June 13, 2007–Ryan Sheffer of Tucson, Ariz., and Tyler Weworski of Carlsbad, Calif., shot 4-under-par 67s in the first round of the 18th annual Las Vegas Founders Junior Golf Championship presented by Meadow Gold Dairy. In the Girls Division, Sarah Salvo of Glendale, Ariz. leads by one stroke after carding a 1-over-par, 72. Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, The Las Vegas Founders Junior Golf Championship presented by Meadow Gold Dairy is a stroke play event being held at Angel Park Golf Club – Mountain Course. There are 11 players from the Las Vegas golf region in the event, led by In-Ah Park, who sits in second place after the first round in the girls division.
Kevin Collignon fired a 71, and is in a tie for 14th in the boys division. Past winners of this event include PGA Tour players Chris Riley and Trip Kuehne, and LPGA Tour players Stephanie Louden and Christie Kerr, among others. Tiger Woods also played in this event as a junior golfer. 2nd Round Scoring Now.
In the first round, Sheffer carded five birdies with help from his solid swing. I am just going to play my game tomorrow, Sheffer said. I just have to remember its just another round and to play my best.
Eighteen of the past 24 NCAA Men's golf champions have played on the AJGA Tour, and 21 of the past 14 women's champions. And 14 of the last 16 men's and women's US Amateur champions have played on the PGA Tour.
AJGA alumni on the PGA Tour include Stewart Cink, Steve Flesch, Jim Furyk, Sergio Garcia, Charles Howell III, Matt Kuchar, Justin Leonard, Davis Love III, Andrew Magee, Phil Mickelson, Joe Ogilvie, David Toms, Mike Weir, Tiger Woods and Scott Verplank.
AJGA alumni on the LPGA Tour include Beth Bauer, Brandie Burton, Laura Diaz, Vicki Goetze-Ackerman, Pat Hurst, Christina Kim, Cristie Kerr, Emilee Klein, Kelli Kuehne, Michelle McGann, Lorena Ochoa, Grace Park, Dottie Pepper, Kelly Robbins, Sherri Steinhauer, Kris Tschetter and Wendy Ward.
Sharing the lead after the first round in the Boys Division, Weworski felt he improved his game on the back nine.
I focused on controlling my distance below the hole today, Weworski said. By staying calm and focused throughout the round, I was able to turn in a low score.
Rounding out the top-five in the Boys Division are Rak Cho of Torrance, Calif., Ji Park of Fullerton, Calif., and Sam Smith of Turlock, Calif, with 3-under-par 68s.
In the Girls Division, Salvo took the lead by one stroke. She felt her ball striking was strong today by hitting 12 fairways and 15 greens.
The greens were really dry today, Salvo said. Tomorrow I will focus more on controlling that so I can turn in a 72 or below.
Other leaders in the Girls Division include In-Ah Park of Las Vegas at 2-over-par 73, and Alice Kim of Diamond Bar, Calif., at 3-over-par 74.
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 largest Association of its kind, the AJGA has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of more than 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and more than 25 foreign countries.
The Las Vegas Founders operated the Las Vegas PGA Tour event since 1983 until this year, and have generated more than $15 million for local charities in addition to jump starting the UNLV mens golf program, and the creating the UNLV women's golf program in addition to operating the AJGA event.
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. More than 160 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 300 wins.