Zaback Looks for First AJGA Win at Lessing's AJGA Classic
Ha continues lead going into final round at SkyView Golf Club
SPARTA, N.J. — Zach Zaback of Farmington, Conn., leads the Boys Division going into the final round of the Lessing's AJGA Classic. Zaback carded a second-round score of even-par 70, tournament total of 1-under-par 139. Cindy Ha of Demarest, N.J., continues to lead the Girls Division after round two with a score of 2-over-par 72, tournament total 2-over-par 142.
The Lessing's AJGA Classic is a 54-hole stroke play event conducted by the American Junior Golf Association at SkyView Golf Club in Sparta, N.J. The tournament field consists of one hundred players from 14 states, including Mexico and Canada. The Boys Division is playing the par-70 course at 5,954 yards and the Girls Division is playing at 5,404 yards.
Zaback started the day with three pars, and began to hit the ball better toward the end of the round with seven pars and two birdies on the last nine holes.
“I had to swing the club smooth because the course is not very long,” Zaback said. “I was driving the ball pretty straight, and you have to do that on this course.”
During the final round, Zaback plans to keep his ball in play on the course.
“I probably won't need a low score to win,” Zaback said. “I just need to get pars and grind it out tomorrow.”
Christopher Hickman of Centreville Md., trails one stroke behind Zaback with a tournament total of even-par 140. Scott Jaster of Bryn Mawr, Pa., Alexander Hicks of Cape May Court House, N.J., and Henry Davis of Queretaro, Mexico tied for third carding a second-round score of 1-over-par 141.
Ha had 13 pars, eight coming off the first nine holes. She played well until the turn, where she missed a number of birdie putts and had to scramble to get the up and down.
“I'm happy that I shot as well as I did today,” Ha said. “I am disappointed on my first nine holes, but tomorrow I plan to focus on my round, play better and get the lowest score.
Annie Park of Levittown, N.Y., sits in second in the Girls Division with a tournament total of 4-over-par 144. Three strokes behind Park, Hana Ku of Basking Ridge, N.J., carded a score of 7-over-par 147.
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 final round of the Lessing's AJGA Classic will start at 7 a.m. off the No. 10 tee for the Boys and Girls Divisions. For more information about the Lessing's AJGA Classic, please contact Tournament Director Greg Sanfilippo at (678) 936-0163.
