Berube, 13, Tames Inverness G&CC

INVERNESS - Megan Berube has experienced success on the golf course numerous times. It's just that she's never had it quite this good.

In the first event of the North Suncoast Junior Golf Association's tournament season -- last week's scheduled opener at the Plantation Golf Resort in Crystal River was rained out -- Berube shot her best-ever 18-hole score, firing an even-par 72 to easily win the girls 10-18 advanced division Monday at Inverness Golf and Country Club.

"I've been shooting in the low 80s," Berube said. "My best low score for nine holes was a 33, and that was with a hole-in-one a year ago."

A Spring Hill resident, the 13-year-old Berube will be an eighth-grader this fall at the Challenger K-8. She's been playing golf for five years, and she does it for the obvious reason.

"It's really fun," she said simply. "I can go out with friends and just have fun."

Shooting a score that would make anyone jealous helps.

Next best in her division were Elisa Romero and Margaux Camara, who both shot 87 (Romero was awarded second on the second tiebreaker, best score over the last six holes).

What worked?

Asked what worked particularly well for her in this tournament, Berube replied, "Getting it up and down." Her play was remarkably consistent: She had two bogeys and two birdies in her 18 holes.

The victory capped a satisfying three-day stretch for Berube.

Last weekend, she played the Premier Junior Tour tournament at Hunter's Creek in Kissimmee, placing first in the two-day rain-shortened event. Berube carded a 37 over nine holes Saturday, then shot a 70 for 16 holes on Sunday.

Best of the rest

The best boys score in Monday's North Suncoast tour spot in Citrus County came from Austin Conners, whose 71 was a stroke better than Aaron Watson's 72. Ryan Conners, Austin's twin brother, and Weston Parrish tied for third with a 74.
"I hit a bunch of greens," noted the Citrus High School junior-to-be. "I just have to make some putts. Make your putts and you'll shoot a couple of shots better. But I did hit 15 greens."
David Hicks finished on top in the 13-15 boys advanced division, winning a tiebreaker against Mark Giardino. Both shot 73s, but Hicks had a 34 over the final nine holes while Giardino shot 37. Peter Gray was third with a 76.
In the 10-12 boys advanced division, Micah Sugioka posted a 62 for 12 holes to take top honors, with Dylan Nelson second with a 65 and Lucas Mylet third with a 71.
In the 10-18 girls intermediate division, Summer Meser was also a winner on a tiebreaker, finishing ahead of Brooke Dalton. Both shot 49 for nine holes. Ben Cash's 52 over nine holes was the low score in the 10-12 boys intermediate division, while Cory Brown was an easy winner in the 13-18 intermediate bracket with a 40 for nine holes. And in the 8-9 boys and girls division, Dakota Montgomery had a 34 for seven holes to edge Cameron Wyckoff, who shot a 35.
The next North Suncoast Junior tournament will be July 1 at The Dunes.

06-23 Final NSJGA Results at Inverness Golf and Country Club (top three finalists)
Boys and Girls 8-9 (Seven holes): 1. Dakota Montgomery, 34; 2. Cameron Wyckoff, 35; 3. Seth Kreinbrook, 36.
Boys Intermediate 10-12 (Nine holes): 1. Ben Cash, 52; 2. Michael Neely, 57 (won tiebreaker); 3. Jans Tamayo, 57.
Girls Intermediate 10-18 (Nine holes): 1. Summer Meser, 49 (won tiebreaker); 2. Brooke Dalton, 49; 3. Breanna Schuman, Micah Adams, 55.
Boys Intermediate 13-18 (Nine holes): 1. Cory Brown, 40; 2. Curtis Rogers, 49 (won tiebreaker); 3. Devin Eatmon, 49.
Boys Advanced 10-12 (12 holes): 1. Micah Sugioka, 62; 2. Dylan Nelson, 65; 3. Lucas Mylet, 71.
Boys Advanced 13-15 (18 holes): 1. David Hicks, 73 (won tiebreaker): 2. Mark Giardino, 73; 3. Peter Gray, 76.
Girls Advanced 10-18 (18 holes): 1. Megan Berube, 72; 2. Elisa Romero, 87 (won tiebreaker); 3. Margaux Camara, 87.
Boys Advanced 16-18 (18 holes): 1. Austin Conners, 71; 2. Aaron Watson, 72; 3. Ryan Conners, Weston Parrish, 74.