Hickman Leads in First AJGA Event of the Year at Lessing's AJGA Classic
Ha leads the Girls Division at SkyView Golf Club
SPARTA, N.J. — Christopher Hickman of Centreville, Md., leads in the Boys Division with a score of 3-under-par 67. In the Girls Division, Cindy Ha of Demarest, N.J., shot an even-par 70, for a one-stroke lead in the first round.
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 China. The Boys Division is playing the par-70 course at 5,954 yards and the Girls Division is playing at 5,404 yards.
Hickman did not miss many fairways today, making it easier for him to card 13 pars and three birdies. He credits his success during the first round to his positive thinking and accurate putting.
“I really had a lot of peace of mind today,” Hickman said. “Tomorrow I am going to try and do the same thing, think well, don't panic, and trust my swing.”
Hickman was not able to play in the practice round Monday due to a rain delay that closed down the course. After starting off of No. 10, he credits the poor scores on his first nine holes due to the lack of time spent on the course.
“I was able to navigate the course later, and bounced back with an eagle on No. 18, which gave me momentum for the rest of the round.”
Peter Kim of Metuchen, N.J., Zach Zaback of Farmington, Conn., and Henry Davis of Queretaro, Mexico, tied for second, carding first round totals of 1-under-par 69. Alexander Hicks of Cape May Court House, N.J., scored an even-par 70, to round out the Boys Division top five.
Ha carded 12 pars and three birdies during the first round of the Lessing's AJGA Classic. She parred No.4, a difficult par 5 with blind tee and approach shots to the green.
“No. 4 is the hardest hole on the course, and I wanted to play it conservative,” Ha said. “I had a good chance for birdie, but I two putt it for par.”
Heading into the second round, Ha plans on concentrating on her game and nothing else.
“I just need to focus on my game and no one else's,” Ha said. “I will work on fixing my mistakes from the first round and try to get a lower score.”
Tied for second are Caroline Araskog of North Palm Beach, Fla., and Annie Park of Levittown, N.Y. Both girls trail Ha by only one stroke, carding 1-over-par 71 at the end of the first round.
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 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.
