Barker Leads Boys Division After First Round of AJGA Nebraska Junior at Quarry Oaks
Lee posts AJGA-best to finish atop the Girls Division Leaderboard
ASHLAND, Neb. — Caleb Barker of Highlands Ranch, Colo., posted a 4-under-par 67 to finish in the lead after the first day of the AJGA Nebraska Junior at Quarry Oaks. Somin Lee will head into the second round atop the Girls Division leaderboard after carding a 1-under-par 70.
The AJGA Nebraska Junior at Quarry Oaks is a 54-hole stroke play tournament conducted by the American Junior Golf Association at Quarry Oaks in Ashland, Nebraska. The tournament field consists of 77 boys and girls ages 12-18 from 18 states and Canada. The Boys Division is playing the par-71 course at 6,813 yards while the Girls Division is playing at 6,045 yards.
After chipping in for birdie on No. 2, Barker sank a putt for birdie on No. 3 and eagled the par 5 sixth hole. Even though his short game was solid, Barker said the key to his round was placing himself in good positions during his approach shots.
“I putted pretty well and hit it pretty close today so I didn't really have to make anything over 20 feet,” Barker said.
Andrew Whalen of Ephrata, Wash., finished second, a stroke behind the leader at 3-under-par 68. Behind Whalen is a four-way tie for third place consisting of Ian Vandersee of West Des Moines, Iowa, Lorens Chan of Honolulu, Hawaii, Steven Ihm of Dubuque, Iowa, and Quinlan Quinn Prchal of Glenview, Ill.
In the Girls Division, Lee's round of 1-under-par 70 is the lowest she has posted at an AJGA competition. The 2011 graduate stayed consistent in Tuesday's round, finishing with three birdies, two bogeys and 13 pars. After the round, Lee said she was very happy with the course condition and looks forward to playing two more rounds at Quarry Oaks.
“I think I will play well, I like this course,” Lee said. “I think it's a good course for me and hopefully I can play better tomorrow and the next day.”
Christina Cantu of Houston will enter Wednesday's round in second place, at even-par 71 while Talia Campbell of Dallas will look to make a move from third place at 2-over-par 73.
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.
The second round tee times will run from 7 — 8:48 a.m. off Nos. 1 and 10 tees at Quarry Oaks. For more information about the AJGA Nebraska Junior at Quarry Oaks contact Tournament Headquarters at (770) 601-8922.
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