COLUMBUS — She played what her father termed a boring round of golf, which was just what Alexis Jones was aiming for.
The Shelby sophomore fired a 2 under 68 on Ohio State’s Gray Course during the opening round of the Division II state tournament Friday to share the overnight lead with Leavittsburg LaBrae’s Haylee Harford.
Jones, and Harford, the 2011 state medalist, are four shots clear of defending state medalist Makayla Dull of Kansas Lakota and Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin’s Reva Morris.
“I like boring golf: fairways, greens and two-putts,” Jones’ father, Ken Jones, said. “Alexis had one unforced error all day and that is what we want to stay away from.”
Jones had birdies at No. 1, 8 and 11. Her only slip-up of the day came at the par 5 15th, where she three-putted for bogey.
“I was pleased with the way I played,” Alexis Jones said. “I was especially happy with my chipping and putting. My short game hurt me at districts.”
Jones was runner-up to Dull at last week’s district tournament after shooting a 78. Jones, Harford (who verbally committed to Furman University in Greensville, S.C.) and Dull will play together in an all-star threesome during Saturday’s final round.
“You have three talented players and I don’t think any of them is going to take a foot off the gas pedal,” Ken Jones said. “They are going to push each other. We tell Alexis she has to beat the best to be the best.”
Shelby coach Brad Ruminski wasn’t surprised to see Jones atop the leaderboard.
“She was consistent, which is all you can ask for,” Ruminski said. “She wanted to position herself to win the tournament and she has done that.
“She didn’t let the pressure get to her.”
What pressure?
“I wasn’t nervous at all,” said Jones, who tied for 14th at state as a freshman. “Last year’s experience really helped me and I like playing in front of people so the big crowd didn’t bother me.”
Lady Lex ninth: Lexington’s girls team carded a team total of 371 and is in ninth place after the opening round. Dover (331) leads after the first day, while Cortland Lakeview (340) is second and Dayton Chaminade-Julienne (341) is third.
“A 371 is six strokes higher than what we averaged during the season, so the girls aren’t really upset,” Lady Lex coach Mike Kathrein said. “Three of our girls shot better than their average.”
Abby Conover led Lady Lex with an 87. Alex Sazdanoff shot a 93, while Natasha Mack had a 95. Courtney Thompson (96) and Savannah Cinadr (111) rounded out the scoring.
“We’ll try to be a little more relaxed tomorrow and focus on the things we can control,” Kathrein said. “This is a great opportunity for our girls. Only 12 teams in the state get this chance.”
