Alex Salmond's major announcement about £2million boost for Scottish amateur golf

First Minister Alex Salmond (centre) with a group including SLGA chairman Shona Malcolm, British Women's Open champion Catriona Matthew and Douglas Connon, chairman of the Scottish Golf Union Board, at North Berwick today when a major announcement about additional funding for Scottish amateur golf, particularly those who are turning professional., was made.

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Europe finalises Junior Ryder

Cup selection criteria

The selection criteria for the European team at the Junior Ryder Cup, the competition which helped launch the careers of Sergio Garcia, Rory McIlroy and Suzann Pettersen among others, have been finalised ahead of the contest at The Gleneagles Hotel on September 27-28 this year.
The Junior Ryder Cup originated from an exhibition match between teams of boys and girls from Europe and the United States in 1995 before it was formally introduced in 1997. The match traditionally takes place just before The Ryder Cup and comprises six girls and six boys on each team.
Spaniard Garcia played in the first match in 1995 before qualifying for the full team four years later, while Northern Ireland’s McIlroy was part of the 2004 team and Pettersen, Norway’s top women’s professional, played in 1997 and 1999 before being part of five Solheim Cups.
For 2010, Europe’s selection criteria dictate that the team will feature three boys and three girls who were under 16 years on January 1, 2010, and three boys and three girls under 18 years on the same day.
The six under-16 players will be selected via the 2010 European Young Masters at Royal Balaton Golf Club, Hungary, from July 22-24 with the champion and runner-up from both the boys’ and the girls’ competition qualifying for the team. Two more competitors in the European Young Masters field will be selected by the captain, Gary Stangl, in the under-16s category.
All six under-18 players will be picked by a selection committee who will take into account performances in the European girls’ and boys’ team championships, national level junior championships and players’ standings in the European Amateur Golf Rankings (EAGR) and Ladies European Amateur Rankings (LEAR).
The complete European team will be announced following the European Young Masters on July 24.

Elie boys and girls open tournament entry forms

Entry forms for the 58th Elie Sports Club open amateur tournament for boys and girls from Tuesday to Thursday, April 13 to 15, can be downloaded at http://www.golfhouseclub.co.uk/uploads/entry-form-2,3,-2010.doc
The tournament, played under a match-play format, is open to boys and girls in four age-group categories: Under-12s, Under-14s, Under-16s and Under-18s.

The 16th hole at Lough Erne Golf Resort in Northern Ireland.

Faldo Series Signs Major Partnership three-year

deal with Northern Ireland's Lough Erne Resort

NEWS RELEASE
Sir Nick Faldo has announced that the Faldo Series has signed a three-year Major Partnership deal with the acclaimed new Lough Erne Resort in Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.
The deal means the Lough Erne Resort will be designated as the Home of the Faldo Series and the Resort’s award-winning 7,167-yard Faldo Course will host the Faldo Series Grand Final in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and the Faldo Series Ireland Championship during the same years.
It will also extend a proud association with World No 7, Rory McIlroy, who is the Touring Professional at Lough Erne Resort and who is a former member of Team Faldo and won both the Under-15 and Under-17 Faldo Series titles in 2004 and 2006 respectively.
Other major figures who have participated in the Faldo Series since its launch in 1996 include Nick Dougherty, Marc Warren, Oliver Fisher, Tseng Ya-ni, Melissa Reid and Kiran Matharu.
Six-time Major winner, Faldo, announced this year’s Faldo Series Ireland Championship will be held at the Lough Erne Resort on May 24 - 25, with the 2010 Faldo Series Grand Final taking place four months later on September 21 - 23.
He added: “I am delighted with the support that Lough Erne will be offering the Faldo Series over the next few years and am very much looking forward to extending my links with what is a very special Resort.
“As a Major Partner of the Faldo Series, The Resort will be helping us to create opportunities through golf for some of the best young golfing talent from across the globe and it is very satisfying to know that they share our vision to nurture and develop these players.
“The facilities at Lough Erne are second-to-none and I know the golf course we have created there will offer a real challenge to our competitors in what are genuinely inspirational surroundings.
Jim Treacy, Owner of Lough Erne, confirmed The Resort was proud to become Home to such a prestigious event. He said: “I am thrilled to sign this Partnership with the Faldo Series and to extend our relationship with Sir Nick which started back in 2003 when we asked him to design our course here at Lough Erne.
“We look forward to staging both the Faldo Series Grand Final and the Faldo Series Ireland Championship and to welcoming all the competitors to our Resort.
“Who knows, we may even help to unearth a new Nick Faldo or Rory McIlroy.”
McIlroy turned pro back in 2007 after representing GB & I in that year’s Walker Cup at Royal Co. Down but he has not forgotten all the support he received during his formative years as an amateur.
“I was delighted to learn that Lough Erne has signed a Major Partnership Deal with the Faldo Series and believe all the competitors will thoroughly enjoy their visits to a wonderful Resort I am proud to represent.
“I have great memories of winning the Faldo Series back in 2004 and 2006 and see it as an integral part of my development as a golfer. I also appreciate all the help I got from Nick himself and know how much effort he puts in to make the Series work.”
Nick Faldo created the Faldo Series (charity no. 11027719) back in 1996 in an effort to help and nurture future generations of young champions.
This year’s Series, which will attract in excess of 5,000 boys and girls aged between 12 and 21, comprises around 30 events in over 25 countries throughout the UK, Europe, South America and Asia with the winners from all the qualifying events being invited to compete in either the Faldo Series Grand Final in Europe or the Faldo Series Grand Final in China both of which are hosted by the six-time Major champion himself.

This year’s Faldo Series Asia Grand Final is to be played at Mission Hills Golf Club in China on March 10 -12. Last year’s European Grand Final was staged in the Olympic city of Rio de Janeiro and was won by England’s Jonathan Bell, who posted rounds of 70, 69 and 73 for a 4-under par aggregate of 212 and a one stroke victory over 2009 British Boys’ champion, Tom Lewis. England’s Holly Clyburn was crowned 2009 Faldo Series Girls’ champion, ahead of Scotland’s Carly Booth.
The Faldo Series is underwritten by its founder and receives support from a range of Partners including Lough Erne, The R&A and the European Tour. The PGA also supports the Faldo Series within the UK.

Kenilworth Golf Club's par-13 10th hole in Warwickshire.

Kenilworth Junior Masters for Under-14 boys and girls on April 7

NEWS RELEASE
On April 7, 2010, Kenilworth Golf Club in Warwickshire will host the second Kenilworth Junior Masters. This event, sponsored by the Golf Society of Great Britain, is one of a series of six competitions held annually at leading venues across the country, which are designed to give young golfers the chance to enjoy competitive golf.
The list of former winners of events in this series features some familiar names including Oliver Fisher who went on to become the youngest ever Walker Cup player and is now establishing himself as member of the European Tour. Other notable participants include Tommy Fleetwood, a member of the EGU’s England Squad, and Jonathan Bell, currently a member of the EGU’s ‘A’ Squad.
This competition is open to boys and girls of all abilities, aged under 14 on the day of the competition. Last year, the Kenilworth Junior Masters attracted talented young golfers from all across the United Kingdom and with the number of entrants limited to just 72, those wishing to take part should submit their entry as soon as possible.
Entry forms can be downloaded from the club’s website or they are available from the club secretary on 01926 858517.

Laetitia Beck, the Florida-based Israeli girl who won the Verizon Junior Heritage girls' championship today on Hilton Head Island (image by Cal Carson Golf Agency; click on it to enlarge).

Stephanie Meadow finishes joint seventh behind

Laetitia Beck, winner of girls' Verizon Junior title

Curtis Cup team place contender Stephanie Meadow from Northern Ireland faded from contention over the second round of the Verizon Junior Heritage - one of the United States' top Under-19 years tournaments - at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina today.

Stephanie, a student at the Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy on the island, was in the picture with a Saturday round of 74 but she required 80 shots for her next round over the Harbour Links.

Her total of 154 saw Stephanie finish joint seventh, seven shots behind the winner of the 36-hole event, Laetitia Beck from Israel, a student at a golf academy in Florida. Laetitia, who is a member of Caesarea Golf Club in Israel, had rounds of 73 and 74 for 147.

She won by two shots from the favourite, 14-year-old Alexis Thompson from Coral Springs, Florida. Alexis had rounds of 73 and 76 for 149.

Last year Alexis beat Laetitia in a play-off for the title.

Miss Beck has committed herself to enrol at Duke University, Durham in North Carolina in the autumn. Duke has been the strongest team on the US women's college circuit in recent years.

FINAL TOTALS

Par 143 (72 + 71)
147 Laetitia Beck (Israel) 73 74.

149 Alexis Thompson 73 76.
150 Sierra Sims 74 76.

153 Portland Rosen 77 76, McKenzie Talbert 75 78, Juliet Vongphoumy 75 78.

154 Collins Bradshaw 76 78, Katherine Perry 75 79, Irene Jung 75 79, Brittany Mai 77 77, Stephanie Meadow 74 80, Monifa Sealy 76 78.

