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Highlands Today

Gentry in the hunt at state tourney

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By MARK PINSON

Highlands Today

Published: November 5, 2009

DUNNELLON - Despite making a double bogey on his first hole of the day, Avon Park junior Greg Gentry kept his composure and managed to shoot a 1-over-par 73 in Tuesday's first round of the boys Class 1A state golf tournament at Juliette Falls Golf and Spa Community.

Gentry, who started on the back nine, carded nines of 39-34 over the 6,800-yard, par-72 Juliett Falls layout, which features a number of holes with water hazards.

Gentry bounced back from his opening double bogey with several birdies and an eagle to shoot 74, which tied him for 14th place after the first round of play.

"I didn't play very well on my first nine holes," said Gentry. "I didn't feel nervous, but I hit a terrible drive on the first hole and made a 6. I hit it much better on the second nine and almost made a double-eagle on the second hole with a 3 iron from 225 yards out.

"This is a real nice course with a lot of water and waste bunkers, but it's not playing that long and there are a lot of birdie opportunities if you keep the ball in play off the tee."

Gentry had another opportunity to lower his score in Wednesday's final 18 holes and the Red Devils linkster hoped to accomplish his goal of finishing in the top 10.

Gentry trailed leaders Kevin Jorden of Cardinal Newman (West Palm Beach) and Archbishop McCarthy's (Fort Lauderdale) Jesse Perkins, who each shot 67.

"I'm just going to go for any chances I get," said Gentry. "I've got to shoot under par if I want to finish in the top 10.

"There are a lot of people here and this has been a neat experience for me and I'm hoping some of the college coaches notice how I play because I really want to play college golf."

Sebring's Rocky Khara, who is a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School in Bradenton, shot an opening 75 in the first round of the boys Class 2A state tournament at Silver Springs Shores Country Club in Ocala.
Khara trails leader James Monnerville of Vero Beach, who shot a sizzling 66. Khara, who plays on the Sertoma Junior Tour in Highlands County in the summer, is being looked at by several Division 1 schools. Khara took a recent official visit to the University of Michigan to check out the Wolverines golf program.

For complete results on Gentry and Khara's final round, be sure to check out Friday's Highlands Today sports section.

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

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