New Bern's first LPGA event ends in nail biting fashion as long

Canadian Alena Sharp came to the final green of the LPGA Epson Tour "Champions Fore Change Invitational" at Taberna Country Club, leading American Gigi Stoll by one shot with both players facing birdie putts.

Stoll was away and went first but her ball came up just short. That meant Sharp could seal the deal by dropping her birdie attempt.

Her stroke was smooth, the ball rolled true and right into the cup closing the door as Sharp claimed the top prize of $30,000.

Sharp is no stranger to women's professional golf.

The 42 year old Canadian first earned her way onto the LPGA Tour in 2005, peaking in 2016 when Sharp won nearly half a million dollars on the LPGA circuit and finished 20th for Canada at the Rio Olympic games.

Golf can be a finicky game however and Sharp, once a regular on the LPGA Tour, found herself at the LPGA Epson Tour event in New Bern, once again fighting for a converted LPGA card. The top 10 money winners earn their LPGA cards and with the victory Sharp is now eighth with $46,257.

"I was just locked in all week, putted well and was firing on all cylinders," said Sharp.

That's an understatement. Sharp posted rounds of 67-64-68 to finish 17 under par, two shots better than Stoll. Her 64 on Saturday was one shot off the course record of 63 set in the opening round by Yiyi Lui of China.

"I really enjoyed the area, so soothing to my eyes and the people are so nice," added Sharp who called Taberna CC "a hidden gem".

Sharp wasn't the only player to compliment the course. According to Taberna golf professional, Mark Williams, the LPGA Epson Tour players he talked with loved the layout and design of the course and the scores bore record of that.

Final Leaderboard LPGA Epson-Taberna CC TOP 5

1. Alena Sharp Canada -17 67-64-68

2. Gigi Stoll Oregon -15 67-66-68

3. Roberta Liti Italy -13 66-66-71

T-4. Robyn Choi Australia -11 68-69-68

T-4. Cassie Porter Australia -11 66-70-69

Everyone agrees, this first ever professional golf event at the Taberna CC went "silky smooth" says Williams but will it return for an encore?

This year the LPGA put up the purse of $200,000 but now the search is on for a presenting sponsor willing to write a check for $250,000.

"The goal is to raise purses for these ladies," says Matthew Clark the LPGA Epson Tour Sr. Manager of Business Affairs. "The tour will drive the search for a presenting sponsor." adds Clark, "but it takes a whole village to make things happen."

The Taberna CC had just five months to prepare for this tournament which was played in Kinston last year but left for New Bern in search of community support.

"Our goal was to make every player feel at home and to that end we even held a player appreciation banquet mid-week and there were nothing but good vibes," exclaimed Williams.