155 Simin Feng 77 78.

156 Jessica Korda 82 74, Alison Emrey 82 74.

158 Ri Hyang Park 75 83, Tanaporn Kongkiatkrai 78 80.

159 Daniela Lendl 80 79, Jackie Chang 80 79.

161 Suzie Lee 76 85, Minami Levonwich 78 83, Anne Marie Covar 79 82.

162 Janie Jackson 77 85.

162 Lauren Salazar 81 82.

164 Jaye Marie Green 82 82, Hally Leadbetter 79 85, Linda Luo 76 88, Joyce Kim 79 85.

168 Noriko Inoue 86 82, Harin Lee 84 84.

169 Katie Rose Higgins 78 91.

170 Yuri Otsuka 87 83.

171 Elizabeth Thompson 80 91.

LEADING BOYS' TOTALS TO COME

EGU continue support of Lee Westwood Academies

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH GOLF UNION
Following the success of the inaugural Lee Westwood Golf Academies in 2009 the English Golf Union (EGU) is pleased to announce their continued support to the initiative from one of the EGU’s most successful former players.
Lee Westwood was a member of the EGU’s Coaching Squad and represented England in the Home Internationals in 1993 before turning pro. Since then, Lee has had a victorious career, with 18 European Tour titles to his name, recently winning the Dubai World Championship and ending his season last year as Europe’s number one.
After a successful first year, the Westwood Academies are back with an exciting edition to the programme. There will be 17 three day academies and the chance to attend a five day residential academy which focuses closely on coaching and includes a visit from Lee Westwood.
As in 2009, the Westwood Academy coaching programme will cover every aspect of the game, incorporating ‘off-course’ sessions on etiquette, rules, marking your card, nutrition, fitness and psychology.
There is also a competitive part to the Academy where attendees will play in a series of competitions on and off the course. The overall winner from these competitions from each Academy will win a day’s golf with Lee Westwood at Lindrick Golf Club on August 30, 2010.
Discussing last year’s Academies, Lee Westwood commented, “I was delighted with how my Academies started in 2009 and I am excited about the prospect of expanding and making the experience even more worthwhile for the youngsters that attend. I am very passionate about my Academy and, with the support of the English Golf Union, I am certain they will grow from strength to strength.”
The Co-operative is also continuing their support as title sponsors for the Westwood Academies along with Ping, Titleist, Solar Sport and the British Junior Golf Tour.
Further information regarding the Lee Westwood Golf Academy visit the website www.leewestwoodgolfacademy.co.uk or alternatively contact Activate Sport on 0800 345 7480 or email info@activatesport.co.uk. .
The full list of academy venues are as follows:
JULY
26th-28th July: Rye Hill Golf Club, Banbury, Oxfordshire
26th-30th July: Residential Academy – Rye Hill Golf Club & Bloxham School, Oxfordshire
26th-28th July: The Warwickshire Golf & Country Club, Warwick, Warwickshire
26th-28th July: Bondhay Golf Club, Worksop, Nottinghamshire
26th-28th July: Morley Hayes Golf Club, Morley, Derbyshire
26th-28th July: High Legh Golf Club, High Legh, Cheshire
26th-28th July: Abbey Hill Golf Club, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
AUGUST
2nd-4th August: Brampton Heath Golf Club, Brampton, Northamptonshire
2nd-4th August: Tyneside Golf Club, Ryton, Tyne & Wear
2nd-4th August: Redbourn Golf Club, St Albans, Hertfordshire
2nd-4th August: Farrington Golf & Country Club, Bristol, Somerset
3rd-5th August: Portal Golf Club, Tarporley, Cheshire
4th-6th August: Rudding Park Golf Club, Harrogate, Yorkshire
4th-6th August: Gaudet Luce Golf Club, Droitwich, Worcestershire
9th 11th August: Hoebridge Golf Centre, Old Woking, Surrey
9th-11th August: The Shropshire Golf Centre, Telford, Shropshire
11th-13th August: Hilton Park Golf Club, Milngavie, Glasgow
11th-13th August: Perranporth Golf Club, Perranporth, Cornwall

For further information please contact: Lynne Fraser, EGU Marketing and PR Manager Email: lfraser@englishgolfunion.org

Scotland's Lesley Atkins finishes third in Spain

Leon Fricker, Bronte Law win Andalucian

Junior European Open titles


FROM TODAY'S "DAILY EXPRESS"
Bronte Law, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, retained her Andalucia Junior European Open girls' title by 10 shots on a warm but windy final day at Finca Cortesin.
And pre-tournament favourite Leon Fricker (Yelverton, Devon) won the boys' event by two shots from Yorkshire's Jonathan Fisher, whose brave bid was hit by a three-putt on the penultimate hole.
With Britain shivering under a new cold snap, the country's top juniors went into action at the event, held in association with the Daily Express, on the fifth and final day in Spain. But the winds were so strong that three and four putts were seen on some greens.
Law took a three-shot lead over Scotland's Lesley Atkins into the final round but saw that wiped out after just four holes after struggling on the greens.
A birdie on the long, par-5 eighth saw her regain the lead and Law never looked back as East Brighton's Tiffany Hewetson shot the best round of the day - 85 - to pip Atkins for second place.
Fricker, on five under par, led by four from Fisher and East Devon's David Black, who refused a practice round.
But Fisher had drawn level by the par-3 17th, where he had a putt for the outright lead only to end up with a bogey, and Fricker birdied the last to make sure.
FINAL PLACINGS
Played over Alcadaisa Links and Finca Cortesin
Boys
218 Leon Fricker.
220 Jonathan Fisher.
223 Craig Cameron.
225 David Blick.
228 Julian Taylor.
229 Joshua Johnson.
231 Paul Kinnear.
235 Adam Woodhead.
Girls
227 Bronte Law.
238 Tiffany Hewetson.
239 Lesley Atkins.
252 Alison Knowles.

Craigielaw's kids reign in Spain at last

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Craigielaw wiped out the bitter memories of a painful experience in the same event two years ago by winning the Junior Team Golf Home Nations Inter-Club Championship in Spain.
Despite losing their final match 3-2 o Welsh side Morriston, the East Lothian club were crowned champions at the Polaris La Torre Resort near Murcia by virtue of their better "goal difference."
Grant Forrest (pictured by Tom Ward Photography), Greg Smail, Euan Donaldson, Gabrielle MacDonald, Douglas Maxwell, Jack Dow and Euan Mackay did the business over the three days.
They set up their title triumph with wins over Maylands (England) and Rosslare (Ireland) earlier in the week.
Caigielaw earned their trip to Spain by winning the Scottish final at Westerwood in Cumbernauld last autumn and their victory in the grand final came at the third time of asking.
Two years ago, the East Lothian club agonisingly missed out after two of their players, Myles Cunningham and Scott Speakman, signed for wrong scores.
"This is fantastic for the club, especially given what happened two years ago," said Gordon Smith, the club's junior team manager who has been accompanying the players this week.
"It was thoroughly deserved and is another reward for the encouragement given to juniors at Craigielaw.
"With Maylands and Rosslare drawing their match, Craigielaw knew just one point would be enough to secure their success and that was delivered in the top game by Forrest, the current Scottish Under-16 champion.
Donaldson was Craigielaw's other winner on the final day, with Maxwell adding the half point.
Over the course of the three days, Craigielaw won 11 matches compared to Morriston's seven successes.

Alexis Thompson and Romain Wattel with their Junior Orange Bowl Championship trophies. Click to enlarge.

Ross Kellett's conqueror Wattel wins Junior Orange Bowl

boys' play-off, Alexis Thompson takes girls' title

British amateur champion Matteo Manassero, on the very day that he became the world's No 1 amateur in the R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings, lost the lead he had held over the first three rounds and finished a close-up third in the Junior Orange Bowl International Championships' boys' category.
Manassero, 16, from Rome had rounds of 65, 70, 68 and 71 for a six-under-par total of 274 over the par-70 Biltmore course at Coral Gables, Florida.
He finished one shot behind French men's amateur champion Romain Wattel - who recently beat Motherwell's Ross Kellett in the final of the Argentina men's amateur championship - and Argentina's Emiliano Grillo. They tied on 273 before Wattel won a sudden-death play-off at the third extra hole.
Grillo had rounds of 68, 72, 66 and 67. Wattel scored 67, 71, 68 and 67. Wattel birdied the short 14th, long 15th and 17th to come home in 32 at the last time of asking. Grillo bogeyed the 13th and 14th but birdied the 15th and 16th.
Manassero had a costly bogey at the 16th which prevented him from figuring in a three-way play-off for the prestigious title.
England's representative, Jonathan Bell from the Royal Blackheath club, had a nightmare last round of 10-over-par 80, with two double bogeys, eight bogeys and birdies at the first and eighth. His total of 294 gave him joint 30th place in the final standings.
Alexis Thompson, as expected, made up a two-shot overnight leeway to win the girls' title by two strokes with rounds of 71, 72, 66 and 71 for level par 280. Alexis, from Coral Springs, was playing in her home state of Florida.
Overnight leader Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand) fell away under pressure to sign off with a 76 for 283. She lost second place to Cindy Feng (US) who had rounds of 71, 72, 67 and 72 for 282.

