CHANNEL ISLANDER HAS OPENING ONE-OVER 73

OLIVIA J-H MAKES A SO-SO START TO 

SYMETRA TOUR EVENT IN FLORIDA

Channel Islander Olivia Jordan-Higgins made a so-so start to the Symetra Tour event today, Florida's National Charity Classic at Lake Wales Country Club.
She shot a one-over-par 73 to be T27 before the end of play.
Canada's Maude-Aimee Leblanc is setting the pace with a five-under-par 67 to lead by two.

  LEADERBOARD
Par 72 Players from USA unless stated
67 Maude-Aimee Leblanc (Canada)
69 Ginger Howard, Kendall Dye

SELECTED SCORES
70 Emily Talley (T4)
73 Olivia Jordan-Higgins (England), Louise Friberg (Sweden), Laura Gonzalez-Escallon (Belgium) (T27)

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE

REPORT FROM SYMETRA TOUR WEBSITE
  
In her first Symetra Tour event of the season, Maude-Aimee Leblanc fired a 5-under-par 67 on Friday in the first-round of the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic to grab a two-stroke lead heading into the second-round. 
The Canadian’s round started as good as she could have asked for with an eagle on the par-5 tenth hole.  She birdied the 13^th hole and made the turn at 3-under. 
On the front nine, she birdied three of her first six holes.  After a bogey on the seventh hole, she concluded her round with a birdie on the par-5 ninth hole.
“I stroked the ball really well today,” said the 25-year-old Leblanc.  “It was a little windy so that was tricky and some pins were tough to get close and I was struggling a little with the speed of the greens, but I stayed patient and made some good rolls and I played well.” On her final hole, a par-5, Leblanc took advantage of the downwind and had a 5-iron into the green.  She wound up in the green side bunker, but hit a great bunker shot to end her round with a birdie. 
“I hit my bunker shot to about a foot and was able to make the putt so it was definitely a nice way to finish,” said Leblanc with a wide smile.  “I’m definitely looking forward to coming back tomorrow.” 
Leblanc has a two-stroke lead over Ginger Howard and Kendall Dye, who both shot 3-under 69. 
“It’s always nice to be in contention, that is what everybody is working to do,” said the Sherbrooke, Canada native.  “I’m going to stay with the same plan tomorrow and Sunday; I’ll be patient and I’m going to try to make some putts.”
Leblanc played in the first two LPGA events of the season.  She missed the cut at the Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic and the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open.  The event in Australia, which was held from February 12-16, was the last time Leblanc played in an event. 
"I worked on my swing and got some new clubs and that really made a big difference,” said Leblanc.  “Just been playing well for the last couple of weeks and I’m glad it showed here today.” Kendall Dye, who is currently ninth on the Volvik Race for the Card money list, continued her strong play with a 3-under-par 69 on Friday to stand in a tie for second place.
Dye birdied the first two holes she played and made four total birdies on the day. 
“It was a pretty good day, I actually got off to a shaky start, but was able to make some long par putts,” said Dye, who has seven career top-10 finishes on the Symetra Tour. “Then, I had back-to-back birdies by making a couple three-footers and I brought it on home.”
Dye, who grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma and attended the University of Oklahoma, is used to the tough conditions that players are facing at Lake Wales Country Club.
“I tried to be smart with the strong wind today and tried to stay below the hole so I could have some aggressive uphill putts.”
Howard, a Bradenton, Florida native, is also two strokes behind Leblanc.  Howard made six birdies on the day and finished at 3-under-par.  “My approach shots were really good, I was sticking everything,” said the 20-year-old Howard.  “Some of my putts let me down, but I still gave myself some chances to make birdies out there.”
Howard finished T35 at the Visit Mesa Gateway Classic at Longbow Golf Club and T66 at the last event, the Volvik Championship.
“I feel like I’m in a good spot, I knew that the other girls were going to take it low in the state of Florida,” said Howard.  “I have nothing but positive thoughts right now.”
After two events on the west coast, Howard is excited about the chance to play the next four events in the state of Florida including the Sarasota tournament, the Guardian Retirement Championship at Sara Bay.  The course is only ten minutes from her home. 
Nine players finished three shots off the lead at 2-under-par.  Amongst the players at 2-under is Vero Beach native Jackie Stoelting.
Stoelting made five birdies on the day and managed to survive a double bogey on the par-3 12^th hole. 
“I had a couple of hiccups, but overall I’m pleased with how I shot and know that since I made five birdies, I can make a lot more these next two days.”
Stoelting, who played college golf at Florida Southern College, had her husband Travis as her caddy on Friday.
“The first two events being out west, I didn’t have anybody there so it’s really comforting knowing that there are people here supporting me,” said Stoelting. “Especially with my husband on the bag, he knows my game the best, so I’m very comfortable and that just helps me relax a little bit.”
An additional five players finished the first round under par with a 1-under 71. 
Caroline Powers is in the cluster at 1-under.
“It was pretty easy, I didn’t hit many fairways, but they weren’t far off and I hit a lot of greens,” said the Bowling Green, Ohio native.  “Some sand saves helped me and I made a few putts and that was good enough.”
Although she is four strokes off the lead, Powers is keeping a positive mindset heading into Saturday’s second-round.
“Anytime you can get the first one under par it’s definitely good rolling into the weekend.”