MAGGIO TAKES GIRLS DIVISION, BESTS FIELD BY 10 STROKES
Mayo keeps lead, named Boys Division Champion

SAN ANTONIO — Mary Michael Maggio of Conway, Ark., earned a 10-stroke victory and her first Girls Division Championship Thursday with a 76-68-71 — 215 total at the Valero Texas Open Junior Shootout. Robert Mayo of Austin, Texas held off the Boys Division Thursday, posting a 68-68-76 — 212 total to become Boys Division Champion.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Valero Texas Open Junior Shootout was a 54-hole stroke play event held at San Antonio Country Club. The 120-player field featured players from 13 states, Washington D.C., and Mexico. The course was played at 6,690 yards for the Boys Division and 6,070 yards for the Girls Division.

Maggio began 2-under-par after three holes, but then carded three bogeys and one double bogey by No. 10.

“It was nice to have a cushion after yesterday, but into the round I saw it disappearing.” Maggio said.

Maggio came back with a vengeance and finished the back nine 3-under-par, carding four straight birdies on Nos. 15 through 18, posting a final-round 1-under-par 71.

“A lot of people watch to see if big rounds can be backed up,” Maggio said of her second-round, 4-under-par 68. “It was a definite confidence booster to be able to show that I could with a solid round today.”

Amy Ruengmateekhun of Garland, Texas finished with a tournament total of 225 to take second place. Erynne Lee of Silverdale, Wash., and Felicia Espericueta of Edinburg, Texas, tied for third posting 229 tournament totals to round out the Girls Division.

In the Boys Division, Mayo's front nine did little to reflect the golf he played all week, as he started the day 5-over-par after seven holes.

“It was a little bit of nerves, and I fell into a tendency of mine of being really quick with my rhythm,” Mayo said.

Playing solid golf from No. 8 into the clubhouse, Mayo was able to once again take charge with five holes to play. Tied with Juan Pablo Hernandez of Mexico City after No. 15, Mayo carded birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 to take the title by two strokes.

“Those last holes were all heart and will,” Mayo said.

Hernandez finished the tournament in second place with a tournament total of 214. Broc Raymond of The Woodlands, Texas, took third posting a 215 tournament total. Tied for fourth, Matthew Vela of San Antonio and Adam Wennerstrom of Austin, Texas both carded even-par 216s.

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 49 states and 25 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 is in its third decade of AJGA support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004. In 2007, after 12 years of support, Polo Ralph Lauren became the AJGA's second Premier Partner.

The largest Association of its kind, the AJGA has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of more than 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and more than 25 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 Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Stewart Cink, Davis Love III, Cristie Kerr, Pat Hurst, Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome, Morgan Pressel and Julieta Granada.

For more information on the Valero Texas Open Junior Shootout, please contact AJGA Headquarters at (770) 868-4200.