LEADING BOYS' FINAL TOTALS
Par 280 (4x70) 6,699yd.
273 Romain Wattel (France) 67 71 68 67, Emiliano Grillo (Argentina) 68 72 66 67 (Wattel won play-off at third extra hole).
274 Matteo Manassero (Italy) 65 70 68 71.
282 Andrea Bolognesi (Italy) 67 71 70 74, Tom Lovelady (US) 69 67 71 75.
283 Justin Thomas (US) 69 71 69 74, Curtis Thyompson (US) 67 73 72 71.
284 Thomas Pieters (Belgium) 69 73 75 67, Patrick Rodgers (US) 70 74 72 68.
Selected score:
294 Jonathan Bell (England) 71 72 71 80 (jt 30th).
LEADING GIRLS' FINAL TOTALS
Par 280 (4x70). 6,061 yd.
280 Alexis Thompson (US) 71 72 66 71.
282 Cindy Feng (US) 71 72 67 72.
283 Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand) 71 659 657 76.
286 Victoria Tanco (Argentina) 73 75 70 68.
288 Daisy Nielsen (Denmark) 69 77 74 68.
290 Moriya Jutanugarn (Thailand) 69 74 73 74.
291 Jessica Korda (US) 75 72 76 68.
292 Laetitia Beck (Israel) 71 77 71 73.

To see all the scores, click on:
http://www.golfstatresults.com/public/leaderboards/player/static/player1885.html

REPORT FROM THE COURSE BY DAVID MACKINTOSH:

France's Romain Wattel and USA's Alexis Thompson are the new Junior Orange Bowl golf champions.
Wattel defeated Argentina's Emiliano Grillo in a three-hole playoff, after finishing tied after 72 holes on 7-under par 273. Both scored 67s in the final round.
Third-round leader, Italy's Matteo Manassero, the British Amateur Champion, finished one stroke behind on 274 after posting 71.
The girls' final round was a nail-biting affair. After eight holes favourite Thompson had made up the two-stroke overnight deficit but was stretched all the way on the back nine and admitted she was not sure that she could win until the last putt dropped.
“I caught up, then dropped back, played very solid golf on the back nine to get ahead, then Cindy birdied 15th and 17th, so the pendulum could have swung in any direction at the final hole, where I've had problems all week.”
Thompson, Feng and Jutanugarn all missed the green at the 18th but only Thompson saved par, walking off as much relieved as elated. “It is great to win this one, I've really wanted it for a number of years. When I can relax I'm sure I'm going to enjoy it.”
“Naturally it is a little disappointing,” Manassero said later, “and I did not play badly, but these guys played really great today, particularly on the back nine. I struggled a little with my game all week but full credit has to go to Emiliano and Romain.”
Wattel and Grillo both parred the 18th hole twice before the Frenchman clinched victory with a 16ft birdie putt although for most of the closing holes it seemed Manassero would triumph. After regaining the lead through 14 holes, the Italian's 100yd approach to the par-5 15th stopped inches from the hole: but both opponents also got up-and-down from around the green to match his birdie.
Manassero made just one mistake but it was enough. From the right hand rough his approach to the 16th flew long, the outcome a bogey while Grillo birdied, a two-shot swing. When Wattel birdied the 17th, suddenly the one-time leader was a stroke adrift.

MATTEO MANASSERO LEADS BY THREE IN CHASE FOR JUNIOR ORANGE BOWL TITLE British amateur champion Matteo Manassero is on course to become the first Italian winner of the boys' title in the prestigious Junior Orange Bowl international junior golf championship over the Biltmore course at Coral Gables, Florida. The 16-year-old from Rome shot a third-round, two-under-par 68 today for a 54-hole total of seven-under-par 203. If he did win he would be following in the footsteps of previous winners such as Mark Calcavecchia (1977), Tiger Woods (1991) and Ben Parker (2005). With one round to go, Manassero, No 2 in the R&A world amateur golf rankings, leads by three shots from Argentina's Emiliano Grillo, whose 66 was the best third-round score by a boy, and French men's amateur champion Romain Wattel. England's Jonathan Bell from the Royal Blackheath club, Kent, has played steadily for rounds of 71, 72 and 71 and a tally of four-over-par 214. He ran up a double bogey 5 at the short eighth in his third round and shots dropped more cancelled out his birdies at the 1st, fourt and 12th. Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn leads the girls' event after a three-under 67 for three-under 207. But second-placed title favourite Alexis Thompson from Florida will fancy her chance of making up the two-stroke leeway after a 66 for 209. LEADING SCORES (both par 70) BOYS Par 210 (3x70) 203 Matteo Manassero (Ita) 65 70 68. 206 Emiliano Grillo (Arg) 68 72 66, Romain Wattel (Fra) 67 71 68. 207 Tom Lovelady (US) 69 67 71. 208 Andrea Bolognesi (Ita) 67 71 70. 209 Justin Thomas (US) 69 71 69. Selected score: 214 Jonathan Bell (Eng) 71 72 71. GIRLS Par 210 (3x70) 207 Ariya Jutanugarn (Thai) 71 69 67. 209 Alexis Thompson (US) 71 72 66. 210 Cindy Feng (US) 71 72 67. 216 Moriya Jutanugarn (Thai) 69 74 73, Monifa Sealy (T&T) 73 72 71. 218 Victoria Tanco (Arg) 73 75 70. 219 Laetitia Beck (Isr) 71 77 71. 220 Emilie Alonso (Fra) 73 78 69, Daisy Nielsen (Den) 69 77 74, Kristine Odaiyar (US) 71 77 72. DAVID MACKINTOSH REPORTS FROM THE COURSE: Seeking wire-to-wire victory, Italy's Matteo Manassero extended his lead to three strokes with a two-under par 68 in the third round of the 46th Junior Orange Bowl International, a three-day total of seven-under par 203 over the par-70 Biltmore course at Coral Gables. The British amateur champion leads Argentina's Emilano Grillo, who joined France's Romain Wattel in second place with a sparkling 6-birdie 66. As gusting winds toughened up the tight test, only five boys carded below par and three are now top-four in the championship race In the girls' section overnight leader Ariya Jutanugarn held firm against a barrage of birdies by Alexis Thompson and goes into the final round with a two-stroke advantage after a three-under- par 67. Thompson's girls' best-of-the-day 66 gave her outright ownership of second place, a stroke ahead of Cindy Feng. Last year's winner Victoria Tanco from Argentina carded even-par 70 and is 11 shots off the pace. This battle of super-talented 14-olds produced high-quality golf by any measure. Jutanugarn stretched her lead to five strokes early but over the back-nine as the wind blew up, the tall and powerful Thompson turned the pressure on the diminutive Asian Pacific champion, garnering four birdies in a five-hole stretch. Manassaro, only 16, got off to a dynamic start, birdieing three of the four opening holes, and went without a blemish on his card until the 12th hole. “I really struck the ball well today, best striking of the week, but my putting was not as good as the first two days,” the world number-2 ranked amateur said later. “It was to be expected. I'd putted so well in the first rounds.” The long-hitting leader's first three-putt came after 51 holes, an ambitious long attempt for birdie that came unstuck, immediately rectified on the following hole with flag-sticking wedge. “Tomorrow I'll just try and stay calm,” he said. Argentina's Grillo carded five birdies before his first error, at the 13th . When he was unable to rescue par at the 17th from a greenside bunker, his chase to close in on Manassero was over for the day. USA's Tom Lovelady fought a balky putter for 71. For complete results please visit http://www.jrorangebowl.com/Events-index-id-11-g_id-11.html

Manassero still leads Junior Orange

Bowl despite short hole double bogey

British amateur champion Matteo Manassero from Rome had to settle for a one-shot halfway lead after running up a double-bogey 5 at the short 14th in the second round of the Junior Orange Bowl international championships' boys' section over the Biltmore course, Coral Gables in Florida today.
Manassero, pictured by courtesy of Tom Ward Photography, leader by two after an opening five-under-par 65, returned a level par 70 (33-37) for a 36-hole tally of five-under-par 135. His only other deviations from par were birdies at the short first and long eighth.
The Italian's closer challenger is Tom Lovelady from Birmingham, Alabama with rounds of 69 and 67 for 136. Lovelady had halves of 34 and 33 in his flawless second round in which he birdied the fifth, 10th and 16th.
Europe provides three of the leading four players with a second Italian, Andrea Bolognesi, and French men's champion Romain Wattel sharing third place on 138. Both youngsters have shot 67 and 71.
England's Jonathan Bell is lying in joint 14th position in a field of 58 after rounds of 71 and 72 for 143.
There is a new leader in the girls' championship with Ariya Jutanugarn from Thailand surging three shots clear on level par 140 after rounds of 71 and 69. She had five birdies in her second round, including the 16th and 18th in halves of 35 and 34.
Denmark's Daisy Nielsen who had shared the first-round lead on 69 with Ariya's sister, Moriya Jutanugarn (Thailand), had a nightmare 77, including two double bogey 6s in an outward half of 40. She has slumped to sixth place on 146.

Leading second-round scores
BOYS
Par 140 (2x70)
135 Matteo Manassero (Ita) 65 70.
136 Tom Lovelady (US) 69 67.
138 Andrea Bolognesi (Ita) 67 71, Romain Wattel (Fra) 67 71.
140 Oskar Arvidsson (Swe) 70 70, Emiliano Grillo (Arg) 68 72, Jim Liu (US) 72 68, Brandon Ng (Can) 70 70, Justin Thomas (US) 69 71, Curtis Thompson (US) 67 73.
Selected score:
143 Jonathan Bell (Eng) 71 72 (jt 14th).

LEADING GIRLS
Par 140 (2x70)
140 Ariya Jutanugarn (Thai) 71 69.
143 Cindy Feng (US) 71 72, Moriya Jutanugarn (Thai) 69 74, Alexis Thompson (US) 71 72.
145 Monifa Sealy (T&T) 73 72.
146 Daisy Nielsen (Den) 69 77.
147 Jessica Korda (US) 75 72, Kyle Roig (Puerto Rico) 72 75.
148 Ana Arrese (Spain) 71 77, Laetitia Beck (Israel) 71 77, Kristina Odalyar (US) 71 77, Victoria Tanco (Argentina) 73 75.
149 Min-Young Lee (South Korea) 77 72.

