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Regional prep golf preview

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 25, 2009

BOYS

Class 2A-Region 4

Monday, 8 a.m., Summerfield

Crossings Country Club

Participating teams: Riverview (host), Wharton, Newsome, Plant, Chamberlain, Gaither, Palm Harbor University, Dunedin

Top local players: Ian McConnell, Riverview; Gary Buffington, Chamberlain; R.J. Slater, Riverview; Zach Johnson, Plant; Jimmy Stanger, Gaither.

Comment: Riverview has a big advantage, as the region is being played on the Sharks' home course. Outside the clubhouse where players will walk to the first tee box is a 2-foot sign that reads, "2008 Club Champion, Ian McConnell." And McConnell, by his own admission, knows the course inside and out. His 1-over 72 was enough to take the district title in windy conditions. Trying to stop him are some of the Tampa area's top golfers including Chamberlain junior Gary Buffington. Buffington earned the individual title at last week's 2A-District 10 tournament, shooting a 75 at Temple Terrace. Also shooting well at the 2A-10 tourney was Plant's Zach Johnson, who shot a 78, as did Gaither's Jimmy Stanger. From District 12, Palm Harbor University's Matt Cote helped lead the Hurricanes to a district title with a 73 at Fox Hollow in New Port Richey, while last year's low-round region shooter, East Lake's Linzy Clark, shot a 76.

Class 1A-Region 5

Monday, 9 a.m., The Eagles

Golf Course

Participating teams: Jesuit, Berkeley Prep (host), Steinbrenner, Avon Park, All Saints' Academy, Lakeland Christian, Calvary Christian, Northside Christian, Clearwater Central Catholic

Top local players: Blake Morris, Berkeley; Brian Lanoue, Jesuit; Anthony Maccaglia, Jesuit; Chandler Morris, Berkeley.

Comment: Berkeley's Blake Morris has been leading the way for the Buccaneers all season and the 1A-District 14 tournament was no different. Morris won the tourney with a 75 at Cheval, finishing four strokes ahead of the next three lowest players including Berkeley's Chandler Morris. Jesuit took the team title at 1A-14 with Brian Lanoue also shooting a 79. Along with Jesuit's No. 1 Anthony Maccaglia and No. 2 Lucas Trim, the Tigers might have a very good shot at a region title. Avon Park took the 1A-District 13 title behind 79s from Greg Gentry and Davis Clay, while Calvary Christian was led to a District 15 title with a 69 from Lee McCoy and a 73 from Taylor Hancock.

Class 1A-Region 3

Monday, 7:45 a.m.

Resort-Palmer Course

Carrollwood Day School's Ryan Hoverman, Cody Kramer and Taylor Ragan qualified as individuals.

GIRLS

Class 2A-Region 4

Tuesday, 11 a.m., Heritage

Springs Golf Course

Participating teams: Plant, Gaither, King, Durant, Wharton, Riverview, Mitchell (host), East Lake, Palm Harbor University

Top local players: Erika Wardzinski, Durant; Madison Opfer, Durant; Kelsey Gibson, King; Laura Hendee, Plant; Kelsey Eisch, Plant.

Comment: Durant and Plant are the clear front-runners. The Panthers have been consistent top to bottom with Hendee and Eisch leading the way along with Laura Benkowski. All three shot well in the 2A-District 10 tournament, finishing second, third and fourth, respectively, and leading Plant to the district title.

Durant earned its second straight district title behind Wardzinski's 76 and Opfer's 79, as the two were the only players to shoot better than 80 in the 2A-11 tournament at Heritage Isles.

King's Gibson shot a 75 to win the 2A-District 10 crown despite some flu-like symptoms, and should have a strong showing in the region tournament as well.

Class 1A-Region 5

Monday, 9 a.m., The Eagles

Golf Course

Participating teams: Academy of the Holy Names, Berkeley Prep (host), Steinbrenner, Avon Park, Frostproof, