Henderson’s Edwards shares Founders lead

Victoria Sun

Wednesday, July 17, 2002 | 9:09 a.m.

The rejection letters kept coming, but they didn't deter Henderson resident Matt Edwards. They only motivated him to work harder.

After applying to play in more than six American Junior Golf Association tournaments, he was finally accepted into the Las Vegas Founders Junior, which began Tuesday at the Revere at Anthem.

Edwards' perseverance paid off as he shot par 72 to tie for the first-round lead of the 54-hole event with James Lee of Fullerton, Calif.

"It was a pretty consistent round," Edwards said. "I had four birdies and four bogeys. My short game was working. It's always that way. I only hit eight greens and I putted well. I just made the putts that I needed."

Three players are tied at 1-over 73: Jeremy Keller of Las Vegas, Denny Bae of Los Angeles and Michael McCaig of Fountain Valley, Calif.

Durango High graduate Erin Andrews, who will attend Oregon this fall, carded 6-over 78 in the girls division to trail leader Lauren Todd of Phoenix by three shots. Foothill graduate Christine Fernandez, who will attend Tulsa, was one shot back of Andrews in third.

Edwards' opening-round score was a continuation of his best golfing year ever.

After failing to gain entry to a series of AJGA events, the Coronado High senior-to-be won the 4A state individual title in May. This month, he qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur, which begins July 23 at the Atlanta Athletic Club, and tied for fifth at the Texas-Oklahoma international tournament.

"It has been unbelievable," Edwards said. "I've just practiced harder. I've worked really hard this year, unlike previous years. I've made a dedication to golf. I'm starting to work on a new swing with my new coach, so it's helping a little bit."

Tuesday's high scores reflected tough conditions, Edwards said.

"I think a good score coming in will probably be 4- or 5-under the next two days," he said.

Andrews, playing in her third Las Vegas Founders Junior, wants to put herself in position to win after a previous top finish of fifth in the event.

"It could have been a lot better," Andrews said of her 78. "It would be awesome to win a hometown tournament."