DAVID MACKINTOSH'S REPORT FROM THE COURSE
Italy's Matteo Manassero, the British amateur champion and overnight leader, posted an even-par 70 second round for a single stroke lead at the halfway stage of the 46th edition of the Junior Orange Bowl International.
The 16-year old stand-out from Rome leads Alabama's Tom Lovelady, who carded a best-of-the-day 67, a round equalled only by Peru's Joaquin Lolas. In blustery conditions French Junior Champion Romain Wattel and Italy's Andrea Bolognesi remained tied in third place after posting 71s. Six are tied on even-par 140.
Manassero admitted he was probably fortunate to have held onto the top spot. “I played rather poorly but I saved my score by very good chipping and putting,” he said. “I'd like to hope I can play better than that in the coming rounds.”
His sharp short game was highlighted by a holing a bunker shot for a birdie 2 at the 223yd par-3 eighth hole.
On the other hand, Lovelady, who missed last year's championship due to injury, and currently plays with a +4.6 USGA handicap, made his move into contention with precision golf, a bogey-free 67 where his three birdies all came at par-4s.
“I drove well and set up a lot of straightforward wedge approach shots on good angles,” the 16-year old from Birmingham, Alabama explained. “My putter was working well so in all it was a round without too much stress.”
In the girls' section favourites Alexis Thompson and defending champion Victoria Tanco had unexpected setbacks, permitting 14-year old Ariya Jutanugarn to vault into the lead at ever par 140 (71-69), three shots ahead of USA's Cindy Fong, Ariya's older sister Moriya and Thompson, all now tied for second place at 143.
Three-under par for 17 holes, Thompson held the on-course lead with just the long uphill closing par-4 to complete. She reached the green in four after visiting two bunkers and then, perhaps failing to realize the severity of the green, took FIVE putts, finishing with a 9 for 72.
Last year's girls' champion Tanco also failed to gain traction, sliding to eight shots off the pace with second-round 75.
Played over 72 holes stroke-play on the famed Donald Ross course at Biltmore Golf Club, the Junior Orange Bowl International Golf Championship is for boys and girls age 18 and under and features top young amateur golfers from around the world.
For complete results please visit
http://www.jrorangebowl.com

Denmark's Daisy Nielsen shares girls' lead in Florida

Manassero's putting 'great' - he leads Junior

Orange Bowl boys with a five-under-par 65

FROM DAVID MACKINTOSH, Coral Gables, Florida
British Amateur champion, 16-year old Matteo Manassero from Rome, took charge of the boys' opening round of the Junior Orange Bowl international junior championships with a blistering six-birdie, five-under-par 65 for a two-stroke lead.
"I can't say I that played perfectly," he said. "I missed several shots, but fortunately the misses were on the good side, which meant I was able to get chips close to save pars. What was great was my putting, and that is really why I was able to score low today."
Three were tied on 67: Manassero's compatriot Andrea Bolognesi, French men's champion Romain Wattel and United States' Curtis Thompson, who between them carded 16 birdies. In benign conditions under sunny skies and temperatures in the high 70s, 16 boys finished on level par or better.
Played over 72 holes stroke-play on the famed Donald Ross-designed Biltmore course, the Junior Orange Bowl International championships are for boys and girls age 18 and under and features top young amateur golfers from around the world.
Thailand's Moriya Jutanugarn and Denmark's Daisy Nielson, pictured above by Cal Carson Golf Agency, set the first round pace in the girls' division, tied on one-under par 69, two strokes ahead of a group of six players carding 71 that includes favourite Alexis Thompson.
Bangkok's Jutanugarn, 15, the Asia Pacific junior champion, produced three back-nine birdies to tie Nielson, 15, the Danish ladies match-play champion, who recovered strongly after a double-bogey at her third hole.
Florida's Thompson, is just 14 but already a major force in women's golf in America. This year she reached the final round of the US Women's Open. Last year she lost the JOB girls' championship to Argentina's Victoria Tanco in an enthralling six-hole play-off.
Thompson's one-over par round was marred by a double-bogey at the par-3 eighth while defending champion Tanco, after a delayed flight from South America, reached the Biltmore course with barely time to step into her golf shoes, yet produced a meritorious 73 after opening her day with a 7.
For complete results please visit
http://www.jrorangebowl.com/Events-index-id-11-g_id-11.html

Manassero matches Florida heat with a

five-under-par 65 in Junior Orange Bowl

British amateur champion Matteo Manassero set a blistering pace of five-under-par 65 in the first round of the Junior Orange Bowl international boys' championship in temperatures in the high 70s at the Biltmore course, Coral Gables, Florida today.
Teenager Manassero, No 2 in the R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings, birdied the last two holes - he had six birdies on the day - to finish the first round two shots clear of Italian compatriot Andrea Bolognesi (31-36), Curtis Thompson (Coral Springs, Florida) (32-35) and French amateur champion Romain Wattel (33-34) who recently beat Ross Kellett (Colville Park) in the final of the Argentina men's amateur international championship.
Manassero had halves of 33-32 against the par of 35-35 for the 6,699yd boys' course.
England's Jonathan Bell finished the first day in joint 18th place on one-over-par 71 with halves of 34-37.
In the girls' championship over a 6,061yd course, also par 70 (35-35), Denmark's Daisy Nielsen shared the first-round lead with Thailand's Moriya Jutanugarn. Both players had halves of 36-33 to finish the day two shots clear of a group of players, including one of the favourites, Alexis Thompson.
Defending champion Victoria Tanco (Argentina) is joint 11th on the 73 mark.
BOYS' LEADERS
Par 70 (35-35). 6,699yd.
65 Matteo Manassero (Italy) 33-32.
67 Andrea Bolognesi (Italy) 31-36, Curtis Thompson (Florida) 32-35, Romain Wattel (France) 33-34.
68 Emiliano Grillo (Argentina), Daniel Zuluaga (Colombia).
69 Tom Lovelady (Alabama), Thomas Pieters (Belgium), Justin Thomas (Kent).
70 Victor Alarcon (Venezuela), Oskar Arvidsson (Sweden), Assaf Cohen (Israel), Martin Keskari (Germany), Brandon Ng (Canada, Patrick Rodgers (Indiana), Jose Pablo Rolz (Guatemala).
Selected score:
71 Jonathan Bell (England) 34-37.
GIRLS' LEADERS
Par 70 (35-35). 6,061yd.
69 Moriya Jutanugarn (Thailand) 36-33, Daisy Nielsen (Denmark) 36-33.
71 Anna Arese (Spain), Alexis Thompson (Florida), Laetitia Beck (Israel), Cindy Feng (Florida), Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand), Kristine Odalyar (Florida), Alexis Thompson (Florida).
72 Kyle Roig (Puerto Rico).
73 Emilie Alonso (France), Laura Blanco (Colombia), Diana Fernandez (Paraguay) Monifa Sealy (Trinidad & Tobago), Victoria Tanco (Argentina).

Matteo Manassero hot in Junior Orange Bowl first round

Florida is the place to be over the Festive period. It's 78 degrees there, reports Scot David Mackintosh from the Biltmore course, Coral Gables where the Junior Orange Bowl international championships (boys and girls) teed off today.
David will be letting us have a summary of the first day's play a little later this evening (UK time) but he says you can tune in to the live scoring service on www.golfstat.com
We can tell you that British amateur champion Matteo Manassero from Italy is the leader of the boys' section out on the course at four under par at the time of writing.

Holly Clyburn in action for England in the Women's Home Internationals at Irvine Golf Club in September. Image by Cal Carson Golf Agency. Click on it to enlarge.

Holly Clyburn in Florida for Dixie Amateur

Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa), the much-travelled English girls' champion, is the only British or Irish entry for the Dixie Amateur women's championship at Heron Bay Golf Club, Coral Springs in Florida.

The tournament starts on December 31 and ends on January 3.

Before that the Junior Orange Bowl International Championship will be played over the Biltmore course at Coral Gables, Florida.

It starts on December 27 and finishes on the 30th.

The English Golf Union has sent Jonathan Bell to represent it but there are no young men (or young women, for that matter, from Scotland, Ireland or Wales in the international field which includes such high-power young amateurs as British Amateur champion Matteo Manassero (Italy), ranked No 2 in the world, and French amateur champion Romain Wattel who beat Ross Kellett (Colville Park) in the recent final of the Argentina men's open amateur championship at Buenos Aires.

+We'll be publishing results and reports from both the Dixie Women's Amateur Championship and the Junior Orange Bowl International boys' and girls' championships on this website.

