The 2013 Harder Hall Invitational got off to a slow start with fog delaying Thursday's first round. However, Erica Popson, of Davenport, was not affected as she claimed the title of the 58th Harder Hall Invitational on Sunday at Harder Hall Golf Club in Sebring, FL.
Popson fired rounds of 71-70-73-68--282 to finish 6-under par and one shot ahead of 13 year-old Mika Liu, of Bradenton. Popson was the 2009 Florida Girls’ Junior Player-of-the-Year and is an All-American at Tennessee where she will be completing her final semester of her senior year this spring. She plans to turn pro after the NCAA Championship.
Heading into the final round two back from Liu, Popson gained a one-shot lead on the 11th hole when Liu bogeyed and Popson birdied. She again birdied the par-4 13th to expand her lead to two, but Popson’s experience over Liu really showed when she drained an 8-foot birdie putt on the final hole to win by one stroke.
Other notable Florida participants include: Yueer Cindy Feng of Orlando (7th - 289 total), Sierra Brooks of Sorrento (T13th - 296 total), Senior Medalist Mary Jane Hiestand of Naples (T15th - 297 total), and Sammi Lee of Winter Park (T15th - 297 total).
The Harder Hall Invitational is the first Championship of the Orange Blossom Tour that also includes the South Atlantic Amateur (SALLY), the Ione D. Jones/Doherty Championship, and the Women’s International Four-Ball Championship, all carrying a tremendous amount of history and prestige.
Click here for complete Championship results.
