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Highlands Today

Blue Streaks Drive Over Eagles

Brian Gjurgevich/Highlands Today

Sebring's Blake Liles tees off on hole No. 9 Thursday at Sun 'N Lake's Deer Run golf course during a match against George Jenkins.

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By MARK PINSON Highlands Today

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 13, 2008

SEBRING - Despite howling winds, Sebring junior Blake Liles fired a 2-over-par 38 to lead the Blue Streaks boys' golf team to a victory over Lakeland George Jenkins on Thursday at Sun 'N Lake Country Club.

Sebring shot a four-person team score of 168, while the Eagles came in with a 179.

"It was super windy," said first-year Blue Streak coach Vince Liles. "That was some of the toughest conditions we've played in, but the boys hung in there and got the job done.

"The Deer Run course is always tough, but the high wind really made it difficult to score."

Sebring senior Zach Foster managed to shoot a 41, sophomore Tyler Sanders came in with a 42 and senior Casey LaPadula shot a 47.

"That's a higher score than we normally shoot," said Coach Liles. "But under the conditions, it's not that bad.

"We're used to playing tough courses, but the wind was something else."

Sebring is back in action on Monday when it hosts the annual Crutchfield/Hawkins Invitational at Sun 'N Lakes Country Club.

"We've got forty-four teams scheduled to compete in the tournament, including defending state champion Circle Christian," said the Blue Streak coach. "This is one of the strongest fields in the history of the event and we're looking forward to playing."

The one-day, 18-hole tournament is a good barometer for the Blue Streaks to see how they stack up with some of the top teams in the state.

"We want to play a tough schedule and compete against the best teams," said Coach Liles. "We won't see some of these teams again until the district or regional tournament and this gives us an idea of where we stand.

"This is a great tournament and we want to continue to improve during the season and be playing our best golf when the district tournament rolls around."

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

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