Devils Chip Past Dragons

Battling gusty conditions and opening-match nerves, the Avon Park girls golf team managed to cruise past Lake Placid by a score of 227-262 at River Greens golf course on Thursday afternoon.

Red Devil junior Paige Moffat led the way with a 47, sophomore Sarah Hunnicutt carded a 57, while senior Courtney Robinson and sophomore Angela Bateman rounded out the scoring.

"This was our first match of the season, and the girls were definitely a little nervous," said Avon Park first-year coach Suzie Gentry. "It was very hot and windy and it took the girls a few holes to settle down.

Moffat's 47 was a personal best on the demanding River Greens course.

"Paige was calm and played a very steady round," said Gentry. "She has one of the best putting strokes on the team and it worked for her today."

Playing in the windy conditions was a valuable learning experience for most of the girls.

"Courtney hits it long off the tee, but she hasn't had much experience playing in these kinds of conditions," said Gentry. "This was Angela's first varsity match and I thought she handled the pressure and the playing conditions really well.

"It was good for our entire team to play in this kind of wind because it will only make us better players."

Lake Placid senior Ashleigh Barben, junior Weslee Davis, junior Ansley Stewart and sophomore Jessica Honkala competed for the Green Dragons.

"It was good to start the season," said Lake Placid coach Jennifer Miller. "The girls have been working on their games and I know we'll improve as the season progresses."

Both teams are back in action on Monday when Lake Placid hosts Avon Park, DeSoto and Hardee in a quad-match at Placid Lakes Country Club.