesday.

Musgjerd, an 18-year-old senior-to-be, bagged five birdies and two bogeys en route to a round of 33-36-69. One of the highlights in Musgjerd's round came on the par-4, 400-yard fifth when Musgjerd holed out for birdie from 50 yards.

"I was putting myself in position for birdies today," Musgjerd said. "My round went well because I was hitting greens and had 16 putts for birdie. Now I just need to concentrate on staying focused and not let this round get to my head."

Collins, who will play golf for Indian Hills Community College in the fall, made birdie on the par-4, 426-yard 18th by sinking a 55-foot putt from the back of the green. Three other birdies and one bogey completed his round of 34-35-69.

"I played conservatively today and hit 16 greens," said the 18-year-old. "The wind affected my club decision a little, but I hit the ball well, so it really didn't matter. For the rest of the week, I need to work on hitting wedges out of the rough."

Other qualifiers for this week's event include J Hlavacek of Aurora, Ill., Chris Bouchard of Zion, Ill., Andrew Denenberg of Highland Park, Ill., John Westly of Asheville, N.C., Andrew Hoegh of Knoxville, Iowa, Andrew Frame of Manteno, Ill., Travis Meyer of River Falls, Wis., Stephen Cox of Jonesboro, Ark., Ted Gray of Oshkosh, Wis., and Chris Lewe of Lisle, Ill.
In the Girls Division, Nemcik, 17, carded four bogeys and four birdies during her round of 35-37-72. As the qualifier medalist, she is looking to better her best AJGA finish of 14th at last year's AJGA Texace San Antonio Shootout.

"I hit a lot of fairways today which really helps because this rough is tough to get out of," Nemcik said. "The wind was difficult today and the ground was pretty hard, but all I had to do was go for a club less and let it roll to the green."

Jessica Parmenter of Peoria, Ill., Erin Goranson of Edmond, Okla., and Gina Tesi of Omaha, Neb., also qualified for the Championship event.

The John Deere Classic Junior Championship will feature 99 players representing 19 states and Canada, with the majority of competitors hailing from Illinois.

First-round tee times will begin at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, August 14, off the No. 1 tee at Glynn's Creek Golf Course.

For more information on the AJGA John Deere Classic Junior Championship, contact tournament headquarters at (563) 285-6635.

#AJGA#