Griffin Heats Up at Elbit Systems of America Junior Championship
Ferguson completes a personal best round score to lead Girls Division

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Elbit Systems of America Junior Championship is a 54-hole stroke play event held at Southern Oaks Golf Club in Fort Worth, Texas. The 144-player field boasts junior golfers from 14 states, Canada, Mexico, and the Philippines. The Boys Division is playing the course at 7,124 yards while the Girls Division is playing at 6,017 yards.

As temperatures climbed upwards of 100 degrees, Griffin remained cool in the sweltering heat, notching five birdies. Griffin credited his success to his putting throughout the round.

“I putted really well today and hit the greens,” Griffin said. “I stayed out of trouble and stayed consistent through the round. It got pretty hot out there but it wasn't too bad. I'm from Texas so I am used to it. It definitely got hotter in the afternoon but I played through it.”

Brandon Ng of Toronto currently sits in second place at 3-under-par 68. One stroke behind Ng, tied for third place, are Adam Colwell from The Woodlands, Texas, and Matt Gilchrest from Southlake, Texas, with a 2-under-par 69. Rounding out the Boys Division leaders tied for fifth at 1-under-par 70 are Brandon Lau from Sugar Land, Texas, and Aaron George from Dahlonega, Ga.

Not only was Ferguson's performance the best amongst the entire tournament field, it was also a personal best, as she has never shot in the 60s before. Ferguson, who is playing in the Elbit Systems of America Junior Championship for the second consecutive year, stayed not only focused, but also hydrated throughout the round, allowing her to keep up her high level of play.

“I birdied Nos. 7, 8, and 9, whipped out a six-footer on No. 10, and eagled No. 11,” Ferguson said. “The only greens I missed were Nos. 16 and 18 so I was proud of that. Tomorrow I just need to make sure I don't get too overconfident or worry about other people. I just need to play my game.”

Rounding out the Girls Division tied for second place are Joyce Kim of Carlsbad, Calif., and Kaira Martin of Paradise Valley, Ariz., at 2-under-par 69.

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.

Play will resume tomorrow at 7 a.m. off the Nos. 1 and 10 tees at Southern Oaks Golf Club. For more information about the Elbit Systems of America Junior Championship please contact Tournament Director Annie Giangrosso at (678) 571-7994.