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Hundreds of golfers ages 10-18 will travel from throughout the world to play in the annual tournament, now in its 13th year at PGA National. Golfers ages 10-15 will play July 26-28 in three age divisions each for boys and girls: 10-11, 12-13 and 14-15. The older golfers, ages 16-18, will have their turn July 31-Aug. 3. The tournament will showcase some of the most talented young players in the world, many of whom could be the leading collegiate and professional golfers of tomorrow.

The Optimist truly is an international event, with 625 players representing 40 states, six Canadian provinces and 30 other nations. Quite a few

recognizable names are past champions of the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships, including Beth Bauer, Jonathan Byrd, Bubba Dickerson, Brittany Lincicome, Jeff Overton, Stacy Prammanasudh and Jennifer Rosales. A number of other well-known professional golfers have participated in Optimist-sponsored championships such as Amy Alcott, John Daly, Ernie Els, Justin Leonard, Nancy Lopez, Davis Love III, Michelle McGann, Phil Mickelson, Lorena Ochoa, Nick Price, David Toms and Tiger Woods.

The junior golfers' progress can be tracked online at www.optimist.org/golf. Scores and tee times will be updated daily, and general photos and news updates about activities on and off the golf course will be available throughout the tournament.

On Monday, Marchetti placed third in a NEPGA Junior Tour Boys 12-13 division event at the Gardner Municipal GC, shooting a 12-over par 83. Last Tuesday at the Townsend Ridge CC, Marchetti tied for fourth with a 10-over-par 80.