Hill Leads At Harder Hall Invitational

Despite very windy conditions and getting soaked by rain on her final hole of the day, Nanette Hill managed to shoot a 2-under-par 70 to take the first round lead of the 54th annual Harder Hall Women's Invitational Golf Tournament on Wednesday.

Hill, a senior and a member of the Wake Forest University women's golf team, overcame swirling winds to shoot 35-35, which included three birdies and one bogey on the tight and demanding 6,251-yard, par 72 Harder Hall course.

"I played really consistent and solid," said Hill. "I didn't hit a lot of greens, but my short game was sharp and I was able to get up and down.

"The wind made things tough and I got soaked on the eighteenth hole, but I told myself to just stay patient if I missed some shots and I was able to chip it close to the hole and I made a bunch of short putts."

Just one stroke back at 71 is Wendi Golden, Amelia Lewis, 15-year-old Jessica Korda and Candace Schepperle.

Korda, who shot 37-34, which included three birdies and an eagle on the par 5, 17th hole, is a sophomore at Bradenton Prep and is competing in this prestigious tournament for the first time.

"A bunch of girls from Bradenton Prep came up for the tournament and I had a lot of fun today," said Korda. "It was difficult with the wind and rain, but I hit a three-iron to four feet and made the putt for the eagle on seventeen to finish strong.

"It feels good to be close to the lead, but there is a lot of golf left to play."

Schepperle, a junior golfer at Auburn University, had nines of 35-36, which included three birdies and an eagle on the 17th hole.

"I hit some solid shots, but I didn't putt as well as I would have liked," said the Tiger linkster. "My round was pretty steady and on seventeen I hit driver, eight-iron to the fringe and then chipped it in for the eagle."

Schepperle, who won the Dixie Golf Tournament last week at Heron Bay TPC in West Palm Beach, has enjoyed some success in her four years at the Harder Hall event.

"This is a great tournament with excellent competition," said Schepperle. "It's great to come to Florida this time of year and play some golf against strong players.

"I was runner-up here a few years ago and I like this course and I'm just going to try and go lower every day."

Christy Carter, Cindy LaCrosse and Whitney Neuhauser are tied at 72, while Daniela Lendl, daughter of retired tennis star Ivan Lendl, is alone at 73

Lauren Doughtie and Isabelle Lendl are tied at 74 and Sydney Crane and Sze Angel are at 75.

Clate Aydlett, Denise Callahan and Sue Joy-Sobota are tied for the lead in the Ben Roman Division, which is for handicaps 7-24, at 79.

The Harder Hall Invitational, which has attracted a field of 102 of the top female amateurs, runs though Saturday with tee times beginning at 8 a.m.

There is no charge to come out and watch the action.

For the latest results be sure to check out highlandstoday.com sports.