LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. - The 2023 Women’s Net Championship kicked off Saturday at Lakewood National Golf Club with eighty-seven women fighting it out to claim the Middle and Forward overall championship.
Middle Division
Opening her championship with an impressive 4-under par 68, Xiaolin Jones picked right up where she left off and found herself in a tie for first and in position to defend her Women’s Net title. Jones’s day was highlighted by six net birdies, and a net eagle. Also in a tie for first was Bradenton native Heidi Phillips. Phillips matched Jones by carding six net birdies on her opening round. The duo concluded the day with a two shot lead over the nearest competitors.
Round two was nothing short of a battle. Throughout the day there were several leaderboard changes as conditions were prime for scoring. Phillips started round two with a shaky front nine 9-over par, 45. A net birdie on 11 was the jump start Phillips needed. Finishing out her remaining seven holes at net even, Phillips found herself in the lead and claiming a one-shot victory over the field.
Making a move up the leaderboard in round two was Sokhary Pavese. Pavese began her championship with an excellent round of one-under par, 71. The Bradenton native played well in round two, carding a one-over par 73 which propelled Pavese up the leaderboard for a second place finish.
Rounding out the top three was Elizabeth Breza. Breza also started her championship out strong with an opening round 70, which put Breza in a tie for third place. With an up and down front nine, Breza turned things around on the back nine of her second day, carding four birdies. This was enough for Breza to maintain her third place position.
Forward Division
Round one also saw a battle for first in the Forward division. Patricia Bass jumped out to an early lead after an opening round three under par, 69. Only one shot behind was Isabel Peres and Lynda Dao-Vo who each carded opening rounds of 70. Peres played consistently during her opening round carding three net birdies and one lone bogey.
Round two found Bass ready to take charge of the tournament. With a birdie on her opening hole, Bass quickly jumped out to a commanding lead. She picked up four additional birdies in route to a final round 73, and a three shot victory in the Forward division.
With an opening round one-under 73, Jennifer Kuhn, a Trinity native bounded up the leaderboard in round two. Coming in with a final round 72, Kuhn vaulted up the leaderboard five spots for a second place finish.
Also making massive moves in round two was Fran Stock. Stock began her day in ninth place, but after three birdies and an eagle, Stock worked her way up six spot on the leaderboard and claimed a third place finish in the Forward division.
Middle Flight
1. Heidi Phillips – 68-75—143
2. Sokhary Pavese 71-73—144
3. Elizabeth Breza – 70-74—144
Middle First Flight
1. Amanda Kluynski – 71-75—146
2. Kimberly Byle – 77-70—147
3. Janet Van Slyke – 79-70—149
Forward Flight
1. Fran Stock – 76-72—148
2. Rita West – 72-76-148
3. Isabel Peres – 70-79—149
Forward First Flight
1. Patricia Bass – 69-73—142
2. Jennifer Kuhn – 73-72-145
3. Christine Lovizio – 78-71—149
