Golfers need ‘A’ game for district title
Scores throughout the high school golf season show the individual talent spread out on area teams like Cape High, Mariner and Ida Baker. The challenge Monday is getting those players to bring their “A” game.
It’s essential to making a run at the team title at the District 2A-15 Tournament at Arrowhead Golf Club in Naples. Play begins at 11 a.m.
“We’ll be very happy with a top-five finish,” Cape coach Charlie Pease said. “We still need to fill that fourth spot. Somebody has to come in and play well for us to be in contention.”
The math doesn’t lie. The Seahawks were one of the teams that took a step forward last Monday at the LCAC Championship, with three players scoring 77 or below.
Junior Tyler Doyle led the way with an even-par 71 to claim medalist honors. Senior H Halverson shot 76 and freshman Anthony Myers 77, placing three Seahawks on the all-conference team.
The Seahawks’ fourth score of 93 left them nine strokes behind champion Fort Myers. A fourth score of 83 or below was needed for the Seahawks to take the top spot.
“I feel our top three is as good as any top three in the district,” Pease said.
The 12 schools that make up the district will use five players Monday with the top four scores counting toward the team standings. The top three teams and top three individuals not on those teams all advance to regionals.
LCAC champion Fort Myers and several of the Collier County schools figure to be a factor.
The Ida Baker Bulldogs may have a foursome that can contend, based on their performance at LCAC.
Juniors Dylan Fine and Bryr Austen led with 77 each, but the team showed its depth with junior Michael Faulkner posting 78 and senior Ryan Gallick 82.
The Bulldogs finished as LCAC runner-up with 314, six strokes behind Fort Myers. They broke 160 as a team for the first time last Wednesday against Port Charlotte and again Thursday against North Fort Myers.
“We’re feeling pretty good actually,” Baker coach Scott Conforte said. “We’re peaking at the right time for the first time in a long time.”
Braden Junkins turned in the top score for Mariner at LCAC with 76, leading the Tritons to a score of 327.
C.J. Cricco, Dean Hofer and Kyle Schulte have shown the potential to shoot low rounds for the Tritons.
The girls’ District 2A-15 Tournament is Tuesday at Worthington Country Club in Bonita Springs. Tee time is 11:30 a.m.
Cape’s Regina Sin, Baker’s Miko Dougherty and North’s Brittany Agricola have been the top players at their respective schools this season, though they’ll need to improve significantly from their LCAC scores.
Sin, a junior, shot an 85 to lead the Seahawks. Coach Jodie Godwin said she has more potential because of her ability to drive the ball.
“She drove the ball farther than any girl in the conference. Her drives were 10-15 yards farther than anybody else,” Godwin said. “She’ll do really well if she tightens up her short game.”
North coach Al Coffin said the individuals likely to break 80 have a realistic shot at advancing past districts.
The West Zone schools have pressed on this season despite mostly inexperienced teams and declining numbers due to the economy.
“It comes down to the economy,” Coffin said. “If a family can afford to be members of a golf course, the kids can be out there all the time if they choose to do that. We’re teaching girls to play golf (in high school).”
When the District 1A-17 Tournament begins Monday at Gateway Golf Club in Fort Myers, the host Bishop Verot Vikings hope to start another run to state.
The Vikings (14-0) have three of their top players back from last year’s team that placed eighth at the 1A Finals in Lakeland.
Senior Chase Marinell has compiled a nine-hole average of 35 over 14 matches, junior Jack Hernandez averages 36 and junior Austin Lee is at 38.