August 13, 2008 -- MAINEVILLE, Ohio - A perfect day in Southern Ohio was the ideal setting for T.J. Vogel of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as he fired an opening round six-under-par 66 and grabbed a one-stroke lead in the boys' division at the 33rd Junior PGA Championship at TPC River's Bend in Maineville, Ohio.

Vogel, who played only one practice round before play began, carded eight birdies and only two bogeys on the day.

"Pretty much everything went right, especially my putting," said Vogel, who is playing in his first Junior PGA Championship. "I drove the ball really well off the tee also to be honest. I missed a few fairways but when I did I made a few birdies even from the rough. I am just comfortable at this place."

Vogel admitted that making this year's Junior Ryder Cup team in September added to the pressure of playing well.

"It is an honor to represent your country and junior golf and play with the best and against the best from Europe," said Vogel. "I want to make that team."

Vogel has a one-stroke advantage over Clark Fry of Manhattan, Kan., who won the 2007 Callaway Golf PGA Junior series event at Yankee Hill. Cody Martin Union, Ky., Tyler McCumber of Ponte Vedra, Fla. and Anthony Paolucci of Dallas, Texas, who finished in seventh place last year, are two-strokes back and tied for third overall.

Paolucci is confident he can build on last year's success.

"If I can hit the fairways on this course, which is not easy to do, I can score," said Paolucci, who is playing in his third Junior PGA Championship. "I love playing in this Championship and I also have a goal of making this year's Junior Ryder Cup team no matter what.."

Danielle Frasier of Encinitas, Calif. leads a star-studded girls' division after firing a 4-under-par 68 in her opening round. Frasier is coming off a two-stroke victory last week at the Emerson Junior Golf Classic at Carlton Oaks Country Club in Santee, Calif.

"I shot a good score today, and I really put a lot of good swings on the ball, but I want to go out tomorrow and forget about it and keep it going for all four rounds," said Frasier, who is also playing in her first Junior PGA Championship. "I want to walk away from this week and feel good about my game."

Frasier played a near flawless round of golf, carding six birdies and only two bogeys in her opening round.

"I am playing pretty confident. I have been playing for five weeks straight this summer and this is my sixth week in a row and each week I seem to be getting better," said Frasier. "I hit some really close approach shots which boosted my confidence out there today."

Katie Sylvan of San Diego, Calif., shot an opening round 69 to remain one-stroke back of Frasier. Karen Chung of Livingston, N.J., Erynne Lee of Siverdale, Wash., and Sarah Brown of Phillipsburg, N.J. are tied for third, two-strokes back.

Alexis Thompson of Coral Springs, Fla., last year's champion, is tied for 12th place after an opening round 74.

"My putting on the front nine was bad. There were some easy holes that I could have birdied and I did not," said Thompson, who is already competing in her third Junior PGA Championship at the age of 13. "I started to putt better on my back nine and just hit the ball better overall. I am confident going into the weekend and I am going to try and shoot under par the rest of the week."

Begun in 1976, The Junior PGA Championship has traditionally produced unforgettable golf performances and brings together the best junior golfers from around the country to compete for the Jack Nicklaus Trophy in the boys' division and the Patty Berg Trophy in the girls' division.

The Championship has been a stepping stone for competitors to either collegiate or Tour professional careers. The list of past Champions includes some of the most prominent current Tour professionals: Billy Andrade (1981), Billy Mayfair (1982), 2001 PGA Champion David Toms (1984), Sean O'Hair (1998), reigning U.S. Women's Open Champion In-Bee Park (2001, -02), reigning Masters Champion Trevor Immelman (1996), Grace Park (1996) and 2007 LPGA Rookie of the Year Angela Park (2004).

Golf Channel will present a one-hour highlight show from the Junior PGA Championship beginning Oct. 27, at 7:00 p.m. EDT with re-airings on Nov. 24 at 1:30 p.m. and Dec. 11, at 4:00 p.m.

Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold; to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $76 billion golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.

Contact: Randy Stutzman

The PGA of America

Aug. 13, 2008

561/809-8609

rstutzman@pgahq.com