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Hernando Today

A New Champion Crowned

Staff photo by BOB EAST III

Nature Coast's Ryan Butler watches his putt drop in the cup on the fourth hole while Hernando High's Bobby Conway looks on.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: October 9, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Ever since Gary Morton began his most recent coaching tenure at Central High, the Bears have sat atop the county.

That reign spans the previous seven seasons, and came to an end Thursday at Southern Hills Plantation Club.

The Bears found themselves in the unaccustomed spot of second place in the Hernando County Tournament, behind new champion Springstead.

"It's big, really big," Springstead Head Coach Sonny Long said. "This is the first time for us in a few years and I'm proud of it. I'm proud of my guys. These kids last year were struggling and this year they came through.

"…Since we moved to World Woods (Golf Club) this program has gone through the roof. We're fortunate to use World Woods as our home. Our practices are better, our quality of play is better and we owe that to World Woods."

Springstead totaled 335 across the 18-holes of the 6,455-yard course. Central posted a 344, followed by Hernando (347) and Nature Coast (364).

A heavy rainstorm swept through the area, delaying the match after most of the foursomes had made the turn and severely altering the conditions on the back nine.

The Eagles received the two top rounds from Kevin Hubbard and Ryan Kiely, who shot 77 and 79 respectively for the only sub 80 scores of the tournament.

"I played really good on the front nine," Hubbard said. "Consistency-wise, it was good. After the rain delay everyone struggled.

"It feels pretty good. I was kind of expecting to play this well. I felt since it was my senior year, it was my year to take the county championship."

"It's pretty special," said Kiely, a junior in his second year on the team. "We haven't really had a winning team. It's a big thing. Our coach is really excited and I'm happy we could do that for him.

"…Our coach said we're (he and Hubbard) the best 1-2 Springstead has ever had. It's pretty cool. We're really good friends. He's been playing a lot longer than me. He helps me through a lot of things."

Shane Murphy (89) and Anthony Fiocca (90) rounded out the Eagles' scoring. Mike DeCroix shot 93, but did not figure into the team total.

Central received an 82 from Ryan Johnston, 83 from Palmer Berberette, 85 from Jeff Tumelty and 94 from Billy Jackson. Eric Coogan was the fifth Bear with a 105.

"We finished second, which is OK," Coach Morton said. "We didn't play great. We played so-so. The rain got to everybody, not just our guys. We're playing a little better but we're not quite there yet."

Zack Teele led the Leopards with 82, followed by Mike Anderson (86), Jacob Geisler (87), Sean Kish (92) and Bobby Conway (111).

"We did as I expected," Hernando Head Coach Jessie Parkin said. "We got off to a rough start. Teele shot a real consistent round of 82.

"We were set up with a real good chance to win this year but going in I thought Springstead was the favorite and they shot the way they should have."

Anthony Rule, who led after the turn at 37, finished with an 81 to pace the Sharks. Dayne Dukes added an 88, Ryan Butler a 97, Greg Locke a 98 and Kevin Lain a 100.

"Everybody was affected by the rain," Nature Coast Head Coach Tom Brown said. "I'm not sure that we finished well. With the exception of one player, everybody fell apart after the rain. But we played good early."

2008 HERNANDO COUNTY TOURNAMENT
1. Springstead 335, 2. Central 344, 3. Hernando 347, 4. Nature Coast 364
Springstead (335): Kevin Hubbard 77, Ryan Kiely 79, Shane Murphy 89, Anthony Fiocca 90.
Central (344): Ryan Johnston 82, Palmer Berberette 83, Jeff Tumelty 85, Billy Jackson 94.
Hernando (347): Zack Teele 82, Mike Anderson 86, Jacob Geisler 87, Sean Kish 92.
Nature Coast (364): Anthony Rule 81, Dayne Dukes 88, Ryan Butler 97, Greg Locke 98.

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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