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Highlands Today

Schepperle Cruises To Harder Hall Title

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By MARK PINSON Highlands Today

Published: January 12, 2009

SEBRING - Candace Schepperle insisted all week that she hadn't played her best golf, in spite of the fact that she was leading the 54th annual Harder Hall Women's Invitational Golf Tournament heading into Saturday's final round.

The Auburn University junior obviously knows her game after shooting a course-record 7-under-par 65 for a four-day total of 13 under 275.

Schepperle, who won last week's Dixie Tournament in West Palm Beach and was runner-up in the Harder Hall Invitational in 2007, finished a distant seven shots ahead of 17-year-old Amelia Lewis and University of Louisville senior Cindy LaCrosse, who came in at 282.

"I'm so excited to win this tournament," said Schepperle. "Today was the round I've been waiting for all week.

"I'm really happy with the way I played and I finally got some putts to fall."

Schepperle had a two-shot lead over Lewis and a four-shot advantage over LaCrosse and Holly Clyburn of England heading into the final 18 holes.

The Tiger golfer reeled off birdies on the first two holes and then birdied holes six, seven and eight to make the turn at 31.

Lewis double-bogeyed the par 3 ninth hole, and heading to the back nine, Schepperle enjoyed a commanding seven-shot lead.

"I wasn't going to back off and play safe the final nine," said Schepperle. "I didn't want to stop and I wanted at least four more birdies."

The Auburn linkster managed two birdies for a 34 and a tournament course record of 65.

"Everything was better today and I hit some key wedge shots close and made a bunch of putts," said Schepperle. "My goal was to win this tournament and it means so much to be able to accomplish that.

"This is my biggest win and I've waited for this kind of recognition for a while and to see my name on the trophy is great."

Lewis, who was playing in her first Harder Hall Invitational, led after the second round and shot a final round 70, despite the double-bogey on the ninth hole.

"My irons were a little off today," said the Jacksonville Bolles High School senior. "Candace played great and I learned a lot playing with more experienced golfers.

"It was a great learning experience and I had a great time and I'm proud of the way I handled the pressure of playing in the final foursome."

LaCrosse, who is from Tampa, finished with a 68 and had a birdie putt on the final hole just miss for solo second place.

"I played well and putted real well,' said the Cardinal golfer. "Candace played great and nobody was going to catch her so I just tried to stay focused and make some birdies.

"This was my first time here and I had a lot of fun and the tournament was everything I had heard it would be."

The First Flight was won by Rachel Cassidy with a 309, Jillian Brodd placed second at 313 and Laura Murray took third with a 314.

Tama Calabaugh won the Second Flight with a 322, while Carol Martin placed second at 326 after a match of cards with Mayura Skowronski.

Sandra Jackson won the Third Flight with a 344, Cynthia Friend came in second at 348 and Evelyn Byrd Blackmon finished third at 349.

The Marge Burns Flight was won by Sue Joy-Sobota with a 315, while Clate Aydlett placed second at 317 after a match of cards with Sebring's Nela Hodge.

Dollie Watson won the Tish Preuss Flight with a 350, Phyliss Reeves came in second at 359 and Helen Ferneyhough finished third at 365.

The Lancy Smith Flight was won by Margaret Leigh with a 377, Sue Ford placed second at 380 and Midge Nolan came in third at 389.

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

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