TOURNAMENT RECAPS

* IJGT at Crystal Springs Golf and Spa Resort

Eric LeFante held his lead April 27 at the IJGT's event at Crystal Springs Golf and Spa Resort. LeFante closed with 70 for a 2-over 145 total and two-stroke victory over Scott Chisolm and Billy Hanes.

Chisolm and Hanes carded 74 and 75, respectively, on the Ballyowen Course for 147 totals.

In the boys 13-15 division, John Murphy followed an opening 69 with 75 to win by two strokes. William Miller had rounds of 72-74 to finish second.

Marlowe Boukis rallied from three strokes back to win the girls 15-19 division. Boukis' even-par 72 boosted her past Kasi Lee, whose 77 dropped her to second place.

Jaclyn Sweeney won the girls 11-14 division carding rounds of 84-80 for a 164 total. Cory Siegfried came from behind to win the boys 11-12 division with rounds of 84-78.
- For complete results, visit www.golfweek.com/amateur/

FROM ARIZONA TO AUSTRALIA:
FRANCIS TO PLAY AUSSIE OPEN

One of the world's best junior golfers is making news again, this time halfway around the world.

The Australian Golf Union announced April 16 that Philip Francis of Scottsdale, Ariz., has accepted an invitation to compete in the Australian Open in November. Francis will be the youngest player to ever compete in the event.
- For more, visit www.golfweek.com/articles/2003/juniorgolf/boys/32778.asp

NEWS AND NOTES

* Sixteen-year-old junior standout Paula Creamer will take a couple of impressive victory streaks with her when she makes her LPGA debut this weekend (May 8-11) at the Asahi Ryokuken International Championship in North Augusta, S.C.

''It's what I have wanted to do my whole life, be on the LPGA, and now I have the chance to see what it is like,'' said Creamer, who is the top-ranked junior in the Golfweek/Titleist Performance Index.
- For more, visit www.golfweek.com/articles/2003/juniorgolf/girls/32788.asp

* Short shots: Jason Cassidy carded a 12-under-par 58 April 22 to tie the course record (from the white tees) at the Costa Mesa (Calif.) Country Club's Linda course. Cassidy shot 29-29 and needed just 26 putts. Cassidy putted for eagle six times on the back nine. . . . Mark Harrell of Hazlehurst, Ga., finished with a 7-under 137 total, while Ashley Medders of Alma, Ga., was at 2 over to win their divisions at the SJGT Laura Walker Junior Classic. . . . The deadline for the Chrysler AJGA Boys Invitational and the Rolex Girls Junior Championship is May 10. The Justin Leonard/Deloitte & Touche Junior Team Championship application deadline has been extended to May 6. The final tournament format will be announced later this week.

PLAYER TO WATCH
Name: Julie Bartholomew
Age: 17
Golfweek/Titleist Ranking: Not ranked
Residence: Marietta, Ga.
The Skinny: Bartholomew started playing golf five years ago at the age of 12.

''My dad (Bruce) introduced me to the game. I would go out and play with him,'' Bartholomew said.

Bartholomew recently finished tied for 11th at the AJGA's TaylorMade-adidas Golf Junior at Chateau Elan and last season at the Henry-Griffitts Rome Junior Classic she finished fourth.

''I shot 69 in the first round of Rome last year and I have done that two times,'' Bartholomew said.

Outside of golf, Bartholomew enjoys playing basketball, being active and hanging out with her friends. She also carries a 4.19 GPA.

''When I am not playing golf I try to concentrate on (school),'' said Bartholomew, whose favorite players are Kelli Kuehne and Phil Mickelson. ''I like Kelli because she is short like me and Phil because he is such a nice guy.''

THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE

FCWT
May 2-4 -- FCWT Eastern Regional, Lake Nona, Orlando, Fla.
May 2-4 -- FCWT Central Regional, MSU, E. Lansing, Mich.
May 2-4 -- FCWT Western Regional, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M.

IJGT
May 2-4 -- The Concord, Liberty, N.Y.
May 2-4 -- Sunriver Resort, Sunriver, Ore.

RECRUITING CENTRAL
The most important part of the recruiting and college selection process is the campus visit.

Both prospective student-athletes and regular students should check out dorms and other housing, admissions, courses of study and campus layout. Overall, potential students should get a general feel for the atmosphere of the campus. This makes it important to make visits while school is in session if possible.

Incoming golfers not only need to see some of the school's general athletic facilities and staff but must also learn the distance and mode of transportation to the golf courses and practice areas. Availability of the practice facilities and access to golf courses also are of primary importance. Be sure to question coaches and current players if you can.

- For more college recruiting information, visit the Ping American College Golf Guide at www.collegegolf.com/.

THIS WEEK IN GOLFWEEK
Check the May 3 issue of Golfweek for our annual look at amateur golf.

POLL QUESTION
The U.S. Golf Association granted past champions Hale Irwin, Tom Kite and Tom Watson special exemptions into the 2003 U.S. Open. Who will finish the highest?

Have an interesting junior note to report, or know an interesting junior we can profile? E-mail Golfweek scoreboard editor Graham Elliott at gelliott@golfweek.com.

Have a question about the Golfweek/Titleist Performance Index? E-mail rankings@golfweek.com.