Garber Looks to Close Junior Career with a Win at the Coca-Cola Junior Championship at Boyne Highlands
Bertuccioli improves lead at Boyne Highlands Resort - Heather Course

HARBOR SPRINGS, Mich. — Hometown golfer Joey Garber of Petoskey, Mich., fired a 4-under-par 68 to maintain the lead in the Boys Division at the Boyne Highlands Resort — Heather Course. Martina Bertuccioli of Cordoba, Argentina, shot a 1-over-par 73 to push her lead to four strokes in the Girls Division at the Coca-Cola Junior Championship at Boyne Highlands.

The Coca-Cola Junior Championship at Boyne Highlands is a 54-hole stroke play event conducted by the American Junior Golf Association at the Boyne Highlands Resort — Heather Course in Harbor Springs, Mich. The 143-player tournament field features 108 boys and 35 girls, ages 12-18, from 17 states, Argentina, China, Thailand, and Canada. The Boys Division is playing the par-72 course at 6,996 yards while the Girls Division is playing at 6,077 yards.

Garber, who has carded no bogeys this week, sank four second-round birdies to shoot a two-day total 7-under-par 137. Playing on his home course, Garber felt at ease hitting 14 greens and 12 fairways on the day.

“I've been driving the ball well lately,” Garber said. “The most important thing out here is hitting the right spots on the green in order to give yourself a good look at birdie. I've been able to do that and make a few birdies.”

Playing in what could be his last junior golf tournament, Garber said it would be ideal to finish his junior career with a win at home.

“It would be nice to go out with a win and have a little confidence as I get my game ready for college golf,” Garber said. He will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall.

In second place is KK Limbhaust of Bangkok, Thailand, with a 3-under-par 141. In third sits Nicholas Scott of Union, Ohio, with a 2-under-par 142. Francesco Ruffino of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., is in fourth with an even-par 144. In a tie for fifth are Andrew Yeager of Grand Rapids, Mich., Chad Merzbacher of Dublin, Ohio, Korey Ward of West Chester, Ohio, and Yifan Liu of Guangzhou, China, with 2-over-par 146.

Bertuccioli, who is coming off medalist honors after Monday's K12 Qualifier and a first-round lead on Tuesday, maintained her solid play carding a second-round total 1-under-par 143. Attributing her play to a strong short game, Bertuccioli said she is excited to be in the lead.

“I'm very happy,” Bertuccioli said. “I traveled all the way from Argentina to play and my family is here with me, so I'm going to try to keep playing like I did yesterday.”

Focusing on her short game this week, Bertuccioli has been able to capitalize and keep high scores off her card.

“I try to be patient and make good putts,” Bertuccioli said. “I think putting is the most important aspect in golf.”

In second place is Christina Foster of Concord, Ontario with a 3-over-par 147. Kris Yoo of Schaumburg, Ill., and Katia Joo of Rolling Hills, Calif., are in a tie for third with 5-over-par 149.

Boyne Highlands Resort, located in Harbor Springs, Michigan, is home to The Golf Channel's Big Break X: Michigan. The full-service resort lures golfers with 72 holes of public play championship golf and delights vacationers with its Scottish charm. Luxury accommodations, savory cuisine, a par-3 course, horseback trail rides and the Young Americans Dinner Theatre make Boyne Highlands Resort a popular destination for golf and family vacations. Golf and lodging packages start at $76 per person. For more information, visit www.BOYNE.com.

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 provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships, and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and 30 countries. To ensure scholarship opportunities for all junior golfers who have the skill, the AJGA created the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program to provide financial assistance to young players in need.

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. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 400 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Stewart Cink, Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel.

Final-round tee times will run from 7:30 — 9:09 a.m. (morning wave) and noon - 1:39 p.m. (afternoon wave) Thursday, July 8, off the Nos. 1 and 10 tees at Boyne Highland Resort — Heather Course. For more information about the Coca-Cola Junior Championship please contact Tournament Director Rachel Graves at (231) 526-3164.