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Hernando Today

An 'Eagle Landing'

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR. Hernando Today

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 20, 2008

The course has an appropriate name for the Springstead High Eagles, the newly crowned county and Class 2A, District 6 champions.

The Region II Tournament will take place today at Middleburg's Eagle Landing at Oakleaf Plantation.

Both Springstead and Central, a third-place finisher in 2A-6, will attempt to become one of the two teams that will advance to the Florida High School Athletic Association Finals next week.

The two top individuals not on those teams will also advance, provided they are within five strokes of the lowest individual score.

Last year, the Eagles made it as a third-place team and finished ninth with a score of 354.

"I expect a gigantic hill to climb," Springstead Head Coach Sonny Long said. "It's better than it was last year when we went to Orlando. I have higher expectations. I expect my guys to do their very best and if they do their very best we'll be competitive."

The Bears had won the previous two 2A-6 titles and have far more experience at this level.

Central Head Coach Gary Morton knows very well how tough this region is, considering defending state champ Ponte Vedra Beach-Nease will be competing, as well the 2004 and 2006 champion, Lake Mary.

"It's the best in the state every year," Morton said. "The state champion keeps coming out of our region. I expect it to be the same this year. I expect a team to shoot under 300 there, maybe two. It's one of the best in the country in high school golf."

Morton said he would like to see his team shave off at least 10 strokes from a 338 total at districts. In the 2007 regional tournament, the Bears came in seventh with a 326.

As for Springstead, the Eagles have already had a banner year for a program that hadn't accomplished much in recent memory.

"It's been an outstanding season," said Long, in his fourth season. "I'm proud of them. It's the best season since I've been here and it's all related to our move to World Woods as a home course."

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

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