May 30, 2024 
GRAPEVINE, Texas (May 29) – Maddie McCrary, former Destination Grapevine Texas Women’s Open Champion (2015), leads after a bogey free first round. Fort Worth native Angela Stanford leads the Ewing Automotive Group Legends of the LPGA Division. Both professionals fired rounds of 6-under-par, 66 at Grapevine Golf Course (Pecan/Mockingbird nines).
McCrary, who is from Wylie Texas, leads the pack by one stroke and accredates her good round to her putting. “My putter was really hot today. I’ve been working really hard on my putting,” said McCrary. She also added that on the par 5, 9th and 18th holes today she hit driver from the fairway to reach both greens, affording her the opportunity to two putt for birdie on both holes.
When asked why she continues to play in the Destination Grapevine Texas Women’s Open, the past champion said “It’s home!”
In the hunt for the Championship behind McCrary are 11 players within five shots of the lead. That includes Thienna Huynh (a), from Lilburn, Georgia, who shot a 5-under-par, 67. Her round included an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole. One of only seven eagles on the day.
In the Ewing Automotive Group Legends of the LPGA Division, Angela Stanford holds a four stroke lead over the 24 player field. Stanford comes into the week after a win at the LPGA Senior Championship on Saturday in Utah. That is her second win in two years at that championship. “It helps a ton. You know how momentum is in golf. I need to go home and get ready for the next two days and continue to ride the momentum,” said Stanford.
Today, Stanford carded a 31-35–66, 6-under par. “I was driving it straight…The weather was great, the lack of wind helped also.”
Stanford, who grew up in Fort Worth and played on the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour, spoke about why she elected to play in the Championship once again. “Everyone knows that I’m a Texan through and through and anything I can do to support Texas golf and the Northern Texas PGA, I want to do that. They gave me my opportunity as a junior. I think I had some of the best opportunities playing junior golf in this area.”
Five shots back of Stanford is World Golf Hall of Fame member Dame Laura Davies at 1-under-par. This is Davies first time playing in the Championship. The multiple time major champion said the following “I was looking at my schedule…It was a no brainer. Nice to play a tournament you haven’t played before. Very impressive, I love the course. It gives you a chance to make birdies, but equally it will take you apart if you’re not playing well.”
The second round will begin at 7:30 tomorrow morning. The Ewing Automotive Legends of the LPGA Division will tee off from 7:30 to 8:42 a.m. with the leaders playing at 8:42 a.m. The Destination Grapevine Texas Women’s Open will have the low 78 scores from round one play in the afternoon from 12:30 to 2:27 p.m. with the leaders playing at 2:27 p.m.
The event is open to the public and admission is free.
Grapevine Golf Course (Pecan/Mockingbird)
Par: 36-36–72
Championship Yardage: 6,300 yards
Legends of the LPGA Yardage: 6,145 yards
(Article from Northern Texas PGA)
Nov 20, 2024 
