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Lewis Seizes 1-Shot Lead At Harder Hall Invite

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

Carol Semple Thompson, who is the chairman of the tournament, chips up to the seventh green during Thursday's second round of the 54th annual Harder Hall Women's Invitational Golf Tournament.

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By MARK PINSON

Highlands Today

Published: January 9, 2009

Updated:

SEBRING - Amelia Lewis is making quite an impression in her first appearance in the 54th annual Harder Hall Women's Invitational Golf Tournament.

The 17-year-old Lewis, a member of the Jacksonville Bolles High School golf team, took advantage of ideal scoring conditions to shoot a 4-under-par 68 in Thursday's second round to take the halfway lead of the 72-hole tournament.

Lewis shot a 71 in Wednesday's windy and wet conditions for a two-day total of 139, which leads Auburn University junior Candace Schepperle, who is one shot back at 140 after rounds of 71-69.

"My putting was really good today," said Lewis. "I missed a few greens, but I was able to get up and down when I had to."

Lewis, who started on the back nine Thursday, reeled off birdies on holes 12, 16 and 17 to make the turn at 33 and the high school linkster closed with two bogeys and four birdies for her 68.

"I hit the ball solid the first nine and then I bogeyed one and two and I was freaking out because those are the two easiest holes on the front side," Lewis said. "But I was able to regroup and finish strong.

"I wanted to shoot as low as possible because I knew Candace would play well and I wanted to stay as close as possible to her."

Schepperle, who is competing in this prestigious event for the fourth time, began play on the front side on Thursday and had nines of 33-36, which included five birdies.

"I played fairly steady today," said Schepperle. "I birdied the first two holes to get off to a great start and then I made a dumb bogey on number eight.

"I played lights out on the back nine, but I didn't make any putts."

Schepperle likes the Harder Hall course and says it suits her game.

"You have to hit the ball straight to score well on this course and I'm a pretty solid ball striker," said the Tiger golfer. "It's just a matter of getting used to the speed of the greens and hitting the ball harder and taking the break out of the putts.

"Hitting it straight isn't an issue it's getting the ball in the hole."

Whitney Neuhauser is alone in third place at 141, while Cindy LaCrosse is fourth with a 143.

First-round leader Nannette Hill, a senior at Wake Forest, is at 145 along with Holly Clyburn, who had Thursday's low round of the day with a 5 under 67.

Daniela Lendl is at 146, while Christy Carter and 15-year-old Jessica Korda are in at 147.

With 36 holes still to play, Lewis is trying to stay focused on the task at hand.

"This is a big tournament with a lot of good players," said Lewis. "I like this course because it suits my game and I love the speed of the greens.

"I'm just trying to stay focused and my goal is to go as low as possible each day."

Laura Murray leads the First Flight with a two-day score of 157, while Holly Calvert and Alyssa Randolph are tied for second at 158.

Laura Carson and Paula Fitzpatrick are tied for the lead in the Second Flight at 166, while Tama Caldabaugh is second with a 167.

Tied for the lead in the Third Flight are Evelyn Byrd Blackmon and Mindy Smith at 176, while Cynthia Friend is in second at 177.

In the Ben Roman Division, which is for handicaps 7-24, Clate Aydlett is in first place with a 155, while Nancy Jankovic and Sue Joy-Sobota are at 158.

The tournament continues through Saturday and there is no charge to watch the action.

For up to date results, be sure to check out highlandstoday.com/sports.

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

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