FORT MYERS, FLORIDA, May 2, 2014 – With wind gusts of up to 25-miles-an-hour, Jackie Stoeling (Vero Beach) fired a 4-under-par 68 on Friday to grab the first-round lead at the Chico’s Patty Berg Memorial at Cypress Lake Country Club.

Stoelting, who is still alive on the Golf Channel show Big Break Florida, made three birdies on her front nine and two birdies on the back nine. Her only blemish of the day was a bogey on the par-3 13^th hole.

“It was a bit windy, but I tried to keep a positive attitude in the wind because I’m from the east coast of Florida and it is windy like this all the time,” said the 27-year-old Stoelting. “I looked at the wind as an advantage rather than a disadvantage.”

Stoelting was pleased with her ball-striking and putting.

“I hit the ball well and had just 26 putts so that always helps.”

Stoelting, who is eighth on the Volvik Race for the Card money list, is going to keep the same mentality for the second-round on Saturday.

“I just have to stay patient, stay positive, hit fairways and greens and just hit one shot at a time,” said Stoelting. “I don’t want to do anything different on Saturday.”

Travis Stoelting, Jackie’s husband and caddy helped her through the round.

“I always play my best when he is on the bag, he knows my golf game really well and he is my swing instructor,” said Jackie. “I don’t know if it is just a calming presence to have him around, but I usually play my best when he is on the bag and I’m very glad that he is here."

Stoelting’s best finish on the Epson Tour this season was a tie for second at the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic with Travis as her caddy.

Stoelting has 12 career top-10 finishes on the Epson Tour, but no victories. Maude-Aimee Leblanc is in solo second place after shooting a 3-under 69.

Leblanc played bogey-free golf with birdies on the second, seventh and 16^th holes.

“The wind picked up after a few holes so I’m glad to be done with the round and in this position,” said Leblanc.

The dual status player on the LPGA Tour and Epson Tour was very impressed with Cypress Lake Country Club.

“The greens are perfect, the fairways are nice and the course is in great condition so the wind is the big factor.”

Four players finished at 2-under-par, two strokes off the lead. Volvik Race for the Card money list leader Cindy Feng is part of the group at 2-under. Stephanie Na, Brittany Benvenuto and Jessica Shepley are also two strokes off the pace.

TERRY-JO MYERS TALKS EPSON TOUR: Local Fort Myers native Terry-Jo Myers shot an 8-over-par 80 in the first-round of the Chico’s Patty Berg Memorial.

Myers played on the Futures Tour back in 1985.

Although disappointed in her round, Myers talking glowingly about the growth of the Epson Tour.

“Obviously the Epson Tour is a lot more organized than when we had it as the Futures Tour,” said Myers. “As the week has developed, I have been very impressed. The flags, everything like the range balls, the practice facilities these girls have now; it’s definitely a big improvement from what we used to play.”

Myers, who knew Patty Berg very well, is happy she has the chance to carry on the legacy of Berg.

“I have the exemption to play here because I’m the bridge between Patty Berg and the younger players who don’t even know who she was and she was a legend. She is the reason they have a place to play when they make it to the LPGA Tour.”

Myers had a tough day on the course in round one.

“I am as rusty as can be. Maybe I need a lot more tournament play before I decide to play in front of people.”

Myers, who is an honorary member at Cypress Lake Country Club, is a three-time winner on the LPGA Tour.

THE LEFT-HANDER: Brittany Benvenuto had one of her best rounds of the season to stand in a tie for third at 2-under.

Benvenuto, a natural righty, is one of two left-handed full-time players on the Epson Tour (Angela Buzminski).

“I’m really happy with my score today, it was a grind with the wind and the into the wind holes were so difficult,” said Benvenuto. “You just had to focus on the shot at hand and not get too far ahead of yourself and I did that so I’m really happy.”

Benvenuto is a big fan of Cypress Lake Country Club.

“It’s been awesome, I actually told a couple of my friends after we played nine holes on Monday that I really like this course, it is really fun. It’s got a really fun layout and the practice facility is awesome so I think from the beginning of the week all the players have been excited to get here.”

Media Contact

Bret Lasky, Coordinator, Epson Tour Media, bret.lasky@lpga.com, 386-679-1292

Jackie Stoelting Leads Chico's Patty Berg Memorial

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