The easy part is over.
On Friday morning at 7 a.m., a 50-player field teed off at Parkview Golf Course in the? first round of the Central Illinois Women?s Golf Championship.
But with the second and third rounds of the 54-hole even at Donovan and Kellogg golf courses, respectively, many of the players found that Parkview?s conditions offered the best chance to jump ahead early.
?I think this is the course that the gals are going to score on more so than the other two,? Peoria resident Jane Seiler said. ?(The course) just played really good today. It was a beautiful day to play.?
Similar praises were sung about Parkview as each of the 13 groups returned to the clubhouse to turn in their scorecards, including two-time Peoria Women?s City winner Amy St. John and Morton product Karson Taphorn.
?It was playing really well, in great shape,? Taphorn said. ?A lot better shape than it?s been in the best summers.?
Among the 17 players who declared for championship flight, Seiler shared a three-stroke lead with Dunlap product Lexi Hammerton at 2-under 74. Even a first-round tie for the lead couldn?t satisfy Hammerton, though, who described her play as ?average?.
?I didn?t play as good as I wanted to on the front, but on the back, I was really satisfied with it,? Hammerton said. ?It might have been hole 11, I went in the creek and I didn?t think I had a chance, but I decided to hit out of it instead of taking a penalty, and I ended up getting ten feet away (from the hole).?
Last year, Metamora graduate Vanessa Philips, who won by five strokes, edged Hammerton out of the title; however, the roles are nearly reversed after the first day, with Philips six strokes backed at 80.
?I guess I just expected to come out and shoot a little better on the first stage,? Philips said after disappointedly handing in her scorecard. ?An 80 obviously isn?t bad, but I was hoping to be under 80.?
Philips said driving gave her the most trouble, especially on the par-6s, which she said are normally reachable for her. The frustration isn?t expected to continue into Saturday, though, as she plans on refocusing on shooting under 80.
Close in the chase are Donna Peterson and Deb Ferner with 77s, while Taphorn and Chris Clark sit just behind with 78s. Meanwhile, former event champion Keegan Ryan scored 10 back at 84.
The second round will be played at Donovan on Saturday morning in Peoria, but neither of the leaders seemed worried about falling after their strong first rounds.
?(Tomorrow), I?ll just try to not embarrass myself,? Seiler joked. ?No, but just to play to my ability and come out and play as well as I know I can.?
J.J. Wilson can be reached at 686-3214 or jwilson@pjstar.com.
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