DALINKA HOLDS LEAD BY TWO STROKES IN BOYS DIVISION AT CRESTWOOD COUNTRY CLUB
Kennedy moves to first in Girls Division
REHOBOTH, Mass., - Brandon Dalinka leads the Boys Division of the AJGA Rhode Island Classic after firing a 7-under-par 135 tournament total. Currently leading the Girls Division is Casey Ann Kennedy of Venice, Fla., who came into the clubhouse with an 8-over-par 150 tournament total.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the AJGA Rhode Island Classic is a 54-hole stroke play event held at Crestwood Country Club. The 99-player field features players from 21 states and Ontario. The par-71 course is being played at 6,447 yards for the Boys Division and 5,898 yards for the Girls Division.
In the Boys Division, Dalinka said he got started off right with a birdie on No. 2. He also said he improved his putting as well as his ball striking.
“I missed a short birdie on No. 12 but followed it with a good birdie on No. 13,” Dalinka said. “Tomorrow I'll keep myself focused and take every shot individually.”
In addition to birdies on Nos. 2 and 13, Dalinka also birdied Nos. 4, 6, 10 and 18 for a 3-under-par 32 on the front nine and a 2-under-par 34 on the back nine for a 5-under-par 66 on the day.
Taylor Szyndlar of Jupiter, Fla., is currently in second, posting a 5-under-par 137 tournament total. Cameron Wilson of Rowayton, Conn., is in third, carding a 2-under-par 140 tournament total, while Mark Pollak of San Antonio and Jeff Quinn of Anthem, Ariz., are both tied for fourth posting 1-under-par 141 tournament totals.
In the Girls Division, Kennedy said being in the lead for the first time in her AJGA career means a lot. She said the reason for performing so well was concentration and practicing good drills.
“My ball striking is getting better,” Kennedy said. “Tomorrow I'll play a little safer and go for the middle of the fairway and greens and know I have to make each shot.”
After birdieing Nos. 6, 12, 15 and 17, Kennedy finished the front nine with a 3-over-par 38 and the back nine with a 1-under-par 35 for a 2-over-par 73 on the day.
In a three-way tie for second place are Samantha Morrell of North Kingstown, R.I., Meghan Chapman of Seminole, Fla., and Stani Schiavone of Bangor, Pa., all posting 10-over-par 152 tournament totals.
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.
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.
Final-round tee times will run from 7-11:57 a.m. off the No. 1 tee. For more information about the AJGA Rhode Island Classic, please contact tournament headquarters at (678) 963-0163.
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