Ericka Schneider, of Bradenton, captured the first round lead at the Women’s Stroke Play Championship. The Championship continues at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando through Sunday, July 8th.
Ericka Schneider fired a four-under par 68 to lead the field of by one stroke heading into the second round. Her impressive round included five birdies and only one bogey. Schneider is followed closely by the 2011 Girls Junior Player of the Year, Robbi Howard. Howard had four birdies and only one bogey leaving her trailing by one shot with a 69. Tied for third is Amy West, of Valrico, and the 2011 Junior Match Play champion Kristine Odaiyar, of Ocala, with a two-under par 70.
Cristy Vandenberg, of Jupiter, takes a two stroke lead over Barbara White, of Orlando, in the Field Division First Flight with a four-over par 76. White had two birdies throughout the round, but fell behind with five bogeys on the back nine. Susan Levin, of Jupiter, shot a 79 leaving her in third.
In the Field Division Second Flight, Pat Takacs, of Clearwater, took a one stroke lead over Debby Davis, of Apopka. Davis made three birdies throughout her round leaving her at an eleven-over par 83, but it was Takacs’s consistent play that placed her at ten-over par 82.
The Women’s Stroke Play Championship consists of 54-holes of stroke play. The Championship Division flights are determined after 36 holes of stroke play and the Field Division players are pre-flighted based upon handicap index.
Two-time defending champion, Mitsuki Katahira of Daytona Beach, shot 71-70-71--212 to win the 2011 Women's Stroke Play Championship at Oceanside Country Club in Ormond Beach. Other past champions include the 2011 Women's Amateur Champion, Paige Halpin, and past Senior and Match Play Champion, Taffy Brower.