Wee Wonders Championships loses sponsor HSBC

Here's a note from Gullane professional Alasdair Good who started the whole idea:

Dear Wee Wonders,
I know many of you will be keen to make plans for next year’s event and I just wish to keep you posted on plans for 2010.
Having enjoyed seven fantastic years of HSBC support for the Wee Wonders Championships, I'm now looking for a new sponsor. Together with Octagon Marketing, we are working very hard and will explore all avenues open to us to ensure the continued future of the event.
When I started the Championships in 1995, there was very little in the way of opportunities for youngsters to meet and play together. In the seven years HSBC have been involved approx 25,000 boys and girls have enjoyed and no doubt learnt greatly from their experiences.
They extended an invitation for Wee Wonders to meet and play alongside the world's best golfers at their World Matchplay event. Tiger did a putting clinic for us, Monty has done several fun clinics and in 2009 Nick Dougherty became our ambassador Tour Pro. All this was made possible with the vision and expertise of HSBC.
The legacy of their sponsorship is that we now see graduates of the HSBC Wee Wonders dominating the highest levels or junior golf throughout Great Britain & Ireland. There are young ladies proving to the golfing world that even in their early teens, they are a competitive force to be reckoned with at any level.
We were also represented in the last Walker Cup and many others have gone all the way and turned professional.
As well as many measurable successes at the top level, I've had the pleasure of observing hundreds of new friendships being forged and old rivalries enjoyed. Through seeing the high standard of play and behaviour our juniors are capable of, many Golf Club's are now embracing the thousands of keen young players and the families this brings to golf.
As sponsors they will be sadly missed but I'm forever grateful for the immense contribution they have made to the Wee Wonders Championships and to the future of golf.
The hard work will continue over the coming weeks and months to secure funding for 2010 and when I've confirmed plans, I shall email you again to let you know.
Shortly there will be changes to the current website, so for any Wee Wonders related questions or enquiries please contact me at weewondersltd@aol.com or at Gullane GC at proshop@gullanegolfclub.com.
The Wee Wonders hotline number that is currently on the website will also soon be decommissioned so if you wish to speak to me directly, please call 07810632766.
I look forward to seeing you next year and wish you all a very Happy Christmas.
Yours sincerely,
Alasdair Good
PGA
Founder, Wee Wonders
Wee Wonders Ltd
Professional's Shop
Gullane Golf Club
West Links Road
Gullane
East Lothian EH31 2BB
weewondersltd@aol.com
Tel: 01620 843111
Fax: 01620 843090
http://www.wee-wonders.co.uk/

Dates and venues for 2010 Faldo Series' UK Championships

NEWS RELEASE
The Faldo Series organisers have announced the schedule of UK Championships for the forthcoming season with nine tournaments being played on some of the most famous courses across England, Scotland and Wales.
The Faldo Series will visit several world-renowned venues in 2010, including US Open qualifying venue Walton Heath in Surrey, former Ryder Cup venue Moortown in Yorkshire and European Challenge Tour hosts The Vale of Glamorgan in south Wales.
Open Championship qualifying venues also feature on the schedule of Faldo Series UK Championships, including Royal Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, Nottinghamshire’s Hollinwell, Trentham in Staffordshire and West Lancashire.
Frilford Heath in Oxfordshire and The Roxburghe in Kelso, two of the most picturesque and highly-rated courses in England and Scotland respectively, complete the stellar line-up of Faldo Series hosts in 2010.
Competitors in the UK will only be one win away from a place in the Faldo Series Grand Final, an R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking event hosted by six-time Major winner Nick Faldo and recently won by England’s Jonathan Bell in Brazil.
There will be five qualifiers for the UK Grand Final in the autumn (dates and venue still to be released) from each of the following 36-hole events:

Frilford Heath: March 31-April 1.
Moortown: April 7-8.
West Lancs: April 22-23.
Walton Heath: May 5-6.
Royal Ashdown: May 18-19.
Hollinwell: June 9-10.
The Roxburghe, Kelso: June 23-24.
Vale of Glamorgan: August 17-18.
Trentham: August 25-26.

Possible R&A Junior Open title contender at Lundin Links in July

Remember the name: Masamichi Ito .... Japan's

rising star, only 14, winner of Faldo Series

Japan’s rising star, 14-year-old Masamichi Ito shot two rounds of 69 to win the Faldo Series Japan Championship at Shishido Hills Country Club and book his trip to China for the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final in March.
Earlier this season, Ito became the youngest ever player to make a cut on the Japan Golf Tour and also finished second in the Japan Amateur Championship. He showed the same impressive form to finish on six-under-par after 36 holes in the Faldo Series Asia event and claim the second Japan Championship by three shots.
Ito’s nearest challenger was Ryunosuke Matsushita who carded a brilliant final-round 65 on the West Course at Shishido Hills, recently voted Japan’s best golf course in the Asian Golf Monthly Awards. The 15-year-old finished on 141 to take the silver medal behind Ito in the boys’ under-16 category.
Kanagawa-born Ito can now look forward to spending time with six-time Major winner Nick Faldo during the Grand Final at Shenzhen’s Mission Hills on March 10-12, 2010. He will be joined by Japan’s four other age-group gold medallists: Naoto Nakanishi (boys’ under-21), Ryo Sukegawa (boys’ under-18), Yoko Ogawa (girls’ under-21) and Namika Kougo (girls’ under-16).
Supported by UBS, Mission Hills and The R&A, over 120 of Japan’s leading young golfers, boys and girls aged 12 to 21, were tested under strict tournament conditions at Shishido Hills, venue for the UBS Japan Golf Tour Championship.
Organised by Mori Building and Golf Digest Japan, and with local support from Shishido Kokusai Golf Club, the players also received expert advice from golfing-legend Tommy Nakajima, a winner of 48 events on the Japan Golf Tour and a former world number five.
Endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, younger children from the local community in Kasama attended the tournament to receive free coaching and watch the competitors in action, part of Faldo’s drive to simultaneously create access to the sport at a grass-roots level.
The Japan Championship was the 12th of 15 Faldo Series Asia tournaments in 12 different countries during 2009/2010, including four in mainland China plus one in each of Bahrain, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, The Philippines and Vietnam.
With over 1,000 competitors taking part in the Faldo Series Asia this year, and many more being introduced to the game, the climax of the season will be the fourth Grand Final in March. Over 60 Asian finalists from across the region will compete for five invites to the European Faldo Series Grand Final plus the opportunity to play in a flagship Asian Tour or Ladies European Tour event for the overall boy and girl champion.
Leading final scores:
Boys’ under-21:
145 Naoto Nakanishi (75, 70).
147 Masashi Shirouzu (74, 73).
148 Shigeta Hattori (78, 70).
Boys’ under-18:
146 Ryo Sukegawa (76, 70).
151 Konosuke Nakazato (79, 72).
154 Yuta Watanabe (75, 79).
Boys’ under-16:
138 Masamichi Ito (69, 69).
141 Ryunosuke Matsushita (76, 65).
143 Yuto Soeda (73, 70).
Girls’ under-21:
147 Yoko Ogawa (72, 75).
158 Airi Kameda (87, 71).
159 Sarasa Sugiyama (83, 76).
Girls’ under-16:
147 Namika Kougo (73, 74).
152 Mayu Hosaka (75, 77).
154 Rika Inoue (81, 73).
For information on the Faldo Series Asia visit http://www.nickfaldo.com/

Editor's footnote: Masamichi Ito might well be playing competitively in Scotland this summer as Japan's representative in the R&A Junior Open which will be hosted by Lundin Golf Club, Fife during the week of the Open at St Andrews. The Lundin dates will be July 12-13-14. The R&A Junior Open is for under-16 year olds and countries are invited to nominate their champions.

Livingston's Deer Park halves junior membership fees

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
A Lothians golf club has halved its membership fee for young golfers and is hoping the decision will eventually lead to the creation of a new junior academy.
Bosses at Deer Park Golf & Country Club at Livingston launched the youth drive after discovering it didn't have the depth of juniors you'd expect from a club which prides itself on its family orientation. In addition to the membership fee for eight to 13-year-olds having been reduced to £89, the club has also started offering clubgolf coaching and is developing a short course for juniors.
"Kids have always been keen to play here but it was too expensive and we were becoming a feeder for other clubs," said head pro Sandy Strachan."That's fine for getting kids into golf but we weren't seeing the benefit. So reducing the membership has really given us the opportunity to get active and get kids in."
Strachan, who moved to Deer Park from nearby Bathgate two years ago, added: "My aim was to get the membership fee right then make a heavy push on the coaching and build a junior section."
As is the case all over Scotland, P5 pupils in West Lothian are being introduced to the game through the clubgolf initiative and Strachan is keen to offer a continuation of that programme. "We have been working with clubgolf and Active Schools to get the message out to local schools and the potential for children to come here for coaching is massive," he said.
"I'm doing the teaching because I feel that by catching children straight away I can nurture them from there and make sure they are going to be good junior members. I have got my Stage 3 (clubgolf] qualification, as has John Murray who joined us from Turnhouse, so we can take the children right through the levels to the advanced stages."We are obviously at the start but what we are working towards is to create a Deer Park Junior Academy where you we take in children from a very young age and coach them right through to Scottish level and hopefully even professional."

