Junior Amateur Championship

AUSTIN GUTGSELL, PEYTON VITTER LEAD 2007 LGA JUNIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER FIRST ROUND

Par took a beating on Wednesday as Austin Gutgsell of Mandeville and Peyton Vitter of New Orleans fired 5-under par rounds of 67 to share the first round lead in the 50th Louisiana Golf Association Junior Amateur Championship.  On a day ripe for scoring, six players shot under par and another five shot even par rounds of 72.

Gutsgell started his round on #10, turning 2-under, then slam-dunked his second shot on the par four 4^th hole finishing his round with consecutive birdies on the eighth and ninth holes (his 17^th and 18^th holes). Vitter, only 14 years old, also started on #10 and had a bogey free round with 13 pars and five birdies. Another 14 year old, Myles Lewis of Metairie, is alone in third after his bogey free four-under 68. Last year’s runner-up in this Championship, Andrew Noto of Luling, shot 69 to land in 4^th place after 18 holes. Ryan Linder of Homer is in fifth at 70, with defending champion Cody Santone of Bossier City in sixth after his round of one-under par 71. Tied for seventh at even par 72 include: Jordan Jamar of Bossier City, Colin Corcoran of Lake Charles, Travis Wilmore of Alexandria, Corey Halsell of Lafayette, Landon Lyons of Baton Rouge, and John Hemphill of Madisonville.

This year’s Championship is being played at Beaver Creek Golf Club in the Baton Rouge suburb of Zachary.  Beaver Creek also hosted this Championship in 2005.  Wednesday’s play was conducted under hot and humid conditions.  The Beaver Creek course is playing to a par of 72 at approximately 6,750 yards for the Championship.

Age Group leaders after 18 holes are as follows: