Local Sports

Blue Streak linksters start strong

Photos

Mark Pinson | Highlands Today
Published: September 6, 2012

SEBRING - After being rained out in their season opener last week, the Sebring boys golf team started the season on a positive note with a pair of wins on Tuesday at Sun 'n Lake Golf Club.

The Blue Streaks shot a four-person team score of 159 for nine holes over the demanding Turtle Run course, while Hardee placed second with a 174 and Fort Meade came in a distant third at 272.

Leading the way for Sebring was the duo of junior Terrell Williams and freshman Nic Staffieri who each shot a 2-over 38, while sophomore Jeremy Camino carded a 41 and senior Colin Walkup came in with a 42.

"I'm pleased with our team score," said Sebring boys golf coach Vince Liles. "The boys have been working hard on their games and it paid off in today's match.

"Terrell and Nic had solid rounds and that's good news for our team."

Sebring, which made it out of districts last year, failed to advance to the state tournament, but the Blue Streaks didn't lose any players to graduation and have a lot of depth this year.

"We have a number of solid players and qualifying for matches is very competitive," said Liles. "Most of our guys have been playing golf for a few years and have been playing on the Sertoma Junior Golf Tour during the summer to improve their games."

Sebring is back on the links today with an away match against McKeel Academy at Wedgewood Country Club.

"McKeel Academy has a good team and this should be a good test for us," Liles said. "This is our first away match and it's always more difficult when you go on the road and play a different course."

The Avon Park girls golf team kept their perfect record intact by beating Lake Wales on Tuesday at River Green golf course to improve to 2-0.

The Red Devils shot a four-person team score of 220 for nine holes while Lake Wales came in at 226.

Avon Park was paced by senior Lindsey Moffat who shot a 50, senior Shannon Miranda came in with a 52, freshman Sara Heier and junior Kimberly Norton each shot a 59 to round out the team score.

"I'm real excited that we won, but we didn't play our best," said Avon Park girls golf coach Suzie Gentry. "We left a few shots out on the course and that's something we need to work on as the season progresses."

Meredith McKenna of Lake Wales was the medalist with a 45 over the tight River Green course.

Avon Park is on the road Tuesday with an away match against Tenoroc at Shalamar Golf Club in Lakeland.

"That's our first away match and the girls are excited about playing a different course," the Red Devils coach said. "Shalamar is a short course and every hole is tree-lined. We had our district tournament there three years ago and you have to hit the ball straight or your in trouble.

"We won't need to hit drivers on most of the holes because it's short and the best way to score well is to keep the ball in play."

mpinson@highlandstoday.com (863) 386-5837