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Heartland Women's Open Ready To Tee Off
Mark Pinson/Highlands Today
Sheila Chiarandini, right, shakes hands with Bonnie Lennox after winning last year's Heartland Women's Open on the first hole of a playoff at Highlands Ridge North.
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Published: December 5, 2008
AVON PARK - With a field featuring some of the top women golfers in the area, the Heartland Women's Open tees off on Saturday morning.
The once-popular golf tournament, which was revived last year after an 18-year hiatus, is a two-day, 36-hole, stroke-play event, with the ladies competing over the 5,800-yard, par 72 Highlands Ridge North course.
The strong field includes defending champion Sheila Chiarandini, who had rounds of 78-83-161, and defeated Bonnie Lennox with a par on the first playoff hole last year.
Chiarandini, who also won the Highlands Ridge North women's club championship last year, will have her hands full defending her title with renowned golfers Nela Hodge, Gina Brown, Nancy Reno, Nina Greene and Nancy Jankovic in the field.
"We have some strong players competing in the tournament," said Melissa Doorlag, who works at Highlands Ridge North. "The course is in great shape and will be set up fair.
"The weather is supposed to be nice and we're looking forward to a great weekend of golf."
With the size, speed and undulation of the Highlands Ridge North greens, a strong short game and a solid two days of putting will be needed to win the title.
"Most of the women keep the ball in play off the tee," Doorlag said. "Being able to get up and down around the greens and making a lot of short putts will be a key to winning."
Highlands Ridge North, well-known for its finely manicured conditions, presents the competitors with a challenge with its sloping fairways and numerous sand traps.
"This is a great golf course and one the women enjoy playing," said Doorlag. "It's not that long and if you keep the ball in play you can score well, but if you miss the fairways it can bite you in a hurry.
"This is a tournament we're looking forward to hosting and hopefully, it will be a success and continue to grow."
Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-386-5837 or mpinson@highlandstoday.com
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