Course's touring pro joins select company

One of the hottest golfers on the LPGA Tour is in Cape Girardeau.

English-born Karen Stupples, the touring professional for Dalhousie Golf Club, is taking a three-week break after her best finish in her four years on the LPGA Tour.

Just 10 days ago Stupples was playing with Annika Sorenstam, the world's No. 1 ranked female golfer, in the final group at the Safeway Classic in Portland, Ore. Stupples went into the final round, aired on The Golf Channel, in second place and just three strokes off the lead.

She settled for third place and a $58,750 check which moved her into 47th place on the money list, securing a two-year exemption on the tour. Her 204 total was her lowest ever.

For a third-place finish, there were a lot of firsts for Stupples.

"It was my first time in the last group, playing on a Sunday and playing with the world's No. 1, Annika Sorenstam," said Stupples, staying at the home of a local couple during her time in Cape. "It was a good experience. It was the first time I played with her, and the day before it was the first time I played with Karrie Webb."

The talent of Stupples' playing partners has dropped a bit the past few days as she fulfills part of her duties at Dalhousie, which includes instruction and public relations.

"I play a lot at the golf course with members and I'm going to be giving clinics to ladies and juniors," Stupples said.

Clinics are planned for Dalhousie, Arena Golf and Kennett Country Club. She also plans to play in the Notre Dame Booster Club Scramble before heading overseas to play in tournaments in Korea and Japan.

"I hope to make a difference in the area, encouraging junior golfers, ladies and challenging the men too -- I have a few interesting matches coming up with the men," Stupples said. "I just want to give people an idea of what can be achieved, especially with girls. Because there is a future for them in golf. I think if they know about it, then it's another option for people. It's a good way to get in college with a scholarship because there's lots of women golf scholarships going out there."

Stupples, 29, should be a good teacher of those lessons. She attended Arkansas State on a golf scholarship in 1992 before transferring to Florida State, where she played for the Seminoles for two years.

Those experiences prepared her for the LPGA Tour. She earned her card on her first trip to qualifying school in 1998, joined the tour in 1999, and has climbed the money list since. She finished a career-best 89th on the money list in 2001 and cracked the top 50 this year with earnings of $206,516.

"I'd like to finish in the top 30 next year and challenge for a few more events and you never know, hopefully win one," Stupples said. "I've seen that the potential is there now and that's reassuring for my confidence."

During her stay in Cape, she plans to find time to work on her own game at Dalhousie, a Gary Nicklaus-designed facility she calls her home course.

This is her second visit to Cape since her initial look at Dalhousie last October.

She became the club's touring professional after learning about the opportunity through Tim and Jennifer Coad, whom she met during a pro-am event in St. Louis. She came into her relationship with Dalhousie, which officially opened in June, during the club's construction phase. With faith that Cord Dombrowski and the rest of the Prestwick ownership group would create a quality golf course, she accepted the position before seeing the course.

"I don't get into things I'm not interested in," Stupples said. "I was interested and wanted to come see it. I had never seen a golf course being built before, so it was pretty cool to get to see all of that."

Her thoughts on the finished product?

"It's an amazing golf course," Stupples said. "Great countryside and scenery while you're playing, but you've got keep your mind on course because it'll come up and get you if you're not careful."

Dalhousie has ambitions of hosting tournaments in the future, and having someone like Stupples in its corner provides connections. Although she'll operate under annual contracts with Dalhousie, she seems comfortable with the fit.

"I foresee this as a long-term relationship and I know Cord sees this as a long-term relationship, too," Stupples said.

Williams fires ace

Linda Williams recently carded her first career hole in one at Cape Jaycee Municipal Golf Course.

Williams used a 3-wood to ace No. 6, a par 3 playing 150 yards. Witnesses were Mike Blechle and Carolyn Blechle.

Cape Girardeau C.C.

Mary Jane Eftink shot a 43 to finish medalist at the Women's Golf Association's weekly event.

Eftink also won the play of the day and was followed by Marlena Jones and Janet White.