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Red Devils Drive Three Into Golf Regionals

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

Avon Park sophomore Greg Gentry, shown here in a match earlier this season, fired a 74 in the Class 1A-District 16 tournament to advance to the 1A-Region 6 tournament in Fort Myers on Monday.

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By Mark  Pinson | Highlands Today

Published: October 17, 2007

ARCADIA — The boys and girls high school golf teams from the Heartland battled the wind at two different sites at district golf tournaments held on Monday.

Avon Park fared the best, as junior Austin Smith and sophomore Greg Gentry qualified as individuals for next Monday's Class 1A-Region 6 tournament at Pelican Preserve in Fort Myers.
Smith finished second overall with an even-par 72 over the tight and wind-swept Bluffs Golf Course in Arcadia, while Gentry carded a 2-over 74.

The Red Devils shot a four-person score of 321, which was good for fourth place, but only the top three teams advanced to regionals.
Senior Josh Sommerfield shot an 86 and senior Robert Becerra rounded out the scoring with an 89.
Avon Park would have been in the top three spots, but sophomore Clay Davis, who shot an 80, was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard.

"I felt bad for Clay," Red Devil coach Bobby Barben said. "He double-bogeyed the last hole to shoot an 80, but he signed for a 79. "He realized it meant he would be disqualified, but he knew it was the right thing to do and took responsibility for his mistake.
"I'm proud of all the kids because that was the smartest golf we've played all year in some very tough conditions."

Bradenton Prep, the two-time defending state champion, won the 11-team event with a 294.
Sebring's Rocky Khara, who plays on the Bradenton Prep squad, shot a 74.

Out Of Door Academy placed second with a 306, while Saint Stephens Academy finished third at 316.
Hardee finished fifth at 329, as Ben Krause shot a 78, Kaleb Saunders carded an 80, Brek McClenithan had an 84 and James Olliff finished with an 87.

"We just didn't play good enough today," Wildcat coach George Heine said. "The wind was blowing pretty hard and the kids did the best they could."

Lake Placid had a team score of 396, with sophomore Kyle Thompson leading the way with a 90.
Junior Logan Smith shot a 95, junior Jeff Jernigan carded a 103 and Cory Cook had a 108.
"We're a young team and we improved with each match we played," Green Dragon coach Dan Coomes said. "We've got a good foundation to work with and we're looking forward to next year."

In the girls competition at The Bluffs, Saint Stephens Academy finished first, while Sarasota Cardinal Mooney placed second and Braden River came in third.

Avon Park shot a 454 and junior Shelby Dressel shot a 104 to qualify as an individual for next Tuesday's Class 1A-Region 6 tournament at Imperial Golf Club in Naples.

Dressel has qualified for regional play for three consecutive years.
"Shelby hung in there and the wind kind of died down in the afternoon," said Red Devil coach Andrea Brown.

Freshman Sarah Hunnicutt shot a 112, junior Courtney Robinson had a 126 and sophomore Paige Moffat came in with a 134.
"I'm happy for Shelby because she has worked hard on her game," Brown said. "We had a good season, most of our girls come back and our golf program is on the rise."

Lake Placid had a team score of 517.
Senior Areesha Muzaffar led the way for the Green Dragons with a 111 and senior Beth Brown shot a 118.
"We have a real young team and we improved a lot over the course of the season," Lake Placid coach Jennifer Miller said.

The Sebring boys team ventured to Lakeland on Monday for the Class 2A-District 9 tournament at Bridgewater Country Club.
The Blue Streaks shot a team score of 345, which placed them fourth.
Sebring senior Aaron Snyder shot an 83, sophomore Blake Liles had an 83, Zach Foster carded an 89 and Cory Watt came in with a 90.

"The golf course is tough and the wind was brutal," said Blue Streak coach John Snyder. "We did the best we could in very difficult conditions and just came up a little short."

Bartow won the 12-team event with a 324, Lakeland George Jenkins placed second at 329 and Lakeland finished third with a 335.

Despite the disappointment of not advancing to regionals, Snyder was pleased with the season.
"We had a great season and we have some talented underclassmen coming back next year," the Sebring coach said.

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