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West Finding Form As Cougars Prepare For Postseason

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By ADAM ADKINS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 9, 2007

There's hot, and then there's the type of play Durant High junior golfer Amy West has displayed during the past two weeks.

Already regarded as one of the top underclassmen in the area, West has taken her game to new heights recently. She has played her last three rounds a combined 5 under, which includes an even-par 36 at Bloomingdale against Bloomingdale on Sept. 27, a 2-under 34 at Walden Lake against Plant City on Oct. 1, and a 3-under 33 at River Hills against Plant on Thursday. The Cougars won all three matches.

'I'm trying to douse her, man,' Durant coach Dick Sheffield said. 'She's playing well, very well.'

Sheffield thinks a couple of things have factored into the recent stellar play from standout, notably getting comfortable with her driver and taking advantage of those long shots off the tee with a much-improved short game.

'She wasn't totally comfortable with her driver earlier in the year. Now, she's taking the big stick out and putting it out there,' Sheffield said. 'Also, when she gets inside 100 yards her distance control has gotten really good. She's been getting inside 10, 12 feet consistently.'

West's surge has come at a perfect time, as Durant's other standout, junior Heather Wengyn, has suffered a torn meniscus in her left knee as well as a wrist injury, Sheffield said.

Sheffield said he'll likely hold Wengyn out of the lineup the final week of the regular season with district tournaments taking place next week, but he said Wengyn will play through the pain in the postseason. That's good news, considering Wengyn was Durant's top postseason player last year.

Wengyn led the Cougars to a runner-up finish in the district (she finished third) and a region title (she finished fifth), which helped secure a state tournament berth.

'I think we'll be OK,' Sheffield said.

A LOOK AHEAD: District tournaments are scheduled for next Monday and Tuesday, and the host courses have been set. Here's a quick look at when and where Hillsborough County teams will be competing.

Monday (Boys): Class 2A-District 10 at Silver Dollar; Class 1A-District 14 at the Eagles

Monday (Girls): Class 2A-District 11 at Walden Lake; Class 2A-District 10 at Heritage Harbor; Class 1A-District 14 at the Eagles

Tuesday (Boys): Class 2A-District 11 at Walden Lake
CHIP SHOTS: Freedom's Greg Krzeminski tied the school record with his even-par 36 at Tampa Palms in a win against Spoto on Oct. 2, according to Coach Dwight Middleton. ... Gaither senior Alex Barfield, the Cowboys' captain, has found his game, Coach Jim Morrissey said. Barfield posted the low rounds in matches against Hillsborough and Sickles last week, carding a 38 at Emerald Greens on Oct. 2 and a 36 at Cheval on Thursday. ... King seniors Tyler Owens and A.J. Weil had their best rounds of the season in the Lions' win against East Bay on Oct. 2, Coach Barrett Zebos said. Owens shot a 43 and Weil shot 42. Weil followed with another 42 in a win against Leto on Thursday. ... Jesuit tied its season low team score of 151 on Thursday in a nine-stroke victory over Berkeley Prep. Trent Silver shot 1-under 35, Jack Twomey shot even par 36, and Dylan Malafronte and Sam Branham each carded 40s for the Tigers.

Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 657-4533 or aadkins@tampatrib.com.

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