Ricard sets scoring record, goes wire-to-wire at Elbit Systems of America Junior Championship
Rossi wins her first AJGA event at Hidden Creek Golf Course

FORT WORTH, Texas — Eric Ricard of Shreveport, La., set the 54-hole scoring record for the Elbit Systems of America Junior Championship on Thursday, beating the previous mark by seven strokes. Ricard, who fired a final round score of 6-under-par 65 to finish at 11-under-par 202, went wire-to-wire in the Boys Division. Alexandra Rossi of Austin, Texas, shot an even-par 71 to win by three strokes in the Girls Division at Hidden Creek Golf Course.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Elbit Systems of America Junior Championship was a 54-hole stroke play event at Hidden Creek Golf Course in Fort Worth, Texas. The tournament field consisted of 108 boys and 36 girls, ages 12-18 from 14 states, Mexico, Brazil and Germany. The Boys Division was played at the par-71 course at 6,641 yards and the Girls Division played at 6,003 yards.

Ricard's relaxed approach to his final round and overall carefree attitude helped push him toward success and his first AJGA win.

“I didn't really put much pressure on myself heading into the final round, I just tried to stay relaxed and have a good time,” Ricard said. “I've won smaller events in the past, but this one is completely different and means a lot more. I just came in and tried to enjoy myself and it worked.”

Luke Neeley of Mansfield, Texas, came in second after shooting a 2-under-par 69 with a tournament total of 3-under-par 210. In third, Carlos Pena of Mission, Texas, carded a 1-under-par 70 in the final round for a tournament total of 1-under-par 212. Vincent Martino of Houston, Vincent Whaley of McKinney, Texas, Frederick Wedel of The Woodlands, Texas, Dillon Vaughn of Cleburne, Texas, Alvaro Ortiz of Zapopan, Mexico, and Dylan McClure of Argyle, Texas, all tied for fourth at 1-over-par 214.

In the Girls Division, Rossi pulled ahead in the final round through her consistent and focused play. Rossi carded three birdies en route to an even-par 71 to finish at 7-over-par 220 for the tournament.

“It was a lot of pressure heading into the final round, but after the first hole all my nerves went away and I just played my game,” Rossi said. “It is really exciting to win my first AJGA event; it is a great accomplishment.”

Lindsey McCurdy of Kyle, Texas, took second with a 10-over-par 223. Third in the Girls Division was Brooke McDougald of The Woodlands, Texas, shooting a total of 11-over-par 224.

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 more than 40 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, 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.

For more information on the Elbit Systems of America Junior Championship, please contact AJGA National Headquarters at (770) 868-4200 or visit the AJGA website at ajga.org.