TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Boys golf: Name game pays off for Sharks' McConnell

ADVERTISEMENT

By JARRETT GUTHRIE Tribune correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 8, 2009

What's in a name? Well, Riverview's Ian McConnell knows, but he's keeping the secret to himself.

McConnell said he was restless and couldn't get to sleep Tuesday night, when he decided he would try a new trick to rhythmically tweak his golf swing.

"It was really weird how I came up with it," McConnell said. "I was lying in bed last night and I had been struggling with my swing tempo and I put it to the test on the range today and I was hitting the ball really well.

"I just decided to stick with it."

McConnell said he decided on a name he would recite in his head with the first name on his backstroke and the last name on his follow through. That name, though, is staying a secret, according to the senior.

"I had to choose someone with a two-syllable first name that I would say when I take it back and say the last name when you follow through," McConnell said. "But I'm not going to say the name."

McConnell's new technique paid off as he set a school record shooting a 32 at Summerfield against Bloomingdale as Riverview (11-0) beat the Bulls 153-166. McConnell birdied the first hole, before a bogey on the second, then had three straight birdies to set up his round, and also birdied No. 8.

"I've been trying for two or three years to get the record," McConnell said. "This has definitely been my regular-season goal this year."

Another school record at Riverview

Not to be outdone, Riverview's Julia McQuilken set the school record for girls golfers, shooting a 35 Wednesday as she led the Sharks to a win against Bloomingdale.

McQuilken has had solid rounds all season, including a 38 against King and Chamberlain on Sept. 22, and a 39 in a loss to Durant on Sept. 10.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT