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Highlands Today

Driven To Succeed

MARK PINSON/HIGHLANDS TODAY

Sebring senior Aaron Snyder averaged 38.9 strokes for nine holes while playing at No. 1 for the Blue Streaks in the 2007 season.

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By Mark  Pinson | Highlands Today

Published: December 27, 2007

SEBRING –– Golf is a sport that requires an inordinate amount of time to improve.

For a perfectionist like Aaron Snyder, it required years of dedication and sacrifice to become the player he yearned to be.

All of the work paid off this past season, however, as Snyder, who played out of the No. 1 position, led the Class-2A Blue Streaks with a nine-hole average of 38.9 strokes.
Snyder, a senior who played four years of varsity golf, led by example with his work ethic on and off the course.

For his ability, accomplishments and leadership qualities, Snyder has been selected as Highlands Today's 2007 All-Heartland Boys Golfer of the Year.

"Aaron has tremendous dedication in school and on the links," said Aaron's father and second-year Sebring coach John Snyder. "He worked hard to improve his game during the season and on the Sertoma Junior Tour during the summers as he was growing up.

"He has an excellent short game and was a team leader for us on and off the course."

Sebring had an outstanding regular season, but didn't make it out of a very competitive District-9 tournament.

"We had a pretty good season, but came up a little short of our goal of going to state," the 17-year-old Snyder said. "We had a young team this year after losing three seniors, but we played hard and gave it our best shot."

A highlight of the season for Snyder was shooting an even-par 72 at the Lake Brantley Invitational, and getting a chance to play for his father.

"The 72 I shot at the Lake Brantley tournament was pretty cool because I finished in the top five, and it was against some really good players," the younger Snyder said. "Playing for my dad meant a lot to me because growing up he has been my coach in every sport that I played.

"He has been an important part of my success in golf and life and I wouldn't be the person I am without his support and guidance."

The Team

• Greg Gentry, freshman, Avon Park –– Gentry came on the Heartland high school golf scene after displaying outstanding ability on the Sertoma Junior Golf Tour and proved that he belonged on the varsity.

  Gentry played at No. 1 and led the Red Devils with a 38.1 average for nine holes.

  Gentry shot a 2-over-par 74 at the Class 1A-District 6 tournament and the smooth-swinging left-hander carded a 78 at the regional competition.

  "Greg has a lot of ability and is mentally tough," said Avon Park coach Bobby Barben. "He has worked hard to improve every aspect of his game and has good course management.

  "He has confidence that he can hit every shot and he is only going to get better."

• Austin Smith, junior, Avon Park –– Smith played at No. 2 for the Red Devils and averaged 39.4 for nine holes.

  Smith, who also hones his game during the summers on the Sertoma Tour, shot an even-par 72 at districts and followed that up with a 74 at regionals.

  "Austin came on strong at the end of the season," said Barben. "He worked hard to improve and learned to keep the ball in play."

• Blake Liles, sophomore, Sebring –– Liles played at No. 2 for the Blue Streaks and averaged 39.4.

  "Blake has a great work ethic," Snyder said. "He is a tireless worker and spends hours at the course. "His iron game is his strong suit, and he is going to be a force on the golf scene for the next two years."

• Clay Davis, sophomore, Avon Park –– Davis played at No. 3 for the Red Devils and averaged 39.3 per nine.

  Davis had a strong season and shot an 80 at the district tournament.

  "Clay had a good season and if he stays focused and keeps working on his game, he's going to be an outstanding player," said Barben.

• Zach Foster, junior, Sebring –– The long-hitting Foster played at No. 3 for the Blue Streaks and had a nine-hole average of 39.9.

  "Zach is the longest hitter on the team," coach Snyder said. "He was always working on his game and his efforts paid off with a good season.

  "He is another Blue Streak golfer that has all the tools to be an outstanding player."
  

• Cory Watt, senior, Sebring –– Watt played at No. 4 position and averaged 42.3.

  Watt proved that hard work paid off as his score improved as the season progressed.

  "Cory was always at the range or on the putting green working on his game," Synder said. "He is a tremendous competitor and had great team spirit."

• Kyle Thompson, sophomore, Lake Placid –– Thompson played at No. 1 and averaged 47.1 for the Green Dragons.

  "Kyle is still learning the game," said Lake Placid coach Dan Coomes. "He is even tempered and has a lot of potential."

• Josh Summerfield, senior, Avon Park –– Summerfield played at No. 4 and the No. 5 position and averaged 47.6 for the Red Devils.

  "Josh worked hard on his game and became a steady player for us," Barben said.

• Robert Becerra, senior, Avon Park –– Becerra played at several spots for the Red Devils and averaged 47.8.

  "Robert was consistent in his play and was a real competitor," Barben said.
  

For guiding the Class 1A Red Devils to a solid season and having two players qualify for regional competition, Avon Park's Bobby Barben has been selected Highlands Today's 2007 Boys Golf Coach of the Year.

Barben is also a fine player himself, having taken top honors at the Highlands County Amateur Championship this year.

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