NCT, Springstead Tie As Saddlebrook Prevails

In the end, the kids from the country club proved too deep in talent on the links for two local squads.
Both Nature Coast Technical and Springstead High faced Saddlebrook Prep Tuesday afternoon at Silverthorn Country Club, neither coming away with a victory despite the three-team format.
While Saddlebrook had five of six golfers score in the 40s (only the top four count toward the team score) and scored 172 overall, the Sharks and Eagles tied at 180.
"It was windy," Nature Coast Head Coach Tom Brown said. "Obviously, I don't think any team played all that good. The greens were high. The flags were on some awkward spots.
"I'm not disappointed with the outcome because I just felt like it was difficult conditions. I know we're a better team than that. I think we'll do better later."
Kiely shines
Junior Ryan Kiely of Springstead (2-4-1) posted the best round of the day, shooting a 37 across the par-36 front nine. That marked a personal best in his year and a half of competitive golf experience.
"The wind was pretty tough, I wasn't hitting a lot of full shots into the green," Kiely said. "These are probably the worst conditions we've played in since the season started.
"I was downwind on a few holes. That's kind of where I really capitalized. The third hole, par-5, I hit a good shot long, hit the chip and tapped in the putt. That really got my round going."
Hubbard added the second-lowest round of the match, shooting a 38. However, the Eagles were hurt by the absence of regular number three player Shane Murphy, who was out of town.
Anthony Fiocca shot a 52 and Mike DeCroix a 53 to round out Springstead's scoring.
"Up and down," Springstead Head Coach Sonny Long said. "My 'A' player (Kevin Hubbard) shot an outstanding round for him. My 'B' player (Ryan Kiely) shot the best competitive round of his life.
"The remainder of the team has work to do. We need to get four competitive scores like that and we'll be OK."
For Nature Coast (2-4-1), Dayne Dukes led the way with a 40, followed by Anthony Rule (44), Grant O'Quinn (46) and both Kevin Lain and Ryan Butler shot 50.
Saddlebrook (4-2) got a 41 out of Madhav Bal, a 42 from Jordi Torrent, a 44 from Jorge Webb and a 45 by Juan Secades. A 48 by Robbie Riehle did not count toward the team score.