LESSING'S AJGA CLASSIC QUALIFIER
ClubCorp Qualifier Series
The Concord Resort & Golf Club, The International Course
Kiamesha Lake, New York
August 11, 2002

LEFANTE, WELLS GARNER MEDALIST HONORS AT LESSING'S QUALIFIER Eleven boys, two girls qualify for Lessing's AJGA Classic

KIAMESHA LAKE, N.Y. -- Eric LeFante of Colts Neck, N.J., and Jordyn Wells of Bethel Park, Pa., overcame rough starts early to top their respective fields Sunday at the Lessing's AJGA Classic Qualifier, held on the par-71 International Course at The Concord Resort & Golf Club. LeFante fired a 2-under-par 69 to claim Boys Division honors and Wells clinched Qualifier medalist honors for the second time this season after shooting a 76
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Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the 18-hole qualifier gave 90 players the opportunity to play their way into the three-round Championship event, which will be held Tuesday through Thursday on The Monster Course at The Concord Resort & Golf Club.

Despite starting the day off with a double bogey on No. 10, LeFante remained focused on his game carding birdies on Nos. 16, 17 and 18 and after the turn on No. 6.

"I've learned from experience that getting mad doesn't help my game," the 15-year-old LeFante said. "My goal today was to qualify and get into the tournament."

The New Jersey native will make his AJGA debut after two attempts and is eager to take on this week's competition.

"It feels pretty good to have qualified today," LeFante said. "I've always played well at the local level, but I feel that I've proved to myself that I can play with the best regionally."

Also qualifying in the Boys Division were Chris Flatley of Darien, Conn.; Alex Knoll of Bethlehem, Pa.; Alex Brueggemann of Bel Air, Md.; Larry Haertel of Greenwich, Conn.; Jonathan Weininger of Riverdale, N.Y.; John Murphy of Wilton, Conn.; James Kim of Harrington Park, N.J.; Joel Pokorney of Sharpsville, Pa.; Pat Kelly of Garden City, N.Y.; and Joseph Choma of Granite Springs, N.Y.

In the Girls Division, Wells remained confident throughout the day despite posting two bogeys and two double bogeys on the front nine.

"I felt a little frustrated at first because I really wanted to qualify," Wells said. "I struggled with my short game today, but I still feel very confident with the way I'm playing."

The 15-year-old also carded three birdies on the day and looks to end her season with an AJGA win.

"I've been striking the ball pretty well and my mental game is pretty sharp," Wells said. "I'm feeling very confident and I'm going for a win."

Chelsea Chiapella of Memphis, Tenn., was the day's other qualifier with a round of 38-41-79.

The Lessings's AJGA Classic will feature 78 boys and 21 girls representing 19 states and Canada, including 33 players from the state of New York.

First-round action will begin Tuesday, August 13, with tee times running between 6:30 a.m. - 11:27 a.m. off the No. 1 tee of The Monster Course at The Concord Resort & Golf Club.

For more information on the Lessing's AJGA Classic Qualifier, please contact tournament headquarters at (845) 794-4000, ext. 8002.

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