Orange Blossom Tour continues at Coral Ridge

LIZ AND MICHELE STRUGGLE WITHOUT A
PRACTICE ROUND - AND A REST

Liz Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) and Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), first and third on Sunday in the South Atlantic Ladies Amateur Championship, scored 78 and 79 respectively in the qualifying round today of the Jones/Doherty women's amateur match-play golf championship at Coral Ridge Country Club near Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
None of the British and Irish players in the field were able to have a practice round over the the course on Sunday. They made a 4hr drive from the Orange Blossom Tour event at Ormond Beach, which ended on Saturday, but a thunder and lightning storm on Sunday closed the Coral Ridge CC course for play - so no practice for those from this side of the Atlantic.
Florida wonder girl 13-year-old Alexis Thompson, winner of two big events in her home state over the Festive period, obviously knows the course like the back of her hand - she shot a six-under-par 68 to spreadeagle the field.
There was a good performance by English teenager Rachel Jennings. Despite never having seen the course before and, like all the other overseas players, badly in need of a rest, she shot a one-under-par 73.
Carly Booth made her debut on the Orange Blossom Tour with a creditable 76. She is wintering in Arizona as a pupil at Red Mountain High School, Mesa.
Defending champion Marika Lendl, one of former world tennis ace Ivan's golfing daughters, was given a bye into the first round of the match-play.
Catriona (Lambert) Matthew won the Jones/Doherty tournament in 1992 when she competed as a Stirling University student.

QUALIFYING ROUND SCORES
Par 74
Players from US unless stated
68 Alexis Thompson.
73 Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton).
76 Carly Booth (Comrie).
78 Isabel Lendl, Meghan Bolger, Liz Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor), Taylor Collins, Diane Lang.
79 Daniella Lendl, Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon), Kerry Smith (Waterlooville), Kristy McLaughlin, Marie Piere Bernier.
80 Naomi Edwards (Ganton), Mayura Skowronski, Benedikte Grotvedt.
81 Rachel Connor (Manchester), Sahra Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan), Kyle Roig, Jaye Marie Green.
82 Julie Garner, Lauren Blount.
83 Stephanie Farrar (Stirling Univ), Natalie McNicholas, Lisa Schlesinger.
84 Laura Murray (Robert Gordon Univ), Sarah Carty (The Island, Dublin), Alexandra Frazier, Maggie Weder.
86 Holly Calvert (Stirling Univ).
88 Rachel Cassidy (Stirling Univ).
100 Stephanie Crolla (Heriot Watt Univ).

FIRST-ROUND TIES
Selected ties:

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
Naomi Edwards (80) v Mayura Skowronski (80),
Stephanie Farrar (83) v Diane Lang (78)
Carly Booth (76) v Lisa Scheslinger (83)
Michele Thomson (79) v Rachel Connor (81).
Isabel Lendl (79) v Laura Murray (84).
Alexis Thompson (68) v Holly Calvert (86).
Rachel Jennings (73) v Sarah Carty (84).
Sarah Hassan (81) v Marie-Piere Bernie (79).
Liz Bennett (78) v Alexandra Frazier (84).
Kerry Smith (79) v Lauren Blount (82).

SECOND FLIGHT
Stephanie Crolla (100) v Denise Martorana (89).
Bye: Rachel Cassidy.