Geneva golfer Danielle Nicholson is off to a strong start in defense of her Division I state championship.
The Eagles sophomore fired an even par 70 at Ohio State’s Gray course Friday afternoon, which was good enough for second place and left her just two shots behind the leader, Jessica Provasnik of Medina Highland, who shot a 68.
“I drove the ball very well and most of my irons were pretty solid,” she said. “I was two-over after the front then on the par 3, 11th, I hit a 4-iron to 2 feet and had a sliding left to right putt that I made.”
She followed that with another birdie on the par 5, 12th. The birdies wiped bogies on holes No. 2 and 7 that left her two over at the turn.
She also had makeable birdies on 13, 15 and 18 but wasn’t able to convert.
According to Geneva coach Rob DiPofi, those missed birdie chances were not an indictment of her putting as he liked the way she looked on the greens.
“She’s rolling the ball really well,” he said. “If she shoots an identical round (today), she’s got a really great chance.”
All told Nicholson had 33 putts, but just one three-putt, something she was pleased with.
“The greens were pretty quick but I only had one 3 putt,” she said. “For the most part, I putted pretty well. I let a few opportunities go from about 10 feet but I know I’m not going to convert all of those so it’s OK.”
While she trails Provasnik, who is headed to Ohio State to golf next season, Nicholson is also tied with Mackenzie DiPetro of North Canton Hoover and Case Neilsen of Kent Roosevelt who also fired 70s.
Also in the mix are Lexie Toth of Dublin Jerome (71), Jessica Mcrae of Highland and Cassie Pantelas (72) of Massillon Jackson.
One thing that may benefit Nicholson is that she is not also competing for a team title and needs to only worry about her own score.
Provasnik, on the other hand, will be paired with Pantelas and Toth as their teams currently sit in first, second and third in the team standings. Jackson leads the standings at 309 with Highland (311) and Jerome (313) in close pursuit.
After today’s round, DiPofi feels Nicholson sits in a strong position, despite trailing.
Winning from behind isn’t foreign to the sophomore. After the first round of last year’s state tournament, she shot a 73 and trailed before coming back with a 70 to win.
“I think the possibility is there (for her to win),” DiPofi said. “She’s given herself the opportunity. All things considered, I anticipate her playing well (today). She’s mentally strong and that’s an intangible that I think is really overlooked especially playing at this level.
“She’s tournament tested and that’s very important.”
Nicholson said she doesn’t necessarily plan to draw on her experience of coming from behind to win last year as much as she does sticking to her game plan coming into the tournament.
“Well, I know I’m going to go out there and try to shoot even par or better,” he said. “Hopefully, I can get off to a faster start (today) than I did (Friday). I think it’s supposed to be around 13 mph winds, but it’s looking like the rain will be gone after the morning.
“I was hoping it wouldn’t be so nice out, but I’m very excited about the round.”
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