Donnelly, Baker claim golf titles
Ida Baker freshman Blake Donnelly fired a team-best round of 77 on Monday in the District 2A-20 Tournament on his home course at Palmetto Pine to claim the individual district championship and lead the Bulldogs to the team title.
“This was a nice comeback for us,” said Bulldogs coach Scott Conforte. “I am just thrilled for Blake, to win the district title as a freshman speaks for our program.”
Donnelly led the Bulldogs to a title-winning team score of 324, beating runner-up Cypress Lake with 393 and third-place Cape Coral at 406.
All three teams advance to the Region 2A-7 Tournament next Monday at Port Charlotte Golf Club. The top three individuals not on an advancing team also qualify individually. Island Coast sends Hank Owens, who shot 93, and Forest Theune, who shot 86, and Mariner sends Joe Sagi, who shot 86.
Island Coast placed fourth in the nine-team district with a score of 430, followed by Mariner with 433, North Fort Myers with 470 and LaBelle with 492. Dunbar and Lehigh did not earn a team score with just two players each.
Alex DiLallo backed his Bulldogs teammate with a round of 80 on the par-72 course. Adrian Strey added 83 and Ben Hunt 84.
(Boys) at Palmetto Pine Country Club
Team Scores – 1. Ida Baker 324; 2. Cypress Lake 393; 3. Cape Coral 406 (top 3 teams advance to regionals); 4. Island Coast 430; 5. Mariner 433; 6. North Fort Myers 470; 7. LaBelle 492; 8/9. Dunbar & Lehigh (two players each).
Individuals – Joe Sagi (Mariner) 86; Hank Owens (Island Coast) 93; Forest Theune (Island Coast) 96. (top 3 individuals advancing not on qualifying team )
Ida Baker 324 – Blake Donnelly 77 (first overall), Alec DiLallo 80, Adria Strey 83, Ben Hunt 84.