Khara Claims Another One

Not even the heat and oppressive humidity of a mid-July day bothered Rocky Khara in Thursday's Sertoma Junior Golf Tour event at Lake Wales Country Club.

The 16-year-old phenom blistered the demanding 6,489-yard, par 72 Lake Wales course by shooting a 3-under 69 to win the overall title, as well as the boys 17-18 age group.

Khara's round included four birdies against only one bogey, while Avon Park's Greg Gentry placed second with a 77. Blake Lilkes and Clay Davis tied for third at 79, while John Vicker Jr. carded an 80.

The weekly Sertoma tournament attracted 48 players, who had to deal with the tough playing conditions.

"Today was very hot, but I thought the kids did a great job of getting around the course in that kind of heat," said Sertoma Junior Golf Tour director Andy Kesling. "It takes a lot to walk 18 holes while carrying your bag in that heat."

Sean Garner won the boys 15-16 age group with an 85, Jason Sava placed a close second with an 86, while Taylor Barlow came in third at 87 and Evan Danzey finished fourth with a 90.

In the girls 14-18 age group, Camiel White won with a 94, while Paige Moffat and Sarah Liles tied for second ay 109 and Lindsey Lovett came in fourth at 125. Nisha Patel won the girls 12-13 age group, which played nine holes, with a 65. In the girls 10-under division, Kendall Griffin finished first with a 54, while Avie Clark placed second with a 95.

Dalton Hewett won the boys 13-14 age group with a 95, Colin Walkup came in second with a 96 and Austin Tracey finished third with a 100. In the boys 11-12 age group, which played nine holes, Joey Staffieri won with a 49, while Silas Berry placed second with a 54 and Lee Hinote came in third with a 57.

In the boys 9-10 division, Jett Dexter finished first with a 52, Ben Tubbs placed second with a 54 and David Degenaro came in third with a 58.

Julian Crozier won the boys 6-8 age group, which played six holes, with a 34.

"There were some very close age groups today, and that's good to see," said Kesling, who is an assistant pro at Sun "N Lake Country Club. "The competition is good for the kids and it should motivate them to practice to get better.

"As close as the age groups are, whoever works the hardest has a good chance to win. I can't thank the staff at Lake Wales Country Club enough because the course was in great shape and the facilities were outstanding."

The next Sertoma Junior Golf Tour event is the Bill Jarrett Ford Match Play Championships on July 16-17 at River Greens Golf Course.

Sertoma Junior Tour Event No. 5 at Lake Wales

Country Club, July 10

Boys 17-18 (18 holes)

1. Rocky Khara, 69

2. Greg Gentry, 77

T-3 Blake Liles, 79

T-3 Clay Davis, 79

5. John Vicker, 80

6. John Tracey, 82

7. Casey Lapadula, 86

Boys 9-10 (9 holes)

1. Jett Dexter, 52

2. Ben Tubbs, 54

3. David Degenaro, 58

4. Austen Flannery, 59

5. Brock Barnicle, 65

Boys 6-8 (6 holes)

1. Julian Crozier, 34

Boys 15-16 (18 holes)

1. Sean Garner, 85

2. Jason Sava, 86

3. Taylor Barlow, 87

4. Evan Danzey, 90

5. Drew Hornick, 94

6. Ryan Tracey, 99

7. Aaron Walkup, 100

8. Corey Fussell105

Girls 14-18 (18 holes)

1. Camiel White, 94

T-2. Paige Moffat, 109

T-2. Sarah Liles, 109

4. Lindsey Lovett, 125

5. Michelle Kennedy, 146

Girls 10-Under (9 holes)

1. Kendall Griffin, 54

2. Avie Clark, 95

Girls 12-13 (9 holes)

1. Nisha Patel, 65

Boys 13-14 (18 holes)

1. Dalton Hewett, 95

2. Colin Walkup, 96

3. Austin Tracey, 100

4. Daniel Miller, 103

5. William Beattie, 107

6. Will Bennett, 124

7. Cody Lang, 125

8. Trenton Moon, 128

9. Joseph Degenaro, 131

10. Killian Clark, 147

11. Kevin Ladue, 153

Boys 11-12 (9 holes)

1. Joey Staffieri, 49

2. Silas Berry, 54

3. Lee Hinote, 57

T-4. Waylon Luke, 59

T-5. Zach Garner, 59

T-6. Terrell Williams, 68

T-6. Tariq Ausaf 68

8. Travis Kennedy, 70

See Page 3 for Sertoma Scoreboard