Sebring linksters cruise to victory

The Sebring boys golf team took advantage of its home-course knowledge to finish first in a tri-match with Avon Park and Auburndale on Thursday on the Turtle Run course at Sun 'N Lake Country Club.

Sebring came in first with a four-person team score of 177 for nine holes, while Auburndale placed second with a 193 and Avon Park finished third with a 197.

The Blue Streaks were led by sophomore L.C. Smith's 42, while seniors Tyler Sanders and Sean Garner each had a 44 and sophomore Colin Walkup came in with a 46 to round out the team scoring.

"I'm pleased with how we played considering it was our first match of the year," said Sebring golf coach Vince Liles. "We've got a number of talented players and good depth and I think we're going to have a solid year.

"Turtle Run is a good course and the greens were very fast, so our scores were pretty good with the number of three-putts we had."

Avon Park was led by Greg Gentry's 37, Trey Marley and Waylon Luke each shot 52 and Clint Faircloth carded a 56.

Sebring will compete in the East Lake Invitational in Tarpon Springs today against a number of talented golf programs.

"This tournament always has some very good teams in it," Liles said. "We'll see how we stack up with some of them, but I like how we're swinging the clubs and with a little more practice we should be in good shape."

GIRLS GOLF: Streaks whip Wildcats

WACHULA - The Sebring girls golf team cruised to a 24-stroke victory over Hardee at Torrey Oaks Golf Club on Thursday.

The Blue Streaks carded a team score of 186, which was a 16-shot improvement from Tuesday's match, while Hardee carded a four-person team score of 210 for nine holes over the tight and demanding course.

"We did really well," said first-year Sebring girls golf coach Lisa Lovett. "I was really excited for the girls."

Sophomore Lindsey Lovett had the low score on the team, finishing with a nine-hole total of 39, one stroke better than teammates Sarah Liles and Savanna Fisher.

Coach Lovett said the trio had been together for three years and that was the lowest combined score they had ever shot.

"The girls played solid golf," she said. "I heard them talking about missing a few birdie putts."

Lauren Welborn rounded out the scoring with a 67, a solid 12-shot improvement over her score on Tuesday.

Coach Lovett said Welborn and Bailee Sanders deserved a lot of credit for picking up the golf clubs for the first time to ensure the team has enough players to qualify for a team score.

"Lauren and Bailee are both real troopers," she said. "We needed a fourth score and they're working hard and I'm sure their scores are going to continue to improve. We're going in the right direction."

The Blue Streaks will play in Bartow next Thursday.

Both the Sebring boys and girls teams will host the annual Crutchfield/Hawkins Invitational on Sept. 20.

The boys tournament, which will take place at Sun 'N Lake Country Club, will have more than 45 teams, while the girls event, which will have more than 18 teams, will be at Highlands Ridge North.