Streaks Swing Toward Success

With nine returnees from last year's team, first-year Sebring High School boys golf coach Vince Liles has the luxury of having plenty of talent to choose from.

"I'm really excited about the season," Liles said. "Most of the kids on the team played on the Sertoma Junior Golf Tour over the summer and have worked hard to improve their games.

"With nine returning players from last year and the talent I saw in last week's tryouts, we should have a pretty strong team."

Leading the way for the Blue Streaks will be junior Blake Liles, who has been competing on varsity for three years.

Blake Liles had a strong season last year with a 39.4 average for nine holes, and was selected to the Highlands Today All-Heartland boy's golf team.

"Blake hits it really long off the tee and has been working on his course management," said the Blue Streak coach. "He had a good summer on the Sertoma Tour and if he can keep his ball in play and not be quite as aggressive, should be around par most of the time."

Senior Zach Foster, who averaged 39.9 for nine holes last year and was also selected to the All-Heartland golf team, is another long hitter for the Blue Streak linksters.

"Zach hits it really long," Vince Liles said. "He didn't get to practice much over the summer because he was working, but he averaged just over par in last week's qualifier.

"Zach's a hard worker and if he keeps the ball in play, should be able to shoot some low numbers."

Senior John Vicker Jr. is a three-year varsity player and he gives the Blue Streaks yet another power player.

"John hits it pretty far,' said Liles. "He is a complete player and has the ability to shoot par any time he tees it up."

Sophomore Sean Garner gained valuable experience on the varsity as a freshman and has the talent to contribute in a major way this season.

"Sean had a strong summer on the Sertoma Tour," said Liles. "He hits it long, but needs to work on his chipping and putting to lower his scores consistently."

Casey Lapadula saw some varsity action last year and has the skills to have an immediate impact this fall.

"Casey has been working on his game and it shows," said Liles. "He hammers the ball and just needs some improvement with his short game to be more consistent."

Senior Brett Drummond, junior Aaron Walkup and sophomores Tyler Sanders and Drew Hornick provide talented depth for the Blue Streak squad.

"All of those boys can play," said Liles. "They just need to step up on a more consistent basis."

Chase Berish and Seth Ziegler are newcomers to the team and are working hard to be able to contribute.

The Class 2A Blue Streaks went 23-8 last year, but didn't make it out of the District 9 tournament.

"We're in a very competitive district," Liles said. "But I think we have the talent to be a contender for the district title if we play up to our ability and improve as the season progresses."

Sebring opens the season on Monday with a tournament in Tarpon Springs.

"There should be some very good teams in the tournament," said Liles. "We want to play against good teams and see how we stack up.

"It should be a lot of fun this season and we're looking forward to competing."