On Saturday, March 30, the Peggy Kirk Bell Girls’ Golf Tour played the first round of the 2019 Palmetto Classic at Furman University Golf Club in Greenville, SC.
Early Saturday morning, when the screech of alarm clocks typically echoes around hotel rooms of PKBGT members preparing for a tournament, nothing but silence oscillated through the barren hallways. With tee times set to begin at 12:30 p.m., players and family members remained tucked under their comforter enjoying the extra rest that comes with an afternoon start.
For the second weekend in a row, the suitcases felt lighter with temperatures set to peak in the mid 70’s. A light gray cloud cover blanketed the skies at the home of the Furman University Women’s Golf team as the time approached for players to hit the practice range.
A week of warm weather helped Furman University Golf Club’s nature expedite the blossoming process, a noticeably vibrant green glowing from the trees surrounding the college course. A weekend of play at the challenging Division 1 caliber golf course providing the field of 78 a robust challenge at the 2019 Palmetto Classic.
The clouds made way from bright sunshine as the clock approached 12:30 p.m. for the afternoon double tee start. Like a wolf at a full moon, the wind was howling; an additional component to the already challenging course setup.
The play matched the course, with several players flirting with under-par rounds. Here is how the leaderboard stands following the first day of play.
Bell National
It’s a reassuring feeling to shoot a three-under-par round at your future home course for the next four years of your golf career. Just ask Anna Morgan (Spartanburg, SC 2019) who came out firing on all cylinders at Furman University Golf Club. The future Lady Paladin shot a first round score of 69 (-3), setting the tone for the rest of the 49 player Bell National field. There are hot streaks, and then there are streaks where you go five under in a six-hole span. Needless to say, Morgan was feeling it on Saturday afternoon.
With an incredible round such as Morgan’s, one would think the next closest player wouldn’t be within reach to compete. Alyssa Montgomery (Knoxville, TN 2019) is the exception, outputting her own dominant performance with a two-under-par round. Montgomery’s 70 (-2) leaves her just one stroke behind Morgan in second place. She dropped four birdies on the day, including three on the front nine.
Surely it would be a two-horse race with those two scores, right? Think again! Alexsandra Lapple (Ridgefield, CT 2023) joined the party, finishing with an under-par round of her own. Lapple shot a 71 (-1) in the first round of play and sits in third place. She finished her afternoon with a streak of her own, scoring birdies on four of her last six holes.
Rounding out the Bell National division, in a three-way tie for fourth place is Adrian Anderson (Murrels Inlet, SC 2022), Sara Im (Duluth, GA 2023), and Penelope Tir (Winnetka, IL 2019). All three players shot 73 (+1) in their first round of play. Anderson and Tir each spread three birdies across their afternoon, while Im closed out her round with three birdies in the last four holes.
Futures National
Leading the 29 player Futures National field following the first round of the Palmetto Classic is Grace Ridenour (Cary, NC 2025). Ridenour finished the afternoon with a final score of 78 (+6). She holed six birdies on the afternoon including a birdie to close out her round on the 18th hole.
Two shots behind Ridenour, with a first-round final score of 80 (+8), is Kinsley Smith (Raleigh, NC 2024). Smith sits in second place after Saturday’s round of competition, eager to make a move in Sunday’s final round.
In third place, shooting a first-round score of 81 (+9) is Ellie Hildreth (Wilmington, NC 2025). Hildreth’s round was a roller coaster ride, but ultimately her three birdies left her in position to contend come Sunday afternoon.
Shea Smith (Charlotte, NC 2022) finished the round on Saturday with a final score of 82 (+10). She currently sits in fourth place in the Futures National division. Smith’s round included three birdies on her front nine and an eagle on the Par-5 11th hole.
Rounding out the Top Five of the leaderboard, in fifth place is Elizabeth Lohbauer (Huntersville NC 2021). Lohbauer had a whirlwind of a round that started and ended with birdies. She finished with a final score of 83 (+11) on the afternoon.
Looking Forward
If Saturday afternoon’s play was any indication for what’s to come in Sunday’s final round, you can count on stellar play and an exciting finish to the 2019 PKBGT Palmetto Classic. Play is set to begin Sunday morning at 8 a.m. with a double tee start. With three players under par in the Bell National division, the tournament is likely to come down to a nail-biting finish. Follow live scoring at the link below to stay up to date on all the scores.
Live Scoring
About the PKBGT
Founded in 2007 by the Triad Youth Golf Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, as a local girls’ golf tour in the Triad region of North Carolina, the tour began as a simple concept: create more effective competitive playing opportunities for girls. By utilizing innovative yardage-based divisions instead of the traditional age-based format, the tour focused on developing tournament experience at the player’s pace. The 2019 season will feature over 90 tournaments in 9 states on the East Coast and with over 900 members, the PKBGT is the largest girl’s only tour in the country. Learn more about the PKBGT at http://www.pkbgt.org/.
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