Rule, Shuford Look to Advance

Nature Coast Technical senior Anthony Rule and Hernando junior Lauren Shuford will attempt to advance out of their respective regional tournaments today.

The Class 1A, Region III boys' tournament takes place at Gainesville Golf & Country Club with a 9 a.m. tee-off. The 1A-III girls' tournament starts the same time at the Mark Bostick Golf Course on the University of Florida campus.

The top two teams and top individuals not on those teams (provided they are within five strokes of the lead) advance to next week's Florida High School Athletic Association Finals.

Both players have prior regional experience. Rule made it last season, shooting an 18-hole, 8-over-par 80 to fall short of advancing.

"I think there are probably about 16 people that could take those two spots and I think Anthony is one of them," Nature Coast Head Coach Tom Brown said.

Shuford has reached regionals each of her first two years. In 2007, Shuford shot an 82, five shots off the lead but not good enough to move on.

"The last two years she's been there and I think nerves and inexperience got the best of her and we don't want that to happen again," Hernando Head Coach Kevin Bittinger said. "She's got all the golf shots. We just want to her play the golf she can, relax and enjoy it."