The Orange Blossom Tour began Wednesday at the 59th Harder Hall Invitational in Sebring, FL. The victor was not affected by the cold, rain, and challenging winds that she faced all week. Four-time USGA champion, Meghan Stasi of Oakland Park, claimed the championship title by an outstanding margin of eight shots.
Stasi knew she would face tough, and young, competition heading in to the week; but as she proved, age does not matter. Starting the week with a one-over-par 73, she followed it with consistent rounds of 72 and 74 on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Stasi saved her best round for last, when she fired her two-under-par 70 giving her a championship total of one-over-par 289. With an eight shot win over Hannah Pietila of Brighton, MI and fellow Floridian Emmy Martin of Odessa, Stasi’s 2014 season is off to a great start. She recently placed in the top 10 at the Dixie Women’s Amateur, finishing again at one-over-par after four days.
Emmy Martin (pictured left) stayed close behind Stasi all week. The TCU commit finished tied for second with consistent rounds of 74-76-73-73, for a nine-over-par 297. Other Florida notables include Isabelle Lendl of Part St. Lucie (304), Hally Leadbetter of Bradenton (307), August Kim (308), Cristina McQuiston of Sarasota (310), Laura Hendee of Tampa (311), Taylor Paige Lyle (311), and Kailey Walsh (312).
Next on the Orange Blossom Tour is the 86th South Atlantic Amateur, or better known as the SALLY, at Oceanside Country Club in Ormond Beach. Towards the end of January, Coral Ridge Country Club will host the third leg of the tour, the Ione D. Jones/Doherty Championship, and February 17-18 the FSGA will conduct the Women’s International Four-Ball Championship at The Wanderers Club in Wellington.
