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Hernando Today

Eleven Up, Eleven Down

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR Hernando Today

Hernando Today

Published: October 21, 2008

It was a long day for Hernando County linksters across three regional golf tournaments. None of the county's 11 competitors advanced to the coveted state finals.

In the Class 2A, Region III meet at Middleburg's Eagle Landing Golf Course at the Oakleaf Plantation, both of Hernando County's remaining boys' teams - county and district champ Springstead and Central - reached the end of the line.

Ponte Vedra Beach-Nease captured the 9-team tourney behind a sizzling 18-hole, 291 total, three shots better than runner-up Jacksonville-Bartram Trail's 294.

As a result, those two teams will advance to next week's State Championship Tournament.

Lake Mary finished third behind a solid 305 total followed by Sanford-Seminole (SEMI) 317, Gainesville-Buchholz (BUCH) 319, Port Orange-Spruce Creek (SC) 337, Brooksville-Central (CEN) 342, Spring Hill-Springstead (SPG) 350 and Lecanto (LEC) 362.

CHS: TOUGH DAY

Central, which carded a third-place 338 total at Summerfield's Eagle Ridge Golf Club in districts to advance to regionals was led by junior Ryan Johnston (41-40--81).

Senior Palmer Berberette was next with a 42-43-85 total followed by junior Jeff Tumelty (42-45-87), freshman William Jackson (44-45-89) and junior Eric Coogan (46-50-96).

"I didn't do too good," commented the team's lone upperclassman, the 17-year-old Berberette. "I got a lot of doubles today. It was a fairly easy course and I did hit a decent amount of greens. It was just a little windy."

Any regrets?

"It was kinda hard being the only senior," replied Berberette. "Today there was little consolation in beating Springstead. But with the majority of the guys coming back next year, I think they should compete (for a regional crown).

CHS Head Coach Gary Morton, who saw his streak of six consecutive county titles conclude this year, thought Monday was an excellent learning tool."

"It is what it is," shrugged Morton, "We knew what we were getting into when we came up here. Three of the past four state champions have come from this region.

"Honestly, we were trying to shoot a little better than we did in districts," he pointed out. "That didn't happen but it was fun to beat everybody in our district. A year's worth of experience at this level will only help us next year. But we've also got to add some more depth."

What about Johnston's round?

"He was penalized on an odd call," indicated Morton, "Otherwise, he shoots an 80 today. He played the most consistent of all our kids. The course really didn't come into play. We've played on tougher courses than this. Yes, there was a little tail wind, but the weather wasn't a factor. The course played fair."

SHS: AN EVEN TOUGHER DAY

Fourth-year Springstead Head Coach Sonny Long's troops shot 32 shots worse than what they did last week at Eagle Ridge.

Eagle senior Kevin Hubbard and Ryan Kiely each carded 6-over-par 78s to lead SHS. Anthony Fiocca was next with a 92 followed by Mike DeCroix at 102. Shane Murphy did not play after suffering a broken arm last week.

SHUFORD, RULE: THIRD TIME NO CHARM

At Gainesville's Mark Bostick Golf Course at the University of Florida, the third time was not a charm for Hernando High junior Lauren Shuford.

Shuford, a three-time regional qualifier carded an 18-hole, 45-36-81 total.

After shooting a 79 at districts at Saddlebrook, the 17-year-old Shuford struggled out of the gate on the back nine.

"It was like she shot two separate rounds," described HHS Head Coach Kevin Bittinger. "She hit seven greens on the front side and only one on the backside."

Positives?

"What I liked most was she never quit," Bittinger said. "She could have easily packed it in after the first nine holes. But she showed her character by fighting back for that 36.

"She's disappointed," Bittinger added. "She wanted to go to states. It was kinda chilly in the morning but it warmed up as the day went on."

And the future?

"Lauren continues to get better and better," Bittinger added. "Hopefully, she takes her game to the next level next year."

Nature Coast Technical senior Anthony Rule also struggled in Alachua County.

Rule shot a 45-40-85 on the par 72 layout at the Gainesville Golf and Country Club.

"He started off very poorly," summed up NCT Head Coach Tom Brown. "He was six over after three holes. That's when he started battling back. I'm most proud of him today, because he could have caved in, but chose not to."

What about his third trip to regionals?

"It always seems like he has had one bad hole (in regionals)," added Brown. "He had 36 putts today, but didn't scare any greens."

Rule's future?

"He's definitely college material," indicated Brown. "He wants to play at the next level, even if he walks on. We made some swing changes this year and it didn't show up today. It may show up in the long run. When he struggled, he was reverting back to his old swing."

Final 2A-II Team Scores (Place, School, Points) - 1. Ponte Vedra-Nease (NEAS) 291, 2. JAX-Bartram Trail (BART) 294, 3. Lake Mary (LM) 305, 4. Sanford-Seminole (SEMI) 317, Gainesville-Buchholz (BUCH) 319, 6. Spruce Creek (SC) 337, 7. Brooksville-Central (CEN) 342, 8. Spring-Hill Springstead (SPG) 350, 9. Lecanto (LEC) 362.

CENTRAL (342) - Ryan Johnston 41-40--81, Palmer Berberette 42-43-85, Jeff Tumelty 42-45-87, William Jackson 44-45-89 and Eric Coogan 46-50--96.

SPRINGSTEAD (350) - Shane Murphy DNP, Kevin Hubbard 78, Ryan Kiely 78, Anthony Fiocca 92, Mike DeCroix 102.

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at (352) 544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.

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