Sharp Shoots 9-Under-Par
At LPGA State Farm Classic

By Tony A. Archuleta
HERALD Reporter
Alena Sharp, a former New Mexico State University All-American who will be the featured newcomer at the New Mexico Shootout Sept. 5, finished in a nine-way tie for 34^th place at last week’s LPGA State Farm Classic.

Sharp, who will team up with former University of New Mexico All-American Kristi Albers at the Shootout, finished with a nine-under-par 279 during the July 17-20 tourney at Panther Creek Country Club in Springfield, Ill.

Sharp cashed in on $9,708 to bring her 2008 earnings to $116,984, which ranks 74^th on the LPGA’s official money list.

Lorena Ochoa of Mexico leads the money list at $2.03 million. Last year’s Shootout guest, Natalie Gulbis, is 54^th on the list with $159,839 in total earnings this year.

Sharp’s four-day totals on the 6,608-yard, par-72 course: 68, 70, 68 and 73.

Ji Young Oh of South Korea won the classic with an 18-under-par 270 to claim $255,000 in winnings.

According to the Tournament Statcenter, Sharp hit 43 fairways, reached 59 greens in regulation and recorded 123 putts. Her average driving distance was 266 yards, with one sand save.

The tournament’s biggest headline came after American teen phenom Michelle Wie was disqualified after failing to sign her scorecard following Friday’s tournament leading round.

Nancy Lopez, a World Golf Hall of Fame member and Roswell native who was the hero at last year’s Shootout (along with her teammate and fellow New Mexican, Rosie Jones) missed the State Farm Classic tournament cut, shooting a two-day, 10-over-par 154 over 36 holes.

Lopez and Jones of Team Sierra will defend their Shootout title this fall at Sierra del Rio’s championship golf course in Elephant Butte. Sharp, an Ontario, Canada, native, and Albers of El Paso, will represent Team Zia.

Shootout organizer Sherrin Smyers of Lakeland, Fla.-based Eventrics said it was SDR Head Professional Victor Torres who suggested inviting Sharp to this year’s event.

“He felt like she’d be a great draw,” Smyers said of Torres, who also attended New Mexico State University.

Last year, Albers drew a sizeable contingent of supporters from the El Paso area, and Shootout organizers are confident Sharp’s presence will further bolster attendance from the Las Cruces area.

SDR Director of Golf Guy Wimberly noted the pairing of an ex-Aggie (Sharp) and ex-Lobo (Albers) may be unprecedented in New Mexico sporting circles.

“I have never heard of an Aggie and a Lobo being on a team together – we’re looking forward to it,” he said.