Round One Almost In The Books At Oak Tree

Edmond, Okla. – Round one of the 2010 PGA Junior Series event at Oak Tree Country Club in Edmond, Okla., was perfect for half the field.  Due to weather, the Boys’ 16-18 Division was unable to finish round one.  However, the other three divisions completed their play in the morning. 

The Boys’ 16-18 Division will complete round one tomorrow morning with an 8:00 A.M. re-start followed by the start of round two directly after finishing round one.  The other three divisions will play in the afternoon following the Boys’ 16-18 Division. 

The field consists of 100 juniors from 13 different states that are competing in a 54-hole tournament. 

In the Girls’ 13-15 Division, Megan Blonien of Altus, Okla., shot the low round of the day for the girls.  Her even-par-70 gives herself a nine stroke lead over Jordan Chael of Overland Park, Kan.

A solid ball striking day allowed Blonien to make three birdies and bolt in front of the field.  Blonien has national experience having competed at last year’s Junior PGA Championship and is drawing on that experience to play well this week. 

Shelby Martinek of Tempe, Ariz., is in first place in the Girls’ 16-18 Division.  She is fresh off her third place finish last week at the PGA Junior Series event in Colorado Springs, Colo. 

Her 5-over-par 75 was a very interesting round for Martinek.  She shot a 2-uner-par 33 on her first nine holes of the day and then proceeded to shoot a 7-over-par 42 on her second nine holes.

Martinek was still in good spirits after a hard back-nine and hopes just to play more consistent the rest of the week. 

Oklahoma natives found themselves atop the Boys’ 13-15 Division leaderboard.  Nick Heinen of Edmond, Okla., and Brendon Jelley of Tulsa, Okla., are both tied after round one in first place after shooting a 1-over-par 71. 

For Heinen, it was a frustrating round because of the up and down play that he experienced.  He hopes to play steadier the rest of the tournament.

On the other hand, Jelley was pleased with how he played and his birdie on No. 12 allowed him to finish strong for the day.

“I just did not want to shoot myself out of the tournament today,” said Jelley who played last year when the PGA Junior Series was at Kicking Bird Golf Club. “I hope to play better and better every day.”