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Panthers Looking To Fill Holes

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By ADAM ADKINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 26, 2008

TAMPA - The Plant boys golf team has been Hillsborough County's best each of the past two seasons, but for the Panthers to stay on top in 2008 they'll have a few hills to climb.

In addition to losing starters Carter Ilgenfritz and Cory Castillo to graduation, Plant also lost Charlie Martin (attending school in North Carolina) and Coach Mike James (resigned). It's not exactly the formula the Panthers hoped to follow in an effort to make a third consecutive run to the Class 2A state tournament.

Nevertheless, things are not all bad. The Panthers return senior Doug Letson and junior Charles Silverfield, their top two players from 2007, and both players still think the Panthers have the makings of a solid squad.

"I still feel like we will be one of the teams to beat in the county," Letson said.

The key for the Panthers this season will be to find a few players to fill the voids at the end of the lineup. Among the potentials to fill those roles are seniors Tyler Hagan and Mike Dempsey and junior George Hodges.

Also, the Panthers' new coach, Dan Vona, is no stranger to the game. Vona was a captain of the Penn State golf team in the early 1990s.

"He's a great guy with great credentials," Silverfield said.

Whether everything new will mesh perfectly this season and result in Plant again playing in the season's final tournament remains to be seen. One thing is for sure: Letson and Silverfield are eager to find out how things shake out.

"It will be interesting," Silverfield said. "It all depends on what our other players do. You can't have a golf team based on two or three players. We have to figure out who are the other players and you have to find some other people who can give you that low round on a consistent basis."

Said Letson: "If we all just play our game, I think everything will take care of itself."

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

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