Dengler Jumps Ahead of Boys Division at Deutsche Bank Partners for Charity Junior Shoot Out

Marks leads Girls Division after first round at Plymouth Country Club

PLYMOUTH, Mass. — Jimmy Dengler of Rumson, N.J., carded a 3-under-par 66 to take the lead of the Boys Division. Samantha Marks of Maitland, Fla., leads the Girls Division with a first-round score of 3-over-par 72.

The Deutsche Bank Partners for Charity Junior Shoot Out is a 54-hole stroke play event conducted by the American Junior Golf Association at Plymouth Country Club in Plymouth, Mass. The tournament field consists of 96 players from 18 states, including Ontario and Mexico. The Boys Division is playing the par-69 course at 6,604 yards and the Girls Division is playing at 5,859 yards.

Dengler leads the Boys Division in his first AJGA open tournament after carding four birdies and 13 pars for the round.

“I made a lot of putts that were within a couple feet of the hole,” Dengler said. “I made a 25 foot putt on No. 2 for birdie that got my confidence going for the day.”

Dengler is depending on his putting game to get him through the rest of the tournament.

“I just have to keep putting the way I did today,” Dengler said. “If you putt well, you score well.”

Ben Balter of Wayland, Mass., Samuel Kim of Irvine, Calif., Peter Kim of Metuchen, N.J., and Jeff Tremblay of Granby, Mass., all tied with a first-round score of 1-under-par 68.

Marks played a consistent first round carding 11 pars and 2 birdies, but felt that it could have been better.

“I feel like I left a lot out there today,” Marks said. “I could have played better. But I'm content with the round overall.”

One thing that is important to Marks and helps improve her game is her attitude.

“I always have a plus sign written on my hand,” Marks said. “Whenever I hit a bad shot or feel down on myself, I look at my hand and it reminds me to always stay positive.”

Marks' enlightened state of mind remains her number one strategy this week at the Deutsche Bank Partners for Charity Junior Shoot Out.

“I just need to hit fairways and greens,” Marks said. “I birdied the last hole which gives me confidence for tomorrow.”

Kelly Whaley of Farmington, Conn., finished in second place with a 4-over-par 73 for the day. Rounding out the top three in the Girls Division was Kimberly Santiago of Lynnwood, Wash., and Alexandra Hershberger of Basking Ridge, N.J., who both scored a 6-over-par 75.

Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association's success since 1989. Rolex, 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 500 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Stewart Cink, Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Inbee Park and Morgan Pressel.

The second round of the Deutsche Bank Partners for Charity Junior Shoot Out will start at 7:00 A.M. off the No. 1 tee for the Boys and Girls Divisions. For more information about the Deutsche Bank Partners for Charity Junior Shoot Out, please contact Tournament Director Kelli Holloway at (678) 315-3446.