Rain stymies Sertoma golf

The recent thunderstorms that have helped to alleviate the drought in the Heartland, blew through the area on Thursday and forced the Sertoma Junior Golf Tour event at Golf Hammock Country Club to be shortened.

"Today was a wet day for golf," said Sertoma Junior Tour director Andy Kesling. "Because of the storms, we had to shorten the event.

"But we got enough golf in to make it an official event."

Avon Park High School linkster Greg Gentry finished first in the boys 17-18 age group with an even-par 36 for nine holes, while Sebring High standout Blake Liles placed a close second with a 1 over 37.

Red Devil golfer Clay Davis carded a 38, while Aaron Walkup came in fourth with a 40.

In the girls 14-18 division, Blue Streak golfer Camiel White won with a 41 for nine holes, while Red Devil player Paige Moffat came in second with a 46 and Lindsey Lovett claimed third at 49.

Sarah Liles shot a 51, Sara Hunnicutt came in with a 57 and Kara Norris carded a 58.

Sean Garner finished first in the boys 15-16 age group with a 39 for nine holes, while Taylor Martin placed second at 43, Drew Hornick finished third with a 44 and Colin Walkup came in fourth at 45.

Lincoln Saunders claimed fifth with a 48, Dalton Hewett came in with a 49 and Corey Fussell shot a 50.

In the girls 11-13 division, Kendall Griffin came in first with a 40 for seven holes, while Emily Waller placed second at 42, Avie Clark shot a 52 and Alex Hornick came in with a 67.

William Beattie finished first in the boys 13-14 age group, which played nine holes, with a 41, while Matt Seat and Bryson White tied for second at 45 and Addison Guthrie came in fourth with a 46.

Will Bennett came in fifth at 49, while Austin Tracey shot a 50 and Cody Lang finished with a 51.

In the boys 11-12 age group, which played six holes, Dustin Baber and Silas Berry tied with a 33, while Ben Tubbs shot a 36 and Nic Staffieri finished fourth with a 37.

Gunner Smoak finished fifth with a 39, Zack Garner shot a 41 and Cole Kilgo carded a 46.

In the boys 9-10 division, which completed nine holes, Charlie Anderson claimed first place with a 57, while Julian Crozier was a close second after firing a 58 and Chance Bertram came in third with a 63.

In the boys and girls ages 6-8 age group, which played six holes from 200-yards away from the green, Zach Doorlag finished first with a 51, while Seanna Hornick came in second with a score of 56.

"It was a tough day to play golf," Kesling said. "The kids did the best they could in some difficult conditions and I'm sure they would have liked to have finished their rounds.

"Most of the age groups are really competitive and each week the kids know they need to play well to stay in the hunt."

The next Sertoma Junior Golf Tour event is set for next Thursday at Torrey Oaks golf course in Bowling Green.

The Torrey Oaks layout is very tight and demanding and the tee times begin at 9 a.m.

"There are heated battles in most of the divisions and the Torrey Oaks course is one that requires you to hit the ball straight," said Kesling. "You can score if you keep the ball in play off the tee.

"It should be a fun day for the kids and it will be interesting to see who separates themselves from the pack in their age group."