GAINESVILLE — Matthew Cleary from Dalton shot an opening round 75 and holds a slim 1-stroke lead over Gainesville's Brody Simmons after the first round of the 2016 Rudolph Junior Classic held on Monday at Chattahoochee Golf Course. The pair was part of 63 area junior golfers that are competing in the annual 36-hole junior tournament.
Part of a group of three tied for third after rounds of 78 is fellow Red Elephant Ryan Hogan. Chris Dennis of Alpharetta and Wesley Heston of Atlanta also shot a 78.
In the 14-15 age division, Brandon Cho from Suwanee shot a 75 and leads by a shot over Jack Vajda from Canton. Two shots back and tied for third are Jonathon Tark of Suwanee and Will Stakel of Peachtree Corners.
Future Red Elephant Sam Patterson fired a 75 and leads the 10-13 age division by a single stroke over Flowery Branch's Ryan Davidson (76). Alone in 3rd is David Hughes (82) from Dawsonville.
Alison Crenshaw from Suwanee leads the girls 12-18 division by 13 strokes. Crenshaw carded an opening round 81. Jefferson's Caroline Martin and Emma Meadows of Watkinsville are tied for second with 94.
In the girls 11 and under age group Zoey Cho from Suwanee shot 90 to lead by 12 strokes over Pearl Hughes (102) from Dawsonville.
The final round will tee off Tuesday morning at 11:30 a.m.
