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Mark Pinson | Highlands Today
Published: December 28, 2012

Growing up as part of a golfing family and learning to play the game at a young age gave Sarah Liles an advantage over a lot of her competitors.

But it was her dedication and work ethic that helped the Sebring senior develop into an accomplished player on the links.

Liles, a four-year varsity player, averaged a team-low 41 for nine holes and shot an 81 at the Class 2A-District 8 tournament in Lakeland to help the Blue Streaks place second and qualify for regionals.

Liles continued her solid play with an 83 at the Class 2A-Region 3 tournament at Windermere Country Club, but the Blue Streaks failed to advance to the state tournament.

"Sarah has a lot of ability and worked very hard on her game," said Sebring girls golf coach Lisa Lovett. "She comes from a golfing family and she was hitting range balls and practicing all the time.

"She has a great attitude, was a team captain and the other girls respected and looked up to her."

For her ability and accomplishments, Liles has been selected as the 2012 Highlands Today All-Highlands Girls Golfer of the Year.

"Being selected as the Girls Golfer of the Year definitely means a lot to me," said Liles. "It's something I've looked forward to my entire high school career.

"My brother Blake was the boys golfer of the year two years ago and it's nice to be able to carry on the family tradition."

The team:

Lindsay Moffat, senior, Avon Park: Moffat played varsity golf for four years and had a team-best average of 44 for nine holes. Moffat carded an 87 at the Class 1A-District 13 tournament and qualified for the regional tournament as an individual this year and her freshman season.

Moffat has signed to play golf at Webber International University next fall.

"Lindsey has a great work ethic," said Avon Park girls golf coach Suzie Gentry. "She practiced all the time and was motivated to improve in every aspect of the game.

"She had high goals for herself and I'm really going to miss coaching her, but I know she'll do well playing college golf."

Laine Callahan, freshman, Lake Placid: Callahan averaged a team-best 53 for nine holes in her first year of varsity golf for the Green Dragons.

"Laine is a pleasure to coach and has the potential to be a very good golfer," said Lake Placid girls golf coach Jackie Coyne. "She has an amazing swing, a great attitude and got better as the season progressed."

Megan Crews, sophomore, Sebring: Crews averaged 50 for nine holes for the Blue Streaks this season.

"Megan is a really hard worker," said Coach Lovett. "She wants to improve so badly and overcame some ups and downs during the season to shoot an 88 at the regional tournament."

Shannon Miranda, senior, Avon Park: Miranda, in her second year of varsity golf, averaged 57 for nine holes for the Red Devils.

"Shannon got the golf bug and really came on during the season," Gentry said. "She had the desire to improve and has the potential to become a solid player."

Alex Coyne, senior, Lake Placid: Coyne, in her only year of varsity golf, averaged 56 for nine holes for the Green Dragons.

"Alex is a very athletic and really improved as the season went on," said Coach Coyne. "She worked hard to improve and became a pretty consistent golfer."

Meghan Griffin, freshman, Sebring: Griffin averaged 51 for nine holes in her first season of varsity golf for the Blue Streaks.

"Meghan fell in love with the sport and started working really hard on her game," Lovett said. "She started taking her scores seriously and I expect good things from her next year."

Avie Clark, freshman, Sebring: Clark averaged a 52 for nine holes for the Blue Streaks her first season.

"Avie started to take the game seriously and wanted to improve," Lovett said. "She has the potential to be a solid golfer and I'm looking forward to seeing her play next year."

Honorable mention:

Sarah Heier: freshman, Avon Park: Heier had an average of 62 for nine holes for the Red Devils in her first year of varsity golf.

"Sarah is very strong and has a lot of athletic ability," Gentry said. "I hope she comes back to play golf next year because she has a lot of potential."

Brooke Scranton, junior, Avon Park: Scranton, in her third year of varsity action, averaged 63 for nine holes for the Red Devils.

"This was a learning year for Brooke," Gentry said. "She played as a right-hander her first two years, but played left-handed this season. She is actually left-handed and struggled with the transition, but she worked hard and her game gradually improved.

"She's going to be one of two seniors next year and I know she'll work hard over the summer to have her game ready."

Kim Norton, junior, Avon Park: Norton had an average of 71 for nine holes for the Red Devils.

"Kim was a softball player who had never held a golf club before the season started," Gentry said. "We had to get rid of her softball swing and she had her ups and downs, but she is eager to learn and is very coachable."

Coach of the Year:

For guiding the Blue Streaks to second place at their district tournament and advancing to regionals, Sebring's Lisa Lovett has been selected as the Highlands Today All-Highlands Girls Golf Coach of the Year.

mpinson@highlandstoday.com (863) 386-5837