TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Durant girls cruise to golf title

ADVERTISEMENT

By DAREK SHARP

dsharp@tampatrib.com

Published: October 28, 2009

PLANT CITY - Advancing through the state golf tournament is not supposed to be easy, but the Durant High girls' squad is starting to make it seem that way.

At last week's District 2A-11 meet in New Tampa, the Cougars not only placed first but did so by a margin of almost 10 shots per player over runner-up Wharton. And the effort came on Wharton's home course, Heritage Isles.

A similar name but different location awaited the Durant girls at the Region 2A-4 meet. The Cougars were scheduled to play Oct. 27 at Heritage Springs, a community course in Trinity just outside New Port Richey.

If Durant finished in the top two of the team standings, the Cougars will be making a return trip to the state tourney. That tees off next Tuesday in Ocala.

"Heritage Springs is not as tricked up as Heritage Isles," said Durant head coach Dick Sheffield after his team had a practice round at the regional site. "This course pretty much sets up straight; it's right there in front of you. At Heritage Isles you couldn't see where your shot was headed on a lot of the holes."

Not that it bothered the Cougars quartet of golfers, none of whom are seniors. Junior Erika Wardzinski shot a 76 in windy conditions Oct. 12 to lead all competitors at the tourney. Teammate Madison Opfer, a sophomore, was the only other player to shoot below 80 with her seven-over par 79.

Kerrie Reinhardt shot 85, and Olivia Higgins posted a 94 for a team total of 334. Wharton's second-place finish was 369, and Riverview also advanced by finishing third with a 393.

Comparing scores to the other regional qualifying teams shows that Durant's chief competitor was to be regional host Mitchell, which compiled a stellar 297 total in winning the 2A-12 meet. East Lake was runner-up there with a score of 330. From District 10, Plant shot 352, and no other team broke below 400.

Plant City finished out of contention to have its team advance from the district meet, but its sophomore tandem of Belinda George and Kelsey managed an outstanding feat: both moved on to compete individually at the regional level. (The top three overall scorers whose teams did not already advance were able to make the trip to regionals.)

George shot an 83 which was good for a third-place tie behind the two Durant golfers. Jensen had an 87, which was tied for ninth place.

Along those lines the Durant boys had a representative advance to that regional meet, junior Ryan Hamm. He went for a 79 at districts, held last Tuesday at Summerfield Crossings Golf Club in Riverview. The same course was to host the regional action on Oct. 26.

Plant City's boys came up a mere four strokes short of being able to qualify for regionals. Riverview rolled to victory with a 329, then Wharton came in second with 349 and Newsome was third at 351. Plant City finished in fifth place with a 355. Bloomingdale was fourth at 353.

Nick Jones led the Raiders with an 86 and freshman Hamilton Brown shot 87. Conner Hurst posted an 89, and Richard Elwell shot 93. None of those four are seniors.

Durant's girls advanced to the state tourney last year and were hoping to improve on that best showing of fourth place. The 2A Girls meet will be staged at Ocala Golf Club Tuesday and Wednesday with a 36-hole format.

The writer is employed part-time at radio station 620 WDAE-AM.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT