LEVITT HOLDS ONTO LEAD AT STOCKTON SPORTS COMMISSION JUNIOR CLASSIC
Spiranac causes panic in Girls Division, takes lead at The Reserve at Spanos Park

STOCKTON, Calif. — Andrew Levitt of Laguna Niguel, Calif., held onto the lead after he carded an even-par 72 in Wednesday's second round. His two-day total of 4-under-par 140 gives him a three shot lead heading into Thursday's final round. Paige Spiranac of Monument, Colo., took the lead in the Girls Division after firing a second round 1-over-par 73 bringing her to a two-day total of 1-over-par 145.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Stockton Sports Commission Junior Classic is a 54-hole stroke play event being held at The Reserve at Spanos Park. The tournament field features 72 boys and 27 girls, ages 12-18, from five states, Mexico, Japan, China and Canada. The Boys Division played the par-72 course from 7,039 yards, while the Girls Division is playing at 6,246 yards.

Levitt, a rising sophomore, continued to play well. His front nine was a bit slow as he recorded a single bogey to go out in 1-over-par 37. After a bogey on No. 10 he proceeded to make eagle on the 519 yard par-5 11th. He went on to make birdies on Nos. 12 and 13 to go 4-under-par on three holes. After recording bogeys on Nos. 14 and 18 coming in he carded an even-par 72. Although he wasn't ecstatic about his play, he is optimistic about taking the lead into the final round.

“Today was a bit scrappy,” Levitt said. “I have to play more aggressively which is how I have been playing the past few weeks. I've been firing at most of the pins and that's what I'm going to do tomorrow.”

Alfred Castro of La Quinta, Calif., shot a 1-under-par 71 to bring him to a two-day total of 1-under-par 143. Tied for third are Tomohiro Umeyama of Mooka-City, Japan, and Richard Sunghee Jeong of Arcadia, Calif., each sit with two-day totals of even-par 144. Robert Jacobsen of Racine, Wis., Robin Jang of Los Angeles, Bobby Monaco of Eugene, Ore., Ryann Ree of Redondo Beach, Calif., and Robert Palacios of Chino Hills, Calif., are all tied for fifth each with two-day totals of 1-over-par 145.

In the Girls Division, Spiranac played steady recording three birdies and four bogeys on the day. Although she has done well on other junior golf tours, she has yet to win an AJGA event. She relied heavily on her short game as she only hit 9 of 18 greens on the day.

“I didn't give myself many good opportunities for birdies, which is crucial in having a good round,” Spiranac said. “But I scrambled really well today and had a lot of up and downs.”

T.J. Kliebphipat of Panorama City, Calif., sits in second with a two-day total of 2-over-par 146. Tied for third are Casie Cathrea of Livermore, Calif., and Seo Hee Moon of Mukilteo, Wash., each sit at 5-over-par 149.

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.

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 200 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 350 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 for the Stockton Sports Commission Junior Classic will run from 7:30 a.m. — 12:50 p.m. off the No. 1 tee Thursday at The Reserve at Spanos Park. For more information about the Stockton Sports Commission Junior Classic please contact Tournament Director Tommy Tangtiphaiboontana at (678) 617-2424.