Today was a good day for golf. With the flag pins replaced with mini American flags to remember those we lost eight years ago, the mood was quiet yet upbeat amongst the golfers and the crowd. The weather was good, the wind minimal, and the course in excellent form. And though it was a Friday and technically still a work day, heaps of onlookers and fans showed up to cheer on their favorite players.
We had the usual herd of eager Michelle Wie fans cheering her on as she was paired with Natalie Gulbis and Brittany Lincicome. (Michelle finished tied for 21st at 2-under-par 69.) While others had local fans from long before they ever decided to turn pro. Though Team VTech’s Karen Stupples graduated from Florida State University, before she transfered she spent a year in Arkansas. During that year, Karen made an indelible impression on the people she met and they came out to support her today. One of them just happened to be her old coach, Coach Abel. (Karen finished in a five way tie for 4th at 4-under-par 67.)
As the day continued, it definitely felt like summer with the humidity and temperatures in the low 80’s, but as the cooling winds blew through the trees on the Pinnacle Golf Course, you could feel a change coming. Though the course was a vibrant shade of green, you couldn’t ignore the yellowing leaves scattered upon the ground. Two more months and the season will be over. But let’s not think about that, let’s focus on the golf.
At the end of the day, we find Germany’s Sandra Gal #1!, for now anyway. With a score of 7-under-par 64, she takes the lead with Song-Hee Kim a stroke behind. It was a day for ups and downs in scoring. A very frustrated Brittany Lincicome finished 6-over-par, while many top players are 1-over-par or higher. Tomorrow, 145 of the world’s best players will try again, hoping to make it to Sunday’s final round and a chance to win the P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship and that $1.8 million purse. Last year’s defending champion Seon Hwa Lee faced a little difficulty and showed some frustration as she finished her day tied for 105th at 3-over-par 74. Team VTech’s Alena Sharp is T37 at 1-under-par, Amy Hung and Becky Morgan are 1-over-par and Diana D’Alessio is T138 at 6-over-par 77.
So let’s make a prayer to the putting gods to help our girls do their best and hopefully, those thundershowers that are suppose to show up around noon will decide to take the weekend off and give our girls some good golf weather.
Here’s to hoping for a dry tomorrow.