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Highlands Today

Match Play Tourney A Unique Event

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By MARK PINSON Highlands Today

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 18, 2008

AVON PARK - The Sertoma Junior Golf Tour offers junior golfers in the Heartland the opportunity to compete in various formats and over different courses during the summer to help improve their games.

The Bill Jarrett Ford Match Play Championships provides youngsters ages 5-18 the chance to compete in match play instead of stroke play over two days at River Greens golf course.

In Wednesday's first round of play, which was completed despite rain in the area, Sebring High School linkster Blake Liles defeated Casey Lapadula 5 and 4 in the boys 17-18 age group, while Avon Park golfer Greg Gentry eased past John Vicker 4 and 3. That set up a match between Liles and Gentry on Thursday for their age group championship.

Results were not available at press time. For complete coverage, see Saturday's Highlands Today.

"We were able to somehow dodge the rain and get all the matches in,' said Andy Kesling, Sertoma Tour director and an assistant professional at Sun 'N Lake Country Club. "This is my favorite tournament of the year because it gives the kids a chance to play a different format where you're playing in a hole-by-hole match, and if you have a bad hole, it doesn't really matter."

In the boy's 15-16 age group, Sean Garner knocked off Aaron Walkup 2 and 1, while Jason Sava edged Taylor Barlow 2-up. Garner and Sava played in the finals on Thursday.

In the girl's 14-18 division, Camiel White got past Lindsey Lovett 3 and 1, while Sarah Liles defeated Paige Moffat 3 and 1, to set up a final match between White and Liles.

In the boy's 13-14 age group, Daniel Miller edged Dalton Hewett 1-up, while Colin Walkup beat Austin Tracey 1-up, to set up a final between Miller and Walkup.

Silas Berry cruised past Bradley Brewer 5 and 4 in the boy's 11-12 age group, while Joey Staffieri won 5 and 4 over Zack Garner, to set up a final between Berry and Staffieri.

In the boy's 9-10 age group, Ben Tubbs knocked off Brock Barnicle 5 and 3, while Nick Staffieri defeated Austen Flannery 6 and 5, to set up a final between Tubbs and Staffieri.

"We had some close matches and that's great experience for the kids," said Kesling. "This is a great event and we can't thank the folks at Bill Jarrett Ford enough because they do a tremendous job of sponsoring the tournament and providing food and drinks for the kids over both days of play."

Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-386-5837 or mpinson@highlandstoday.com

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