SCHERER CLAIMS FIRST AJGA TITLE BY 5 STROKES AT THE INTERNATIONAL
Detlefsen wins Girls Division at Fidelity Investments Junior Classic
BOLTON, Mass.- Brian Scherer of Midland, Texas, and Katie Detlefsen of Eagan, Minn., claimed first-ever AJGA tournament titles in their respective divisions at the Fidelity Investments Junior Classic Thursday.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Fidelity Investments Junior Classic was a 54-hole stroke-play competition featuring 87 boys and girls from 19 states and two counties. The Fidelity Investments Junior Classic was hosted by The International-Pines Course, known as “the world's longest golf course” at 8,325 yards. The par-72 course played at 6,919 for the Boys Division and the Girls Division played at 5,949 yards.
Scherer, who was tied with Chase Lovett-Woodsum of Boston at 3-under-par 141 heading into the final round, sealed the win in the Boys Division by five strokes with a 72-69-68-209 tournament total. Scherer attributed his first AJGA win to his solid driver play.
“My best shot of the day was on No. 18,” Scherer said, who hit 12 of 14 fairways in regulation. “I hit a solid drive, center of the fairway and only 250 yards out from the flagstick.”
In late June, Scherer tied for sixth at the Randy Smith Classic presented by the Lubbock Sports Authority, but Thursday's win at The International-Pines Course was his first victory.
“I have been working so hard all summer,” Scherer said, who carded four birdies on the day. “It feels good to lock one up.”
In second was Alex Moon of Dallas with a tournament total of 214, while Brian Murphy of Wilton, Conn., claimed third with a tournament total of 216. James Back of Brea, Calif., took fourth with a 218 tournament total and Connor Alan-Lee of Solana Beach, Calif., Alberto Belan of Santiago, Chile, and Evan Harmeling of North Reading, Mass., tied for fifth with tournament totals of 219.
In the Girls Division, Detlefsen took home her first AJGA championship trophy with a 72-72-75-219 tournament total and credited the mental toughness she has gained from competing locally as her key to success.
“I stayed on top of things mentally. It seems in local competition that on the final day I am only leading by a few strokes so today was no different,” Detlefsen said, who is a three-time Minnesota state champion. “I tried hard not to think of anyone else's game because that is not something you can control.”
Detlefsen's mentality, plus a strong short game, kept her ahead of the field that included the 2005 Fidelity Investments Junior Classic defending champion, Brittany Altomare, of Shrewsbury, Mass.
“I was relying on my wedge and putter to keep in contention since I only hit 10 greens,” Detlefsen said. “I saved myself by getting up and down.”
Altomare, after winning the AJGA Richmond Junior Classic two weeks ago, carded a 220 tournament total, while Pamela Burneski of Surrey, British Columbia, took third with a tournament total of 222.
The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA, the largest Association of its kind, has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 50 states and 30 foreign countries.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. More than 160 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 300 wins. AJGA alumni include Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Davis Love III, Mike Weir, Charles Howell III, Jim Furyk, Grace Park, Cristie Kerr, Candie Kung and Paula Creamer.
For more information on the Fidelity Investments Junior Classic, contact AJGA headquarters at (770) 868-4200.
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