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Highlands Today

Hometown Golfers Honored By Invites

BRIAN GJURGEVICH/Highlands Today

Jessica Williams of Sebring blasts out of the bunker on hole No. 10 on Saturday during the third round of the Harder Hall Women's Invitational.

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By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: January 8, 2008

SEBRING –– There's nothing like being in the heat of competition on the golf course, especially when its in your back yard.
Six ladies from the Highlands County (Jessica Williams, Melissa Doorlag, Gail Brown, Nela Hodge and Nan Reno all from Sebring and Jacqueline Hartzell of Lake Placid) competed in the 53rd annual Harder Hall Women's Invitational, which ended on Sunday.
The history and the level of talent at the prestigious event has drawn the local girls to the event year after year.
"This is my third year in the event," Williams said. "I sometimes am a fan on the course watching some of these ladies play. I always pick up little tricks when I'm out there I can use in my own game."
Williams, along with Doorlag , has been playing with the championship flighted competition, while Brown, Hodge, Reno and Hartzell have been teeing it up in the Ben Roman division.
Brown took second in the Marge Burns Flight in the Ben Roman division, three-shots behind Sue Joy-Sobota of Sarasota and Hodge was tied for third.
Doorlag was a surprise out on the course over the weekend. Not because of her consistent play, but her return after a 10-year hiatus from the game of golf.
"I'm really glad to be back," Doorlag said. "I missed competing a lot, but life intervened. I just really wanted to come out and test myself again."
The testing of one's self is one of the main reasons why most of the ladies are playing in this event –– local girls or not –– but there is so much more than just winning and losing at the tournament.
"I feel honored to play at this event," Reno said with a gleeful smile. "There's so much history with this tournament and the friendships you make this weekend can last a lifetime.
"I would love to come back again."
Williams has enjoyed her time over the weekend, but adds an addendum to her pride in being a hometown player in the worldwide field of competitors.
"I just would feel better if I was playing better," Williams said. "I don't know what it is about playing at a home course. I do so much better on the road. I just can't figure it out, but I'm glad to be here."

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