Lara and Izel back in the USA for the Annika Invitational

Lara Weinstein and Izel Pieters join 70 girls from 11 countries this week as they compete in the Annika Invitational being played at the Reunion Resort in Florida, USA. They are accompanied by their Dads Derek Weinstein and Koos Pieters.

Jordan Ferreira of University Place, Wash., shot a 2-under-par 70 and holds a one-stroke lead over Alison Lee of Valencia, Calif., after the first round of play. The only two to break par, the pair survived blustery conditions on Reunion Resort’s Independence (Watson) Course and will carry that momentum into Sunday’s second round.

The South African girls found conditions difficult with Izel carding 80 and Lara 81 in the first round.

The ANNIKA Foundation, which owns and operates the event, teaches children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition, and offers aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams. Annika Sorenstein is always part of the event and a real inspiration to the players.

The event enables the players to meet coaches from many colleges and universities in the USA with a view to obtaining scholarships once they have completed their schooling in South Africa. Lara has received offers from three universities and will be visiting them after the Annika. These are Texas State where she hopes to catch up with Bertine Strauss, the University of North Carolina and Chapel Hill, Tennessee.