CANADIAN LAKES – Daniela Iacobelli and Paola Moreno, the champions of the first two Tullymore Classics are looking forward to coming back for the third Tullymore Classic June 28 through July 2.
They cited good vibrations and memories from having won titles at Tullymore Golf Resort, but also talked about the friends they made along the way.
Each of them will be staying with resort members and nearby residents they stayed with during their winning visits. Iacobelli was the guest of Dick and Yvonne Koblinski two years ago when she won the Classic, which launched her on to the LPGA Tour for a year. Moreno stayed with Bill and Carolyn Bengel last year during her landmark win and return from a left thumb injury that required surgery.
“They are the sweetest couple ever, and they made me feel so comfortable so I could just concentrate on the tournament,” Iacobelli said. “It was the best housing I’ve ever had at a tournament. It was like hanging out with my grandparents. They are part of the reason I won. I really believe that, so I look forward to staying with them again.”
Moreno said she was made to feel right at home with the Bengels, and said when the housing works it always makes for better play in the tournament.
“Less things to worry about mean better focus for the golf,” she said. “You also have people being nice to you, and that just makes everything better and more comfortable. It makes the travel so much easier.”
The third Tullymore Classic is set for June 28 through July 2 with the Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation and SpartanNash, on behalf of its Our Family® and Spartan® exclusive private brands, teaming up with Tullymore Golf Resort to present two Tullymore Classic Pro-Ams on Wednesday, June 28, and Thursday, June 29, before the field of 144 golfers take over for three days.
The touring players on the “Road to the LPGA” will compete over 54-holes for a $100,000 purse.
Moreno, who is from Colombia, shot a final-round 6-under 66 capped by a 20-foot birdie putt at No. 18 to win last year’s Tullymore Classic.
“Winning with the birdie putt at 18 was pretty special,” she said. “That tournament really let me know I was back from the injury, and that I could win again. Of my three Epson Tour wins, that one is the most special because of the work I went through to get my game back.”
She has carried it over to this season currently standing No. 8 in the Volvik Race For the Card money list with $29,655 earned. Iacobelli is at No. 10 with $23,642 earned. Both would earn LPGA full playing status cards if the season ended today.
“I’ve played well and I have a different strategy this year,” said Moreno, who has three wins on the Epson Tour since her rookie year of 2009. “I’m playing the tournaments with the bigger purses, and not just playing every week. I’m staying healthy and the work I’ve been doing is paying off.”
She has a best finish of second in the Women’s Health Classic in Greenwood, S.C. in May, and has played in just six tournaments. She has three tops 10 finishes and has not finished lower than 26th this season.
Iacobelli, a Michigan native from Detroit, struggled in her year on the LPGA Tour last year and didn’t retain full playing status, but called it part of the learning process.
“There is a huge learning curve out there,” she said. “The first year (on the LPGA Tour) I was in such awe, and then last year, my second time out there, I made some progress but not everything sunk in and I found I need to have a little more faith in my talent. My goal, or the way I’m thinking is the third time is the charm, so when I get there next year I can get it figured out.”
Her top finish so far this season is a second in the first week of June at the Fuccillo Kia Classic of New York. Iacobelli, who has two Epson Tour wins since 2010, has four top 20s this season and said she is taking her game with patience.
“Everybody wants it to happen overnight, but it doesn’t work that way,” she said. “I’m putting in the work on my game, and staying with it. I know I can play on the LPGA Tour. I’ve been there twice and I’m going back.”
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