Sports

Americus’ Fowler leads field of locals

• Kathryn Fowler’s 73 at the Georgia Amateur is good enough for third place overall after Day 1.

Derek Barichello

ALBANY — Americus’ Kathryn Fowler demonstrated Mariah Stackhouse was not the only golfer Tuesday playing above her years.

The 17-year old Fowler, who posted a 73 in the opening round at the Georgia State Women’s Amateur Championship at Stonebridge Golf & Country Club, is tied for third place with Tess Fordham, and in contention just two strokes behind leader Stackhouse.

And if it were not for a few bad holes, it could be the other way around.

Fowler, who recorded three birdies on the day, bogeyed No. 5 and double bogeyed No. 8 — which played as Fowler’s back nine — before turning in her scorecard.

“That was a hiccup,” said Fowler, who fired a 69 on July 15 at the Albany Junior Open at Stonebridge. “I hit it well all day but failed to get up-and-down (on those holes).”

Still, on a day when Fowler saved par with a 28-footer on the front nine, she was not about to let a few bad holes ruin her outlook.

“I feel really comfortable for the next two days,” said Fowler, who is the reigning Herald Player of the Year for girls golf. “I don’t let (bad holes) bother me. I used to get upset after a bad hole, but I learned you can’t play golf that way.”

Defending champion Laura Coble, who finished in fifth after Day 1 with a 75,was concerned this might happen.

Coble told The Herald last week as she geared up for her sixth crown — which would tie her for the most with Janet Olp— that she was worried about the talented young golfers in the tournament.

“It’s the future of the game,” Coble said. “I’m excited to see them, but I know from the first day that I’m going to have to raise my game if I want to stick around (with them).”

Coble will get a close look at that youthful talent again today.

Just like Tuesday, Coble will tee off with Stackhouse at 9:39 a.m. as Fowler will also join them in their group.

Also, Sherwood’s Kelly Pearce, who is playing in the championship flight, struggled on Day 1 with an 88 and sits in a tie for 31st place.

LOCAL FLAVOR

Albany’s Debbie DeVane does not have to wait until flight designations (determined by score) are given at the end of today’s second round to see where she stands.; her name sits atop every golfer who teed off from the intermediate green tees.

Her first-round 80 is tied with Cheryl Drewer from Newnan for the best score outside of the championship flight, while Albany’s Helen Kirbo sits all alone in third place after an 82.

“I hit it well but I missed five four-foot putts,” said DeVane, who finished as the runner-up in the women’s championship flight at the Albany Open. “Everything else was good.”

For Kirbo, it was the same story as DeVane — a few bad shots that cost her a better score as she recorded a double and triple bogey to end her day.

Other local players in the tournament outside of DeVane and Kirbo include Albany’s Donna McMikle, who carded an 86 to tie for ninth place followed by Albany’s Nancy Abraham with a 90 and Olivia Flanagan with a 92.

“Wow, the rough was tough (Tuesday),” Flanagan said. “I think I learned that any time I hit it into that rough, I’m just going to chip out. I’m not going to take any more chances.”

Pelham’s Anne Allen and Bainbridge native Ashley Dixon are tied for 26^th place as they both shot 94s. Right behind them is Albany’s Glenda Eubanks, who along with Sue Woods turned in a 95 with Bainbridge’s Rose Mary Dixon to round out the local participants with a 102.

“I just have to stay on the fairways,” Eubanks said. “Some of the greens are too far for me to reach in regulation, so I have to keep it in the fairway.”

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