Morales Shows Poise in Symetra Tour Event

Nicole Morales took another important step toward achieving her lifelong dream of playing golf professionally today when she finished a quite respectable T-40 in the Symetra Tour's IOA Golf Classic at Alacqua Country Club. Her 74/71/72/217 was four over par for the storm-delayed three-round event.

In an interview after her second round--played with high-profile Cheyenne Woods--Morales said,

"It has been a dream come true, playing with the people here. It's great to compare myself with these players. My ambition is to play professionally so seeing my game against theirs is great."

Aside from a few mishaps on the tight, tree-lined course, the youngster's game held up well. She hit 24 of 39 fairways and 52% of her greens in regulation. Her putting was a serviceable 26 putts per round.

The South Salem teen moved to Florida for her final year of high school so she can compete year-round while working with her mentor Cheryl Anderson. Next year, she's off to the University of Alabama. This was her second Symetra Tour event.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf