FISH MAINTAINS CONSISTENCY, LEADS GIRLS DIVISION BY FOUR AFTER TWO ROUNDS
Shindler shoots 3-under-par 68 to overtake lead in the Boys Division

AUSTIN, Texas — Shannon Fish of Spring, Texas, shot an even-par 35 on the front nine en route to a second-round 72 and two-day total of 146, to take a four-shot lead at the Fidelity Investments Stars of Texas Junior on Thursday. In the Boys Division, Conrad Shindler of Coppell, Texas, took the lead heading into the final round after recording four birdies on the back nine for a 3-under-par 33 and two-day score of 140.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Fidelity Investments Stars of Texas Junior is being held at The University of Texas Golf Club. The par-71 course is set up at 6,907 yards for the Boys Division and 5,923 yards for the Girls Division. The tournament field consists of 78 boys and 25 girls, ages 12-18, representing 11 states and Mexico, and includes 83 Texas residents.

Fish made the turn already having made one birdie and seven pars on the front nine. She continued to shoot low on the back nine, posting a second birdie on the 346-yard, par-4 No. 10, and later carded seven additional pars. Fish, who has not won an AJGA event since the 2003 Nike Golf Junior All-Star Classic at Ames, Iowa, said that having to wait was challenging on the last few holes, but remaining relaxed and focused was crucial to her consistent play.

“I try not to let anything get to me,” said Fish. “I try not to get too excited or too upset, and I like to turn outside pressure into something positive, which will help me play well in the long run.”

Looking forward to the final round, Fish intends to keep a level head and use the same fundamental skills she has known for years. Ultimately, her goal is to simply play her best.

“I never set a number goal because I feel that is a limit,” said Fish. “No matter what tournament or event I am at, I try to play my best and post a good number.”

Kelsey Vines of Austin recorded two birdies on the back nine to finish the round with a 3-over par 74 and two-day score of 150. Vines stands in second place, just four strokes off the leader's pace. After carding a first-round 79, Sarah Zwartynski of Allen, Texas, rallied her way into the top spots on the leader board, shooting a 1-over-par 72 for a two-day total of 151. Zwartynski, who recorded consecutive birdies on hole Nos. 10 and 11, stands five strokes behind the leader in third place.

Shindler, a 2007 graduate, most recently won the 2006 Smithfield Junior Championship in Blairsville, Pa. Shindler caught on fire on the back side, placing every shot near the flagstick. On the No. 12, 166-yard, par-3, Shindler used a 7-iron to hit the ball 15-feet to the right of the hole, and eventually made the putt for birdie. Overall, Shindler looks to improve his AJGA status by claiming back-to-back titles as he focuses on hitting one shot at a time.

“For me, I felt like the front side was slow today, but on the back side I couldn't miss,” said Shindler. “I felt confident over every iron shot. As for tomorrow, I feel good, but I can't get ahead of myself. I just need to stay in the moment.”

Three boys stand tied for second after shooting two-round totals of 143. Cody Gribble of Dallas carded a 4-over-par 75, Adam Wennerstrom of Austin fired a 1-under-par 70, and Hunter Bronson of Mobile, Ala., recorded a 3-under par 68. Four boys are tied for fifth place with a two-day score of 2-over-par 144. Bobby Briskie of Dallas, Johnathan Schnitzer of Houston, Brett Spencer of Plano, Texas, and Dillon Rust of Edmond, Okla., all stand four strokes back.

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 largest Association of its kind, the AJGA has a junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 50 states and 30 foreign countries.

Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association's success since 1989. Rolex Watch USA, which enters its third decade of support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004.

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, Candie Kung, Grace Park, Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer.

Final-round tee times will run from 7:30 a.m. — 12:27 p.m. off the No. 1 tee at The University of Texas Golf Club on Friday. For more information on the Fidelity Investments Stars of Texas Junior, please call AJGA tournament headquarters at (512) 266-6464.