EMREY, MCGOWAN TAKE ON FAVORITE ROLES IN FIFTH DOGWOOD STATE JUNIOR, AUG. 4-6

WEST END, NC (7/30/09) - With both the 2008 boys' and girls' winners out of this year's competition, the favorite's roles in the 5th Dogwood State Junior Championship fall upon two golfers who are ranked second among North Carolina junior golfers.

The Carolinas Golf Association event for North Carolina boys and girls will be played August 4-6 at Cabarrus Country Club in Concord, NC.

Allison Emrey of Charlotte, winner of the North & South Junior earlier this year, is the No. 2 ranked girl in the Tar Heel State and tied for second in last year's Dogwood State Junior. Likely challengers included third-ranked Katie Kirk of Davidson and fourth-ranked Kayla Sciupider of Etowah. Lorie Beth Adams of Burlington, ranked No. 9, and Lizzie Bundy of Clayton, ranked No. 10, are also entered.

In the boys' division, No. 2 ranked Michael McGowan of Southern Pines, winner of the North Carolina Independent Schools' 2-A State championship in late May, will be considered the favorite. McGowan is the son of former PGA Tour player Pat McGowan. The only other highly ranked player in the field is No. 8 Spencer Lawson of Raleigh.

The Dogwood State Championship is a 54-hole stroke play competition for boys in the 14-15 and 16-18 age divisions and the girls' division. Boys ages 11 and under will engage in 27 holes of stroke play. After 36 holes, the field is cut to the low half and ties in each division except for the youngest boys' division, in which there is no cut.

A year ago at Gaston Country Club in her hometown of Gastonia, Courtney Taylor won the girls' division for the third straight time. In last year's boys' division, John Conners of Apex scored a one-stroke victory over Robert Hoadley of Southern Pines. Neither Conners or Hoadley is entered in this year's event.

This is the first time Cabarrus CC has hosted a Carolinas Golf Association championship. The George Cobb-designed course, which opened in 1955, will play at 6,924 yards for the older boys, at 5,908 yards for the 12-13 year-old boys and the girls division and at 5,198 yards for the 11-and-under boys.

There were 217 entries for this year's championship, with most of them in the boys' 14-18 age divisions. A sectional qualifying event at Tradition GC in Charlotte on August 3 will further reduce the starting field.

ADDITIONAL MEDIA INFORMATION

5th Dogwood State Junior Championship

Cabarrus Country Club

3247 Weddington Rd

Concord, NC 28025

704-786-8154

DATES: August 4-6, 2009

2008 CHAMPIONS:

BOYS: John Conners, Apex 73-69-74--216

GIRLS: Courtney Taylor, Gastonia 76-80-75--231

FORMAT

The championship is conducted at 54 holes of stroke play for the girls division, boys 12-13, 14-15 and 16-18 age divisions and at 27 holes of stroke play for those ages 11-and-under. After 36 holes, the field is cut to the low half and ties in each age division. All 11 and under players qualify for the final round.

ELIGIBILITY

Entry open to any male or female amateur golfer who has not reached his or her 19th birthday by the last day of the championship, has not started college, is a legal resident of North Carolina, and the junior golfer, parent or guardian is a member in good standing of a club which is a member of the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA).

SCHEDULE OF ROUNDS

Monday, August 3

Course open for practice.

Tuesday, August 4

First round: 18 holes of stroke play for older divisions.

9 holes for 11 and under age division

Wednesday, August 5

Second round: 18 holes of stroke play for older divisions. Field cut to low half and ties. 9 holes for 11 and under age division

Thursday, August 6

Final Round (all age divisions)

PRIZES

Trophies are awarded to the champion, runnerup and first runner-up in each division. The overall boy's champion qualifies to represent the CGA in the 2010 Carolinas-Virginias Junior Boy's Team Matches. The girls' champion qualifies to represent the CGA in the 2010 Mid-Atlantic Challenge.

CABARRUS COUNTRY CLUB INFORMATION

HEAD PROFESSIONAL: Ken Guilford

COURSE SUPERINTENDENT: Tim Davis

TYPE COURSE: Private

ARCHITECT: George Cobb

OPENED: 1966

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Although many of the fairways are dogleg configurations, the fairways are wide and in good condition. The greens are medium-sized and undulating. The straight holes are not too long, par 3s are relatively short and par 5s are reachable with long tee balls. The tree-lined course was renovated in 1973 and offers a challenge to any golfer. Water is a factor on

11 holes, but sand offers its greatest challenge.

YARDAGE & PAR: The following yardages will be used in each age division:

Girls division - 5,908 yards, par 72

11-and-under division - 5,198, par 72

Boys 12-13 - 5,908 yards, par 72

Boys 14-18 divisions - 6,924 yards, par 72 FAIRWAYS & TEES: Bermuda grass

GREENS: Bentgrass

CGA CHAMPIONSHIPS AT CABARRUS CC: This is the club's first CGA championship.

Map: