By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
CARTHAGE, Mo. — Joplin co-captain Sue Browning had words of caution after Monday’s opening doubles effort by her team against Springfield in the annual Horton Smith Cup Matches.
Joplin will take a lead of 81/2-31/2 into today’s singles competition at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club in Joplin.
Said Browning: “We’re very pleased with today But we know there are 24 points available tomorrow. We have to play tough and well to bring back the trophy.”
Said Springfield captain Lorene Brill: “We’re going to hope. Absolutely, we have hope. We have a good group. I wouldn’t be surprised if we came back.”
Browning said that Springfield, which has a lopsided overall advantage in the series, will be seeking its third win in a row since the annual event was dropped to one team.
Joplin pulled out several close decisions in the 90 degrees — softened by frequent gentle breezes — on Carthage Golf Course.
“Our young girls played very well,” Leigh Ann Hackney, a veteran Joplin member, said.
Hackney and Raine Lounis, coming off her freshman season at Drury University in Springfield, defeated Charlotte Ashcraft and Margaret Alumno 1-up.
Missy Little, Joplin city champion, and Natalie Bird, who’ll be a freshman at Missouri Western in St. Joseph, beat Heidi Rice and Tara Fuchs 2 and 1.
Plus, Joplin pairs Browning-Tammy Thomas and Beth Parmley-Rhonda Hartley defeated Ann Fuchs-Vicki Franks and Katie McCroskey-Sharon Matti, respectively, 2-up and 2 and 1.
Other Joplin wins were by Jill West and Deb McFarland, 5 and 4 over Flora Mitchell and Myrna White; Gingy Laas and Judy Magner, 4 and 3 over Stephanie Henderson and Diane Peterson; Phyllis Sanders and Anne Ranz, 7 and 6 over Nancy White-Geri Schlegel, and Sue Taylor and Billie Dahnke, 4 and 3 over Laura Pendergraft and Kathy Dake.
Laas said she was making first appearance for Joplin in more than 20 years.
Joplin co-captain Pam Borland and Esther Alumbaugh halved their match with Mary Skiles and Sharon Barefield.
Joplin losses included two 1-up decisions. Jessica Dillard and Pat Myers clipped Rosemary Grant and Peggy Hinde and Linda Hyde-Nancy Luxton beat Jennifer Fagan and Kristie Crossland.
Springfield’s Connie Thiede and Carla Chaney beat Nancy Isaac and Jo Poyzer 3 and 1.
Hinde and Grant lost despite Hinde’s fourth career hole-in-one on the 107-yard 12th hole with a 9-iron.
“We were down by three strokes at the turn and were able to tie it,” Hinde said. “So, that helped us get back into it. But we lost the match.”
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June 29, 2009
Joplin takes opening lead in Horton Smith matches
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
Continued ... - Five sign to join Missouri Southern women's track team
- Whisner ignites Joplin Miners past Webb City
- Venus Williams joins Serena on sideline in Paris
- Both sides of border hope changes make easier entry into Canada
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
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Area athletes turn shine at state meet
Webb City's Jarvis Jones takes sixth in the 200.
- Cleo Elbert steps down at Thomas Jefferson
- Frontenac wins first state baseball title
- Joplin's Jeremy Lynn takes fifth at state tennis
- Frontenac advances at state baseball
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