Youngster right at home (photo gallery)

MARION - Ginger Howard strode to the opening tee Friday at Hunters Ridge Golf Course just like the other players teeing off in the Symetra Tour's Titan Tire Challenge.

She carried herself professionally and graciously, saying “thank you” to compliments after a drive down the fairway.

There is one thing different about Howard, however. She's younger than the rest.

Howard is the youngest player on the Symetra Tour at 18. She is also No. 8 on the tour's money list - not bad for someone who graduated from high school three weeks ago.

Howard said she does not get intimidated now.

“I have to admit I kind of did when I first started,” Howard said. “I've gotten used to it. I have met a lot of great people who haven't treated me like a little kid, but like a professional.”

Golf has been a constant in Howard's life. She began playing when she was 6 and attended various academies. She was home-schooled beginning in sixth grade so it would be easier to learn when she was traveling for tournaments.

Howard said she often did schoolwork in the car or in a hotel room on golf trips, always under her mother's watchful eyes.

“That was a hectic time,” Howard said. “It's easier now that I graduated.”

She plans to take online classes to continue her education after she gets an LPGA membership card, she said.

Howard is the oldest of her three siblings, all of whom play golf. She said her family keeps her motivated.

“I have a great support system back home,” Howard said. “They just keep me driving forward. We're just a golf family.”

The native of Darby, Pa., continues to rise in the women's golf world. She won six tournaments on the SunCoast Ladies Mini Tour and has a runner-up finish on the Symetra, the next step before the LPGA.

In Friday's first round of the Ladies Titan Tire Challenge, Howard finished with a 74 to put herself in a tied for 41st. She just shrugged while talking about her score.

“Nothing was consistent,” she said. “Right now, I can't say I'm disappointed because I did have some great plays today. I got to stay positive and happy.”

Paola Moreno and Valentine Derrey are on top of the leaderboard after day one after carding rounds of 4-under 68.

“I made a couple of good putts and thought I played pretty steady throughout,” Derrey said.

Play resumes with second-round action Saturday at Hunters Ridge. First tee times are at 7:45 a.m. The tournament ends Sunday.