Scottish Junior Golf Tour integrates girls and

English boys at Fairmont St Andrews


By WALTER BURNS
The Scottish Junior Golf Tour held a level 4, two -day event over the Torrance course at the Fairmont St Andrews resort at the weekend.
We invited some English juniors for a bit of extra competition and, for the first time, we integrated some of the girls into the competition.
Saturday morning saw St Andrews’ first frost of the year, threatening cancellation, but the sun came up, thawing out the course, and play began after an hour’s delay in fine sunny weather. Jamie Savage (Cawder) led after the first day with a 72.
On Sunday, a gale was blowing in from the North Sea with frequent squalls making for atrocious conditions. To minimize the risk of hypothermia we decided to reduce the competition to nine holes.
Congratulations to all 35 juniors for completing the nine holes with encouragement from parents, friends and coaches.
Dannyal Spalding from England won the event with a gross 111 (73, 38).
Jamie Savage (Cawder), Euan Bowden (Tantallon) and Craig Howie (Peebles) shared second place on 114.
Chris Kendall from Cumbria won the net first prize and Emma Greenlees ( Dumfries and Galloway) and Katie McGarva (Troon Ladies) were equal second.
It was another great weekend on the Scottish Junior Golf Tour with juniors displaying their usual spirit and determination

Oliver and Alexis win the Polo Junior

Classic titles at Palm Beach Gardens

Oliver Schniederjans and Alexis Thompson won the boys' and girls' titles respectively in the Polo Junior Classic.
Schniederjans beat Cory Whitsett by one hole and Thompson bt Victoria Tanco by 3 and 2 in the girls' final.
In the earlier boys' semi-finals, Whitsett from Houston defeated fellow Texan, Jordan Spieth of Dallas, 2 and 1.
Schniederjans from Powder Springs, Georgia won his semi-final against Cameron Wilson of Rowayton, Connecticut 3 and 2.
Schniederjans had never won an American Junior Golf Association event previously.
In the Girls' Division semi-finals, Rolex Junior Player of the Year Victoria Tanco of Bradenton, Florida was victorious over Kelly Shon of Port Washington, New York State 5 and 3.
Alexis Thompson of Coral Springs, Florida defeated A.J. Newell of Tampa 3 and 1.
All the matches were played at the PGA National Resort & Spa's championship course at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Abu Dhabi Junior Championships' Final Day

Tom Lewis (left) was caught by Chris Lloyd over last round but Alexandra Peters (right) stayed clear of the girls' field.

Lloyd catches Lewis for boys' title but Alex

Peters wins girls' crown by five strokes

NEWS RELEASE
Chris Lloyd (Sunningdale), playing as a sponsors' invite, caught the long-time leader, British boys champion Tom Lewis (Welwyn Garden City) over the final round to win the Abu Dhabi Junior Championship, presented by The Daily Telegraph, boys' title.
But Alexandra Peters (Notts Ladies) maintained her lead to win the girls' title.
In much cooler conditions, the finalists teed-off in the final round of The Abu Dhabi Junior Golf Championship, presented by The Daily Telegraph. They were all smiles on the first tee, looking forward to their last round at the magnificent Abu Dhabi Golf Club but the nerves were still jangling. The leaders in both the boys’ and the girls’ competitions had a four-shot lead over the rest of the field but with the quality of players underneath them, the overall winners were anyone’s guess.
Alex Peters, the overnight leader, picked up a birdie early on to extend her lead over closest competitors Sophie Godley and Holly Clyburn. However, a dropped shot at the par-5 eighth gave the other girls a look-in. A run of three birdies from Jess Wilcox put her into sole second place only three shots behind Alex.
However, Alex picked up momentum with birdies on 13 and 14 to put her at five under par, ahead of Jess by five shots. Both girls carded the lowest score of the week with a 69 (3 under par) and Alex was the overall winner by a convincing five shots. She will return next year to take part in the championship for the fourth time.
In the boys’ competition, Tom Lewis had two early birdies and looked like he could run away with it but a rare bogey on the sixth and a birdie from Chris Lloyd meant the gap was closed again to four shots.
Another bogey followed for Lewis at the eighth hole while Lloyd picked up a further shot. Only two shots separated them going down the ninth where Lloyd had yet another birdie. Lloyd was on a roll, and a wonderful iron shot into the 10th green gave him a chance of an eagle, but it grazed the hole. Lewis, who had missed the fairway could only record a par so the boys were level.
A missed par putt by Lewis at the 12th put Lloyd one in front of Lewis where he remained until the 16th where Lewis dropped another shot. So two shots in front with two to play, Lloyd had a little breathing space, only for him to bogey the par-4 17th, while Lewis made par.
A play-off loomed but in an unfazed manner, Lloyd put his third shot on the green and calmly two putted whilst Lewis could only manage a par.
Final rounds of 73 for Lewis and 68 for Lloyd meant Lloyd was took the title with the total of eleven under par, one shot ahead of Lewis.
SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL THE SCORES

Abu Dhabi Junior Championship Final Totals
presented by The Daily Telegraph

GIRLS (par 216: 3x72)
211 Alex Peters (Notts Ladies) 71 71 69.
216 Jess Wilcox (Blankney) 73 74 69.
219 Heidi Baek (Felixstowe Ferry) 73 74 72, Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) 71 75 73.
224 Sophia Godley (Lindrick) 71 75 78.
228 Georgia Hall (Ferndown) 74 74 80.
233 Charlotte Austwick (Pike Hills) 74 78 81.
234 Hannah Turland (Tidworth) 74 83 77.
255 Michaela Chivers (Farrington) 83 85 87.

BOYS (PAR 216: 3x72)
205 Chris Lloyd (The Kendleshire) 71 66 68.
206 Tom Lewis (Welwyn Garden City) 64 69 73.
220 Tomasz Anderson (Mill Green) 74 74 72.
221 Ben Herbert (Clacton-on-Sea) 74 75 72.
225 Ross Mitchell (Sunningdale) 74 70 81.
226 Ryan Fricker (Yelverton) 77 73 76.
227 Ben Ludlan (Dunwood Manor) 79 74 74.
230 Jack MacKenzie (Princes) 75 77 78, Jordan Ainley (Brokenhurst Manor) 73 77 80, Myles Angell (Clevedon) 76 73 81.
233 Tom Ibbertson (Coventry Hearsall) 82 75 76.
234 Joel Neale (United Arab Emirates) 75 84 75.

BOYS' TOTALS TO COME

ABU DHABI JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Tom Lewis and Alex Peters lead

boys/girls' sections

NEWS RELEASE
Day two of The Abu Dhabi Junior Golf Championship, presented by The Daily Telegraph, got underway with all juniors hoping to improve on their first-round scores. With eight of the nine girls bunched together with only three shots separating them, it was all to play for.
The conditions were similar to the first day, a little breeze and glorious sunshine, very different to the weather back home.
With Tom Lewis’ fantastic round of eight-under par 64 on Friday putting him way out in front of the rest of the boys’ field, he was definitely the one the others were striving to catch. With a seven shot lead heading into the second day, there was little pressure on Tom.
Joining him in the last group off the tee was Chris Lloyd, who started the day at one-under par, and Jordan Ainley, starting at one-over par.
Tom and Chris both birdied the first hole but Chris was the one with the momentum as he went on to birdie the first three holes and reduce the gap to five shots. However, Tom increased his lead again by the end of the first nine, with both boys going out in 33 (three-under par).
Few others looked like making progress on their score but Ross Mitchell, the leading qualifier, finished with a tidy two-under par 70 to finish the day in third position.
British boys' champion Tom Lewis completed his round in steady fashion with not one dropped shot on the back nine to finish the second round at 11 under par 133 overall.
The round of the day came from the sponsors’ invitation, Chris Lloyd who had a successive run of three birdies on the back nine to finish the day on seven-under-par 137, only four shots behind Tom. We should be in for an interesting round tomorrow.
In the girls’ competition, the best round of the day came from Alex Peters, pictured above by Cal Carson Golf Agency, one of this year's British girls' championship semi-finalists who is playing in her third Junior Championship. Alex shot a very steady one-under par 71 to get to a total of two-under par 142 and she lies four shots clear of the field.
Sophie Godley and Holly Clyburn remain in joint second place but rounds of 75 leave them with a lot of work to do on the final day to challenge Alex.
After completing their rounds, the juniors attended a Skills Challenge where the focus was on the short game – putting and chipping. David Howell, past player of the tournament and former World Number 10, was there to give advice to the juniors and to answer any questions they may have had. They played a number of putting and chipping games the competitive spirit remained but fun was had by all at the same time.


SCROLL DOWN FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS' SECOND-ROUND TOTALS

Abu Dhabi Junior International Championship
Presented by the Daily Telegraph

SECOND-ROUND TOTALS

BOYS
Par 144 (2x72)
133 Tom Lewis (Welwyn Garden City) 64 69.
137 Chris Lloyd (The Kendleshire) 71 66.
144 Ross Mitchell (Sunningdale) 74 70.
148 Tomasz Anderson (Mill Green) 74 74.
149 Myles Angell (Clevedon) 76 73, Ben Herbert (Clacton-on-Sea) 74 75.
150 Ryan Fricker (Yelverton) 77 73, Jordan Ainley (Brokenhurst Manor) 77 73.
152 Jack MacKenzie (Princes) 75 77.
153 Ben Ludlam (Dunwood Manor) 79 74.
157 Tom Ibbertson (Coventry Hearsall) 82 75.
159 Joel Neale (United Arab Emirates) 75 84.

GIRLS
Par 144 (2x72)
142 Alex Peters (Notts Ladies) 71 71.
146 Sophie Godley (Lindrick) 71 75, Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) 71 75.
147 Jess Wilcox (Blankney) 73 74, Heidi Baek (Felixstowe Ferry) 73 74.
148 Georgia Hall (Ferndown) 74 74.
152 Charlotte Austwick (Pike Hills) 74 78.
157 Hannah Turland (Tidworth) 74 83.
168 Michaela Chivers (Farrington) 83 85.

