Sebring's Griffin, 10, turning heads

Ten-year-old Kendall Griffin flipped on the television last fall and tuned into an LPGA event for the first time.

It was one of those crystallizing moments: There was Alexis Thompson, only a few years older than Griffin, with a share of the 36-hole lead heading into the weekend.

And then, Griffin said: "I turned to my mom and asked, 'Am I ever going to meet her?'"

Three months later, she met her idol. They both played in the 55th annual Harder Hall Women's Invitational this past week - Thompson in the championship division, Griffin the Ben Roman.

After her round Friday, Griffin looked to the first tee, where Thompson was about to tee off. She smiled and boasted: "Yeah, I'm a big fan of Alexis."

Apparently.

Griffin approached the budding superstar after Thursday's second round. She gave her a fist bump. They became Facebook friends. They exchanged phone numbers, both cell and home. And they traded e-mail addresses.

Then, as a crowd gathered around Thompson after a dazzling 69, Griffin grabbed a chair, placed it next to the 5-foot-10 phenom and stood on it.

Finally, at least for a moment, they were equals.

"I hope she remembers me," Griffin said.

Many will remember Griffin this week - but for her own accomplishments.

The fifth-grader shot rounds of 90, 86 and 91 to post a three-day total of 267. And that score, it should be noted, beat 23 amateurs.

Still, Griffin was less than enthralled.

"I haven't shot 90 in so long," she bemoaned.

The Ben Roman division was shortened to 54 holes due to inclement weather Saturday. Griffin, naturally, voted to keep playing.

She practices seven days a week and plays nine or 18 holes a day. (Thompson is e-mailing her practice schedule to Griffin, by the way.) She receives lessons from Charlotta Sorenstam - sister of LPGA Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam - at the exclusive Reunion Resort in Orlando.

So, does she ever get burned out from playing? Does she think she's overexerting herself at such a young age?

"Nope, I think it's fun," Griffin said.

Ben Roman division results

Jill Blackwood (Burlington, Iowa) defeated Pat Hughes-Gelardi in a chip-off Friday to win the weather-shortened Ben Roman division championship.

Blackwood shot rounds of 79, 84 and 77 to post a three-day total of 240, which was tied by Hughes-Gelardi (Ambler, Pa.).

In the Marge Burns flight, Sue Joy-Sobota (Sarasota) was third at 242, and Mary Lou Edwards (Palm Harbor) and Denise Callahan (Canton, Ohio) tied for fourth at 245.

In the Tish Preuss flight, Judy McCarthy (Fort Madison, Iowa) finished first with a three-round total of 253, Carrol Dethrow (Nevada, Iowa) placed second at 254, and Brenda Frye (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) was third at 261.

In the Lancy Smith flight, Clearwater's Sandra Miller shot a three-round total of 267 to finish first, Anne Kirlis (Sumter, S.C.) placed second at 268, and Amy St. John (Peoria, Iowa) was third after a 270.

And in the Carol S. Thompson flight, Shelly Barkei (Steward, Ill.) shot 287 to finish first, Linda Mason (Amherst, Va.) placed second at 288, and Charlotte Marshall (Rustburg, Va.) was third after a 293.

LOG ON

Saturday's final round results of the 55th annual Harder Hall Women's

Invitational were not available at press time. For the latest results, go to

HIGHLANDSTODAY.COM and click on Sports and be sure to check

Monday's paper for complete coverage.