LESSING'S AJGA CLASSIC
The Concord Resort & Golf Club, The Monster Course
Kiamesha Lake, New York
August 12-15, 2002

CANADIAN BICKERTON PACES FIELD WITH A 73 AT LESSING'S
New York native Herlihy cards a 75, leads 10 players by one stroke

KIAMESHA LAKE, N.Y. -- Ashley Bickerton of Ottawa, Ontario, paced the girls field by carding a 1-over-par 73 to lead by four strokes in the first round of the Lessing's AJGA Classic Tuesday. Brent Herlihy of Glens Falls, N.Y., leads the Boys Division by one stroke after shooting 3-over-par 75.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Lessing's AJGA Classic features 79 boys and 21 girls representing 19 states and Canada, including 35 players from the state of New York. The tournament is being held on the par-72 Monster Course at The Concord Resort & Golf Club, spread over 6,953 yards for boys and 5,968 yards for girls.

Playing in her second AJGA tournament, the 17-year-old Canadian played a consistent game with a cocksure attitude. Bickerton hit 15 of 18 greens and 12 of 14 fairways en route to her low round of the day.

"I've been playing well, but not necessarily scoring well lately," Bickerton said. "But I've tried to focus on hitting greens and fairways since hitting fairways are especially important."

Bickerton was 3-under-par after 15 holes and managed to not only hit greens and fairways, but she managed to hit trees, a golf cart and a group of Canadian Geese.

"I was satisfied with my round through 15 holes," Bickerton said. "But all-in-all it was a really fun day out there today."

After carding two double bogeys in her last three holes, the passionate Bickerton is determined not to let her concentration slide again.

"Coming in with a double, par, double doesn't make you happy coming off the course," Bickerton said. "I was happy through 15 holes, but I'm not going to end like that again."

Tiffany Prats of Williston, Fla., is alone in second after shooting 77. Jeannine Mondesando of Mahwah, N.J., and Tiffany Tavee of Gilbert, Ariz., are tied for third after rounds of 78.

In the Boys Division, New York native Brent Herlihy stands alone atop a tightly packed field, one shot up on 10 players tied at 76.

"I hit the ball really well today," Herlihy said. "The toughest part when playing this course is ball striking, because it's so long."

The Monster Course proved to be a tough challenge for the entire field, and Herlihy fell victim to adversity at the end of his round.

"I was pretty happy with my round," Herlihy said. "But then I three-putted from eight feet to finish and it was really frustrating. I know that tournaments can't be won on the first day so I'm fine."

The 17-year-old Herlihy is excited to be playing in his home state and he feels confident in his game.

"Even par will win this tournament," Herlihy said. "And that's my goal this week."

In a ten-way tie for second after rounds of 76 are Pat Kelly of Garden City, N.Y.; Chris McLaughlin of Northport, N.Y.; Christopher Reedman of Yardley, Pa.; KJ Camera of Manchester, Conn.; Joe April of Sewell, N.J.; Adam Cohn of Binghamton, N.Y.; Joel Pokorney of Sharpsville, Pa.; Marco Poccia of Gansevoort, N.Y.; Eric Meierdierks of Wilmette, Ill., and Kevin Riley of Waterford, Conn.

Second-round action will begin Wednesday, August 14, 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, please contact tournament headquarters at (845) 794-4000, ext. 8002, or visit the Association's Web site at ajga.org.

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