Karen Paolozzi retains two-stroke lead at PGA Women's Stroke Play

 

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Defending Champion Karen Paolozzi didn’t let a back-nine miscue spoil her Wednesday at PGA Golf Club, as she grinded out a 1-over-par 73 to maintain a two-stroke lead after the second round of the 16th PGA Women’s Stroke Play Championship presented by Premier Golf and GOLF ADVISOR.

 

Paolozzi, a 32-year-old PGA Assistant Professional at Druid Hills Golf Club in Atlanta, owns a 36-hole total of 2-under-par 142. Sue Ginter of Jupiter, Florida, an LPGA Teaching Professional at Jupiter Hills Club in Tequesta, Florida, shot 73 for a 144 total. They will be in the last group in Thursday’s final round on the Ryder Course.  

 

Ashley Grier of Hagerstown, Maryland, who had a 74, is seven strokes back at 149, followed by Cathy Edelen of Northport, Florida, at 152.

 

Persistent gusts swirled through the Wanamaker Course Wednesday, which played tricks on some approach shots. Paolozzi, who collected four birdies and two bogeys, also had what she called a “hiccup” – a double bogey at the 362-yard, par-4 14th hole. 

 

“I made double with a 7-iron in my hand from the middle of the fairway,” said Paolozzi, who missed the green right with her approach and took four more strokes from there. “It was just an up-and-down day. Yesterday, I was hitting it really well and knowing where it was going. Today, it was a little looser. But overall, I managed to keep things together.” 

 

Paolozzi is one of three PGA Club Professionals to earn a berth in June’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Westchester Country Club in Rye, New York.  

 

Ginter, 49, who played collegiately at the University of Texas before pursuing a tour professional career, is making her first appearance in the Championship. She began her position last October at Jupiter Hills.  

 

“I got off to a good start with three birdies on the front nine, and then I found a couple of greenside bunkers on the back nine. That set me back a bit,” said Ginter, who finished her round with a bogey after driving into the water on the 18th hole. 

 

In the PGA Stroke Play Championship, running concurrently at PGA Golf Club, Ben Polland of Manhasset, New York, shares the second-round lead with former PGA Professional National Champions Rod Perry of Port Orange, Florida, and Bob Sowards of Dublin, Ohio.  The men’s Championship ends Friday on the Ryder Course.  

 

The PGA Winter Championships conclude Feb. 10-13, with the 52nd PGA Match Play Championship on the Dye Course.

 

2015 PGA Winter Championships

16th PGA Women’s Stroke Play Championship presented by Premier Golf and GOLF ADVISOR

Feb. 3-5

PGA Golf Club, Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Wanamaker Course:  5,881 yards, Par-72

 

Karen Paolozzi, Atlanta, Ga. 69-73–142

Sue Ginter, Jupiter, Fla. 71-73–144

Ashley Grier, Hagerstown, Md. 75-74–149

Cathy Edelen, Northport, Fla. 74-78–152

Lynn Valentine, East Lyme, Conn. 74-79–153

Marjorie Jones, Orlando, Fla. 77-76–153

Joy Bonhurst, Kensington, Md. 77-79–156

Lauren Himebaugh, Port St. Lucie, Fla. 80-78–158

Linda Nevatt, Warminster, Pa. 77-82–159

CJ Reeves, Bedford, N.Y. 80-81–161

Sherri Pla, West Palm Beach, Fla. 76-86–162

Holly Anderson, Baltimore, Md. 82-83–165

Mackenzie Mack, Tampa, Fla. 77-89–166

Stacy Barwick, Key Largo, Fla. 81-87–168

Troy Beck, Glenn Dale, Md. 82-86–168

June Staton, Ottawa, Canada 86-83–169

Wendy Modic, Stamford, Conn. 86-84–170

Mary Thomas, Greensboro, N.C. 85-85–170

Amber Weller, Norwalk, Conn. 82-88–170

Amy Carver, Darien, Conn. 91-85–176

Alice Brown, Valrico, Fla. 84-92–176

Liz Fernandes, Highland Park, Ill. 86-91–177

Jean Bartholomew, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. WD--WD

Kammy Maxfeldt, Westport, Conn. 80-WD—WD