Abu Dhabi junior championship, sponsored by Daily Telegraph

Lewis leads by seven in boys' event but it's

Holly, Sophie & Alex (71) sharing girls' lead

ALL THE FIRST ROUND SCORES AT A GLANCE:

BOYS (par 72)
Tom Lewis (Welwyn Garden City) 64
Chris Lloyd (The Kendleshire) 71
Jordan Ainley (Brokenhurst Manor) 73
Ben Herbert ( Clackton-on-Heath) 74
Tomasz Anderson (Mill Green) 74
Ross Mitchell (Sunningdale) 74
Jack Mackenzie (Princes) 75
Joel Neale (United Arab Emirates) 75
Myles Angell (Clevedon) 76
Ryan Fricker (Yelverton) 77
Ben Ludlam (Dunwood Manor) 79
Tom Ibbertson (Coventry Hearsall) 82
GIRLS (par 72)
Alex Peters (Notts Ladies) 71
Sophie Godley (Lindrick) 71
Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) 71
Jess Wilcox (Blankney) 73
Heidi Baek (Felixstowe Ferry) 73
Georgia Hall (Ferndown) 74
Hannah Turland (Tidworth) 74
Charlotte Austwick (Pike Hills) 74
Michaela Chivers (Farrington) 83

NEWS RELEASE
The Abu Dhabi Junior Golf Championship presented by The Daily Telegraph got underway today at The Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Twenty one juniors teed it up in the blazing sunshine, all hoping for a chance to take home the title. Past winners of this prestigious competition include Justin Rose, Andrew Coltart, Rebecca Hudson and more recently Oliver Fisher and Melissa Reid. Twenty juniors arrived in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday evening and were joined by Joel Neale, an 18-year old UAE resident making up the twenty one finalists for a practice round on Wednesday. Whilst the finalists enjoyed their first taste of the golf course, a past player of the tournament, David Howell helped local UAE professionals to coach UAE children in a junior clinic. This is an initiative which has been facilitated by The R & A’s development committee, as well as Abu Dhabi Golf Club and Emirates Golf Federation, in order to encourage more juniors from the region to play golf.
In preparation for the main competition, the finalists took part in a Challenge Match yesterday where they all partnered a local UAE junior in a fourball betterball stableford format. Tom Ibbertson and Sohail Al Marzooqi claimed the trophy, scoring 42 points.
Round One of the championship took place today. A number if the girls picked up shots early on but throughout the round there were a number of them bunched at the top of the leaderboard. At the end of the day, there were three girls who shot the leading score of one-under-par 71 – Alexandra Peters, Sophie Godley and Holly Clyburn. Heading into the second round it is all to play for as there are eight girls separated by only three shots.
English girls' champion and Curtis Cup candidate Clyburn looked destined to end the first day a shot clear of the girls' field but she was bunkered at the last where a great three-wood shot just caught a greenside bunker instead of running on to the green.
Peters did not look a threat to the leaders when the first nine holes cost her 38 shots. But she showed her class in coming out in 33 with four birdies for a share of the lead.
In the boys’ competition, there was a slightly different story revealing as Tom Lewis, winner of the British Boys and Carris Trophy this year came darting out of the blocks. A very steady front 9 took him to -3 and he was leading by a few shots at the turn.
Five birdies in a row from the tenth put him at -8 for the round. Perhaps by his standards a disappointing 18th hole having driven into the bunker and only making a par but all in all a fantastic day’s work. Chris Lloyd, the sponsor’s invite, is seven shots behind Tom on the leaderboard after a solid 71, with a very respectable back nine of two-under par.

News from the Polo Junior Classic at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

FROM THE AMERICAN JUNIOR GOLF ASSOCIATION WEBSITE
It turned out to be quite a Thanksgiving at PGA National.
Rolex Junior Player of the Year Jordan Spieth and 2007 U.S. Junior Amateur champ Cory Whitsett advanced to the semi-finals of the Polo Golf Junior Classic today at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and will square off Friday morning with a trip to the championship match on the line.
Oliver Schniederjans and Cameron Wilson will play in the other semi-final.
In the girls’ division, two-time Rolex Junior Player of the Year Victoria Tanco and Golfweek’s top-ranked junior Alexis Thompson also moved on to the semi-finals. Thompson will face A.J. Newell, while Tanco will play Kelly Shon.
Tanco was one down with four holes to play in her quarter-final with Tiffany Lim, but won No. 15 with a birdie to square the match, then took the lead by winning the 16th with a par. She won match by one hole with a par at the last.
Thompson cruised, winning her second round match, 4 and 2, over Beverly Vantananugulkit and knocking off Grace Na (first-round conqueror of Ireland's No 6 seed, Stephanie Meadow), 5 and 4, in the quarter-finals. Thompson has yet to reach the 17th hole in any of her matches.
Spieth lost just one hole in his 6-and-5 victory over Jeff Wibawa in the second round, then built a five-hole lead through 12 holes in his quarter-final with Matthew Ceravolo, before winning, 3 and 2.
Whitsett won six consecutive holes to gain a seven-hole advantage on second round opponent Franco Castro before defeating him, 5 and 4. Whitsett rolled in the quarter-finals, too, beating Bobby Wyatt, 2 and 1.
Schniederjans knocked off medalist (leading qualifier) Emiliano Grillo by one hole to reach the semi-finals. Wilson, meanwhile, was two down after three holes in his quarter-final against Denny McCarthy, but won the fourth, fifth and sixth holes, then the ninth and 10th to build a three-hole lead. He went on to win, 5 and 3.
Results from the quarter-finals at the AJGA Polo Golf Junior Classic at the PGA National Resort & Spa (Champion) in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

BOYS

QUARTER-FINALS
Jordan Spieth def. Matthew Ceravolo, 3 and 2
Cory Whitsett def. Bobby Wyatt, 2 and 1
Oliver Schniederjans def. Emiliano Grillo 1 hole.
Cameron Wilson def. Denny McCarthy, 5 and 3

SECOND ROUND
Matthew Ceravolo def. Curtis Thompson at 20th
Jordan Speith def. Jeff Wibawa, 6 and 5
Cory Whitsett def. Franco Castro, 5 and 4
Bobby Wyatt def. Richard Werenski 1 hole.
Emiliano Grill def. Sean Kelly, 3 and 2
Oliver Schniederjans def. Stephen Behr Jr., 4 and 3
Denny McCarthy def. Clancy Waugh, 3 and 2
David Mills def. Cameron Wilson, 6 and 5

FIRST ROUND
Curtis Thompson def. Anton Arboleda, 2 and 1
Matthew Ceravolo def. Wyndham Clark, 5 and 3
Jordan Spieth def. Tanner Kesterson, 2 and 1
Jeff Wibawa def. Kramer Hickok, 4 and 3
Cory Whitsett def. Theodore Lederhausen 2 holes.
Franco Castro def. Motin Yeung 1 hole.
Richard Werenski def. Jay Hwang, 4 and 3
Bobby Wyatt def. M.J. Maguire, 5 and 4
Emiliano Grillo def. Patrick Rodgers 1 hole.
Sean Kelly def. Seiji Liu, 3 and 2
Oliver Schniederjans def. Ji Soo Park, 4 and 3
Stephen Behr Jr. def. Austin Cody, 4 and 3
Denny McCarthy def. Niclas Carlsson, 2 and 1
Clancy Waugh def. Oscar Lengdén at 19th.
David Mills def. Jim Liu at 19th.
Cameron Wilson def. Andrew Levitt, 1 hole.
• • •
GIRLS

QUARTERFINALS
Victoria Tanco def. Tiffany Lim, 1 hole.
Kelly Shon def. Simin Feng, 5 and 4
A.J. Newell def. Emma Talley, 2 and 1
Alexis Thompson def. Grace Na, 5 and 4

SECOND ROUND
Tiffany Lim def. Alison Lee, 1 hole
Victoria Tanco def. Austin Ernst, 4 and 2
Simin Feng def. Casey Grice, 6 and 5
Kelly Shon def. Doris Chen, 3 and 2
A.J. Newell def. Kristen Park at 19th
Emma Talley def. Marijosse Navarro, 5 and 4
Alexis Thompson def. Beverly Vantananugulkit, 4 and 2
Grace Na def. Sarah Brown, 2 and 1

FIRST ROUND
Tiffany Lim def. Nicole Zhang, 4 and 3
Alison Lee def. Ani Gulugian, at 20th
Austin Ernst def. Gabriella Then, 5 and 4
Victoria Tanco def. Kyle Roig, 6 and 5
Casey Grice def. Szu-Han Chen, 2 holes.
Simin Feng def. Madelene Sagström, 1 hole.
Doris Chen def. Michelle Butler, 4 and 2
Kelly Shon def. Mariah Stackhouse, 2 and 1
Kristen Park def. Jessica Korda, at 19th.
A.J. Newell def. Luz Alejandra Cangrejo at 19th.
Emma Talley def. Tanaporn Kongkiatkrai, 1 hole.
Marijosse Navarro def. Ashlan Ramsey, 1 hole.
Alexis Thompson def. Yueer Cindy Feng, 6 and 4
Beverly Vatananugulkit def. Laetitia Beck, 4 and 3
Grace Na def. Stephanie Meadow, 2 holes.
Sarah Brown def. Jessica Vasilic, 2 and 1
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Stephanie No 6 girls' seed in Polo Junior Classic

after rounds of 71 and 72 at PGA National

Ireland's Stephanie Meadow has earned the No 6 seed spot in Girls' Division of the Polo Golf Junior Classic at the PGA National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach Gardens in Florida.
Stephanie, a student at the Hank Hainey International Junior Golf Academy at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, had rounds of 71 and 72 for a total of 143 in the qualifying rounds. She will now play Grace Na from Oakland, California. Grace qualified in 27th position with a total of 149.
Emiliano Grillo of Resistencia, Argentina, and Curtis Thompson of Coral Springs, Florida, carried their first-round lead through round two, earning co-medalist honours in the Boys' Division. In all, 32 boys and 32 girls advanced to match play.
The Girls Division played the Haig Course in the second round and Nicole Zhang was up to the task, taking the No. 1 seed position after firing a 6-under-par 66. Zhang spread out six birdies against no bogeys and will have the opportunity to play the Haig Course again in the first round of match play. She will meet Tiffany Lim of San jose, California., Wednesday morning.
Jessica Korda of Bradenton, Fla., shot a 4-under-par in the second round to claim the No. 2 seed, while Alexis Thompson of Coral Springs, Fla., carded a 5-under-par 67 to be the third seed. Korda will meet Kristen Park of Buena Park, Calif., while Thompson will meet Cindy Feng of Orlando, Fla., in a battle of first-team Rolex Junior All-Americans.
While the girls play the Haig Course, the boys will play the Champion Course in the first round. All remaining rounds will be contested on the Champion Course - the home of the US PGA Tour's Honda Classic.

