Schepperle Swings Into Lead

It may be early in the golf season, but Candace Schepperle is in midseason form.

The Auburn University junior has been the model of consistency this week and after Friday's 2-under-par 70, she has a two-shot lead in the 54th annual Harder Hall Women's Invitational Golf Tournament.

Schepperle is at 6-under 210 after rounds of 71 on Wednesday and 69 on Thursday over the tight and demanding 6,151-yard, par 72 Harder Hall course.

"I felt comfortable and relaxed," said Schepperle. "I was in my element and I just tried to stay steady and play my own game.

"I've been hitting the ball solid all week, but I made a couple of mistakes late in the round and I'm not happy about that."

Amelia Lewis, who was the second-round leader, is in second place at 212 after shooting a 73 in Friday's ideal scoring conditions.

"I hit the ball close on the front side, but I couldn't get any putts to fall," said the 17-year-old Lewis. "It was frustrating and then I missed a couple of greens on the back nine and couldn't get up and down.

"It was a boring round and I never really got anything going."

Holly Clyburn and Cindy LaCrosse are tied at 214 and Whitney Neuhauser is at 215.

Jessica Korda is at 216 and Alexandra Bodemann, Meghan Bolger and Wendi Golden are at 219.

With 18 holes remaining to play in the prestigious tournament, all of these players have the talent and ability to shoot a low score and come-from-behind to claim the coveted trophy.

Schepperle, who won last week's Dixie Tournament at Heron Bay TPC in West Palm Beach, and finished second here in 2007, hopes to maintain her consistent play.

"I'm excited about contending for the title, but I have a lot of room for improvement," said the Tiger linkster. "This is a very prestigious tournament with a lot of great champions, and it would mean a lot to win here.

"But I just have to stay focused, play my game and see what happens "

Lewis, who is a senior at Jacksonville-Bolles High School, is enjoying her first time competing in the Harder Hall Invitational.

"This is a great tournament and it's different from high school events because the course is longer and there are spectators," Lewis said. "It's also more intense because I'm competing against women and college golfers.

"It's a learning experience for me, and I'm just going to go out and play my best."

Laura Murray leads the First Flight with a 234, while Rachel Cassidy is second at 235 and Kristy McLaughlin is at 237.

The Second Flight leader is Tama Calabaugh with a 244, while Mayura Skowronski is in second at 246 and Carol Martin and Dianne Yelovich are tied at 247.

Evelyn Byrd Blackmon and Cynthia Friend are tied for first in the Third Flight at 264, while Sandra Jackson and Mindy Smith are at 265.

In the Ben Roman Division, which is for handicaps 7-24, Clate Aydlett and Sue Joy-Sobota are tied for the lead in the Marge Burns Flight with a 237, while Denise Callahan is at 239.

In the Trish Pruess Flight, Dollie Watson leads at 267, while Helen Ferneyhough is at 270 and Phyliss Reeves is at 272.

In the Lancy Smith Flight, Margaret Leigh is first with a 285, while Sue Ford is second at 286 and Claire Carruth is third at 292.

Saturday's final round was not complete at press time.

For up-to-date results check out highlandstoday.com/sports. For complete story and pictures of the final round, see Monday's Highlands Today sports section.