Stasi shoots 74 in challenging winds

PLANTATION — Strong winds made for difficult scoring conditions for the 109 golfers competing in the first round of the Broward County Women’s Amateur.

Meghan Stasi, a two-time winner of the event, was the only player to break 80, shooting a 2-over-par 74 on the North course at Fort Lauderdale Country Club in winds of 20-25 mph Saturday afternoon.

“It was probably one of the most difficult 5,900 yards I’ve played in a long time,” said Stasi, of Oakland Park. “The course is in great shape, the greens are firm and fast. I just didn’t get it going there on the front nine. It was just tough because of the wind.

“Florida’s always windy but that was just a little bit more than normal. It was two clubs all day. And it felt like it was into the wind the whole time.”

Defending champion Diane Lang of Weston, who shared a golf cart with Stasi, was second in the championship flight with an 80. Vilma Sapp and Maria Larrazabal were tied for third at 86.

Liz Finn led Flight 1 with an 87 and five players were tied for second at 88. Peggy Blanchard shot an 88 to lead Flight 2. Play concludes today with a 9 a.m. shotgun start on the South course.

A four-time U.S. Women’s MidAmateur champion, Stasi bogeyed three of the first five holes and had a fourth bogey to go out in 40.

She had three birdies on the back nine, one a tap-in after her approach on the par-4 13th lipped out for an eagle. Stasi sank a short putt for another birdie and rolled in a 35-footer for her other birdie.

“I shot 4 over on the front and came back and shot 2 under on the back, so I was happy with that,” Stasi said.

“I had a couple of off drives. That’s usually my strong point, so it got me in trouble a couple of times.”

Paloma Nunez, who finished second to Lang last year, was happy just to be playing even though she shot an 88.

It was her first round of golf since she hurt her back in September and the first time she played the course.

“I haven’t practiced at all,” Nunez said. “I chipped and putted Thursday and Friday.

“I like this tournament a lot. It’s a good atmosphere and a chance to see a golf course I hadn’t seen before.”

After shooting 47 on the front and fearing more of the same on the back, she was pleased that she shot a 41 coming in, plus her back didn’t really bother her.

“I’m going to go home and do some stretching and yoga,” Nunez said. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

STEVE WATERS/STAFF Meghan Stasi of Oakland Park, a two-time champion, hits out of a bunker during her round of 74 on Saturday. She was the only player to break 80 under difficult conditions.