West Florida Golf Tour: Amateurs get a chance of a lifetime

Logo provided by the WFGT.

The West Florida Golf Tour's amateur branch concluded its season at the end of April.

However, the top three on the money list were given an incredible golfing experience: a round of golf with two-time major champion Tony Jacklin at The Concession Golf Club in East Manatee.

Tony Baccari, a scratch golfer, joined Matt Hayes (5-handicapper) and John Vaccaro (scratch) to round out the foursome with Jacklin, a World Golf Hall of Fame member.

To read more about this story, check out tomorrow's Bradenton Herald.

United States Women's Open: Doris Chen medals

Bradenton's Doris Chen, a rising sophomore at the University of Southern California and IMG Academies alum, was the medalist with a 2-under par 142 total in the 36-hole United States Women's Open sectional qualifier at The Oaks Club.

Other locals weren't as fortunate, as just three players advanced to Blackwolf Run, site of July's U.S. Women's Open in Koehler, Wisc.

The most notable name to miss was Jodi Ewart. The Manatee County resident has played well on the LPGA Tour this season, posting two top 10 finishes.

However, a morning round of 79 doomed her chances.

Ewart, an England native, returned an afternoon round of 73, though.

Amateur Christina Miller, a University of South Florida standout, shot 79-76--155 to miss by seven shots.

For more on this story, check out tomorrow's Bradenton Herald.

To see the full results, click here.

United States Women's Open: Sectional moved to Tuesday

The United States Women's Open sectional qualifier at The Oaks Club in Osprey is on Tuesday.

Originally, it was listed for Monday.

The 36-hole event provides direct entry into the U.S. Women's Open, which is scheduled for July 5-8 at Blackwolf Run in Koehler, Wisc. Manatee County resident Jodi Ewart has notched two top 10 finishes on the LPGA Tour this season en route to more than $100,000 in earnings.

Nelly Korda, the younger sister to phenom Jessica, is scheduled to compete as well.

There are a host of other players in the field with ties to Manatee County.

Check back here tomorrow for a quick hit on who progressed.

United States Women's Open: Sectional pairings set for The Oaks

The pairings are set for Monday's United States Women's Open sectional qualifier at The Oaks Club in Osprey.

The field includes several area players, including Manatee County resident Jodi Ewart, Jessica Korda's younger sister Nelly and USF standout Christina Miller to name a few.

For the full pairings, click here.

Unlike the edition for the men, there is only qualifying stage for the Women's Open. And the sectional round is 36 holes in one day, which is set for Memorial Day.

LPGA Tour: Jodi Ewart fares well at Match Play

Local resident Jodi Ewart didn't win this past week's Sybase Match Play Championship, but she performed well in the LPGA Tour event.

Ewart polished off two victories, before finishing tied for 9th - losing in the third round. Ewart, seeded No. 62 in the 64-player bracketed tournament, lost to eventual champion Azahara Munoz 2-and-1.

She earned $18,750 for the top 10 finish.

Also in the field was Bradenton's Jessica Korda, who won one match before falling in the second round.

Paula Creamer, a former IMG Academies standout, lost her opening round match.

Ladies European Tour: Jaclyn Sweeney makes cut in Turkey on the number

Bradenton resident Jaclyn Sweeney fired a second round 76 to finish with a 153 total at the halfway stage of the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open.

That 7-over par total was just good enough to earn Sweeney a payday on the Ladies European Tour as she made the cut on the number.

Players at 8-over par or worse did not advance to weekend play.

Christel Boeljon and Ursula Wikstrom share the 36-hole lead with 3-under par 143s.

Sweeney earned her 2012 LET card after last season's performance, but said at the inaugural Sara Bay Classic that she would focus her attention this year on the Symetra Tour, which provides direct access to the LPGA Tour.

Suncoast Ladies Series: Ginger Howard ties for seventh

Ginger Howard practices during last fall's LPGA Tour Q-School stage at the Plantation Golf & Country Club in Venice. Jason Dill/jdill@bradenton.com

 
Bradenton's Ginger Howard rebounded from a second round 78 to fire a final round 75 in the Suncoast Ladies Series event at Grande Pines Resort in Orlando on Thursday.

The round, though, only gave her a tie for seventh place after she began the 54-hole tournament sharing the lead with eventual champion Maria Hjorth.

However, Howard's 6-over par tournament total earned her $600 as just 12 players earned paydays in the women's mini-tour event.

Bradenton resident Rachel Connor did not complete the three-day tournament as she withdrew following a 76-82--158 total through 36 holes.