Mike Miller and Stephanie Meadow, individual title winners in Florida at the weekend.

Stephanie Meadow retains Golfweek Junior Invitational title

FROM THE GOLF WEEK WEBSITE

By Julie Williams

SCROLL DOWN THIS REPORT TO READ ABOUT HOW STEPHANIE MEADOW FROM NORTHERN IRELAND WON THE GOLFWEEK JUNIOR INVITATIONAL TITLE FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW.

ORLANDO, Florida. Sunday could have been a bad day for Mike Miller if he hadn’t managed to rally on the third hole. As it turned out, Miller walked away with the Golfweek Junior Invitational title and a good memory to take into the off season.
Miller, 17, of Brewster, N.Y., entered the final round one shot behind leader Kyle Jones. After a double bogey on No. 1 and a missed birdie putt at No. 2, Miller rattled off four birdies in seven holes at Reunion Resort’s Legacy Course and kept his focus as wind gusts picked up during the afternoon. HIs playing partners, Jones and Jordan Janico, struggled coming down the stretch.
“On No. 9, when I made birdie and they both made a bogey,” he said. “There was about a two- or three-shot swing there. I knew I had the momentum, I just kind of went with it.”
Miller bogeyed the par-4 12th, but backed it up with birdies at Nos. 13 and 14 to close with a 3-under 69. He was at 2-under 142 for the tournament.
“I was hitting it really well, I played smart,” Miller said. “... I just kept it in play.”
The event marked the end of Miller’s 2009 season, a highlight of which was qualifying for the U.S. Junior Amateur. This week Miller “free-willed it” as the tournament was his last before he’ll switch focus to hockey for the winter. He also has committed to play golf at Penn State in the fall. Marcel Puyat recorded the second-lowest round of the tournament in the final round with a 70. The 16-year-old had five birdies in the first 11 holes before bogeying the par-4 12th. He had bogeys at Nos. 16 and 18 to close his round, and was at 3-over 147 for the tournament.
Jordan Niebrugge, 16, also battled the wind successfully, carding a second-round 73 that moved him into third at 4-over 148.
Janico, 17, was tied for second with Miller after Round 1, but struggled Sunday and posted a 76 that included just two birdies. Playing a new set of Titleist AP2 irons and wedges he had only had for a week, the 17-year-old struggled to keep the ball low against the wind.
“Still trying to get used to distances and ball flight, so that was kind of tough today,” he said.
Jones, 16, also struggled in the final round, falling from the top spot to a tie for fifth after a 78. He lost a ball in shrubbery to the left of the green at the par-5 15th and made double bogey, then added two more bogeys at Nos. 16 and 18.
“For the wind I was playing solid,” Jones said. “I made a couple bogeys but that’s going to happen out there. I kind of struggled on the back. Just not my day.”
In the girls’ division, Stephanie Meadow made history with her victory. She was the first player to win multiple Golfweek Junior Invitational titles in the event’s eight-year history.
“It brings back good memories because you already won it,” Meadow, 17, said. “I know it’s a different course this time, but it’s still good feelings.”
A student at the Hank Hainey Junior Interntional Golf Academy on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Meadow, 17, carded the only sub-par round Saturday, and took a three-shot lead into the final round. Meadow, from Antrim, Northern Ireland, expertly battled wind gusts throughout the tournament, and was able to shape shots against the wind – something she has been working on.
She started the final round with eight pars and a bogey at the 18th (her ninth), before carding her lone birdie at the par-4 fourth. She closed with three bogeys in the last four holes.
“You’re always nervous coming down the stretch, but that’s why you play golf to have that pressure and that adrenaline rush,” she said.
Meadow has committed to play for the University of Alabama next fall (Daniela Lendl is following her example), and will not be eligible to compete for a third victory in a row at next year’s Golfweek Junior Invitational.
Amy Ruengmateekhun made a big move up the leaderboard in the final round, carding an even-par 72. Ruengmateekhun cancelled out four bogeys with four birdies, and a double bogey with an eagle at the 475-yard par-5 15th.
The 18-year-old said she was able to take her round one shot at a time and not focus on the end result. She was at 5-over 149 for the tournament.
“I’m happy with my score. Seventy-two is a good round,” she said. “I haven’t gone this low in a while.”
Ruengmateekhun, who has committed to Southern Methodist, said she felt prepared for the tournament since she played in several invitationals over the summer. She also was the first alternate for the U.S. Women’s Open, but did not end up receiving a spot in the field.
Simin Feng, who was tied for third after Round 1, made a run at the title in her opening nine. Starting at No. 10, Feng eagled the 15th, and also had two birdies on that side. She had three double bogeys and two bogeys at the start of her second nine, and finished the day at 5-over 77. The 14-year-old tied for fifth at 8-over 152.
Linda Luo and Yueer Cindy Feng tied for third at 7-over 151.
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Stephanie Meadow leads Florida field with sub-par 71

FROM THE GOLFWEEK WEBSITE
By Julie Williams
Windy weather worked to Stephanie Meadow’s advantage Saturday at the Golfweek Junior Invitational as the 17-year-old from Northern Ireland shot the only sub-par round of both the boys’ and the girls’ divisions.
Meadow fired a steady 71 at the Reunion Resort’s Legacy Course in Orlando, Florida, that included two bogeys and three birdies. The round got her off to a solid start as she tries to defend her Golfweek Junior Invitational title. Meadow would be the first player in the history of the event to win back-to-back years.
The top of the leaderboard is familiar territory for the petite strawberry blonde, as she started the summer with a victory at the AJGA Cliffs Championship in April and the International Junior Golf Tour’s Tournament of Champions in May.
“I just played really consistent tee to green,” she said. “It could have been a lot better actually. I missed a lot of shortish putts for birdie.”
Meadow, a student at the Hank Hainey Junior Internaitonal Golf Academy at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and who has committed to the University of Alabama for next fall, is used to windy conditions on the golf course in her home of Antrim, Ireland. A steady iron game was the key to her solid round Saturday.
“I’ve worked a lot on shaping shots so I was able to control my ball which helped a lot in the wind,” she said.
No. 9 in the Golfweek/Titleist Junior Rankings, Meadow is the highest-ranked player in the girls’ division. Yueer Cindy Feng, No. 21, is next on the leaderboard after a first-round 74.
Feng, the 13-year-old who won the AJGA’s Thunderbird International Junior and McDonalds Betsy Rawls Girls’ Championship earlier in the summer, had an up-and-down day as the wind gusted. She had four bogies in five holes starting at the 8th, but pulled it together to birdie Nos. 15 and 16 coming in.
“Putting wasn’t the best,” Feng said, as she headed to the practice green after her round. “Other than that it was alright. It wasn’t the best round.”
Simin Feng, 14, entered the Golfweek Junior Invitational after an appearance at the Hana Bank Kolon Championship last week in Incheon, South Korea, and is one shot behind Cindy. Simin was 1 over after 17 holes, but double-bogeyed 18 after taking two shots to get out of a greenside bunker to shoot 3-over 75.
“I was kind of disappointed because I was expecting myself to play much better than this,” Simin said. “I’m having a tough time right now with my golf game.”
Christina Miller and Brenna Nelson also are tied for third.
In the boys’ division, Kyle Jones led the pack with an even-par 72. Jones, of Snowflake, Ariz., started his round with two birdies in his first three holes. Jones took a double on the par-4 18th, his ninth hole of the day, after getting a “nasty” lie in the rough. He had nine pars coming in.
“I thought the course was playing fair today,” Jones said of the set-up.
Jones said his game felt good in Round 1, despite windy conditions. He missed just three fairways and two greens all day.
“I have the green light to go at pins,” he said of his strategy for Round 2.
Jones has won Player of the Year honors in both the Junior Golf Association of Arizona and the Southwest Section Junior Tour.
Jordan Janico, of Duluth, Ga., and Mike Miller, of Brewster, N.Y., were tied for second at 1-over 73.
Miller played consistently, following a single birdie on the front with two bogeys on the back nine. Janico matched his three birdies with four bogeys. He struggled on the par 3s, bogeying three of the four. Janico, who holds the Southeastern Junior Golf Tour’s 18-hole scoring record of 129, has committed to Vanderbilt for next fall.
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