Seventeen year old Jaclyn Shepherd of Delafield, WI (2009) carded her best round of the season to date, a 74, and took the first round lead at the Whistling Straits Classic. Her 12 pars led this division and allow her a 2 stroke advantage over Nora Lucas of Glenview, IL (2008) who is currently in 2nd place at 76. Erin Sharpee of Green Bay, WI (2009), who led this division in birdies with 3, will start the final round in 3rd place at 78. Miss Sharpee has two previous Top 5 finishes this season. Senior Milena Savich of Carmel, IN, who just won the Yankee Trace Open, will start in 4th place at 80. Taylor Gohn of Columbus, IN (2010) and Brittany Rendell of Winnetka, IL (2008) are currently tied for 5th at 83.
Senior Sammy Bettinardi of Lemont, IL, opened the Whistling Straits Classic with a round of one over par (73) on the Irish Course to lead all scores in the Boys 16-18 division. Bettinardi, a third year FCWT player, playing in his first event of the season is looking to go out with a win! He led this division in pars with 15 and will have a three shot advantage over second year FCWT player Brett Tomfohrde of Hinsdale, IL (2009). Tomfohrde had a strong finish of T5 in this event last season and is looking to improve upon that. Brett is just one stroke ahead of a threesome who are tied for 3rd at 77: Alexander Gutesha of Greenwood Village, CO (2009), Stephen Powers of Naperville, IL (2010), who led this division in birdies with 3, and Mills Rendell of Winnetka, IL (2010). Christopher Melvin of Medfield, MA (2010) will be looking for his 5th Top 10 of the season as he starts the final round tied for 6th with Blake Waller of Des Moines, IA (2010), and 5th year FCWT player Wilson Bowen of Winnetka, IL (2008). Bowen finished 2nd in this event last season so watch for him on Sunday. Third year FCWT player Cole Childs of Holliston, MA (2010) will be going for his third Top 10 when he starts the final round tied at 79 with Dane Worley of Cedar Rapids, IA (2011).
In the Boys 13-15 division, Ross Bowen of Winnetka, IL (2010) leads a trio of players tied for 2nd by two strokes after opening with a round of 77. Michael Holevas of Elgin, IL (2012), Brendan Connolly of Castle Rock, CO (2011), who led this division in pars with 12, and Tee-K Kelly of Wheaton, IL (2012) all carded opening rounds of 79. Danny Jaklin of Deerfield, IL (2011) and Alex Scheppmann of West Des Moines, IA (2010) will begin the final round in a tie for 5th place at 84.
In the Boys 11-12 division, Raymond Knoll of Naperville, IL (2013) carded a solid round of 81 to lead by 10 strokes. Knoll, who has two second place finishes this season, will be looking for his first FCWT win on Sunday. Marc Valentine of Fond du Lac, WI (2014) will start in 2nd place followed by Drew Langan of Winnetka, IL (2013) in third. |
