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AJGA FIRST STATE BANK SOUTHWESTERN JUNIOR
CLASSIC
Isleta Eagle Golf Course
Albuquerque, New Mexico
May 28-31, 2002
FIRST-TIME CHAMPIONS WIN SOUTHWESTERN JUNIOR
CLASSIC
Tolan, Rollins maintain focus through final round
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Two juniors claimed their first
AJGA titles at the First State Bank Southwestern Junior Classic
after a heated final round of competition. Derek Tolan of
Highlands Ranch, Colo., carded a 4-under-par 68 for a tournament
total of 208. Ashley Rollins of Austin, Texas, scored a final
round 72, setting the tournament's three-day tournament total
record at 210 and earning the tournament title.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, this 54-hole,
three-day event was held at the par-72 Isleta Eagle Golf Course.
The 99-player field featured players from 15 states, including
four Polo Golf Junior All-Americans. Twenty-one New Mexico
natives represented their home state.
Tolan entered the final round three strokes behind Polo Golf
Junior All-American Randy Lowry of Spring, Texas. He used
a new perspective about the final round and dropped four critical
birdies on the back nine to grab his first national title.
"I've started not thinking about what other people are
doing in the final round," Tolan said. "I pick a
number that I think can win and shoot for it. This way I set
a goal for myself and keep striving."
Tolan set the magic number at 66, but a final round 68 was
good enough to win.
"This feels so good to play well and win a tournament
that has such an impressive field," Tolan said. "I
had a lot of fun this week because it was a great tournament
and the course was in excellent shape."
Lowry finished behind Tolan's 71-69-68-208 with a three-day
total of 69-68-73-210. Jeremy Alcorn of Brownwood, Texas,
finished third at 211. Michael Thompson of Tucson, Ariz.,
finished fourth at 213 and Blake Parks of Odessa, Texas, rounded
out the Boys Division top five at 214.
Rollins picked up her first AJGA victory by firing rounds
of 71-67-72-210. After finishing the front nine 2-under-par,
she played even on the back nine until a bad lie on No. 17
cost her two strokes.
"The front nine went really well for me today,"
Rollins said. "I was getting the ball a lot closer to
the flag and making my birdie putts."
Rollins credited the victory to consistent play and staying
focused.
"I'm really pleased with the way I played this week,"
Rollins said. "It feels good to win this tournament.
This has been a great week."
Kelly Husted of Sarasota, Fla., who started the day six shots
back, gave Rollins a scare as she turned in a final round
score of 67. She finished second at 70-74-67-211 while Phoenix
native Lauren Todd placed third with a three-day total of
69-74-72-215.
For more information about the AJGA First State Bank Southwestern
Junior Classic, or any other AJGA events, please call AJGA
national headquarters at 770-868-4200.
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