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Highlands Today

Pros Grab Ryder Cup Lead

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By MARK PINSON

Highlands Today

Published: November 15, 2008

SEBRING - Taking advantage of ideal scoring conditions, the professionals took the early lead over the amateurs in Saturday morning's Highlands County Ryder Cup competition on the Deer Run course at Sun 'N Lake Country Club.

The professionals lead 3 1/2 to 1 1/2 and got off to a good start in the best-ball format when Mike Lamere and Dave Schumaker defeated amateurs Frank Guglielmi and Dick Butler 5 and 3.

Pros John Dean and Andy Kesling edged Mike Moore and Mike Shawver 1-up, while Marty O'Hora and Jason Laman knocked off amateurs Gary Williams and Dan Eslinger 5 and 4.

Amateur captain Mike Browning paired up with Randy Proctor to defeat Bill Newman and Shane Ward 6 and 5 and amateurs Jim Casey and Mike Wells came from behind on the last two holes to earn a tie and a half a point against Jason Beatty and Sam Timms.

"I like our position," said Kesling, who is an assistant at Sun 'N Lake and the professional captain. "If we can play well this afternoon, we'll be in good shape for Sunday."

Saturday afternoon's five alternate-shot matches, which were being played on the Turtle Run course, were not complete at press time.

The amateurs, who lead the overall series 9-3-1, need 11 1/2 points to win the Ryder Cup, while the pro team needs 11 points to retain the prestigious trophy.

The final 12 singles matches will be played today

"We've got a great bunch of guys and everybody is giving their best," said Browning. "Our chances are just as good in the alternate-shot as they are in Sunday's singles matches.

"We're going to play hard, have a good time and let the chips fall where they may."

Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-386-5837 or mpinson@highlandstoday.com

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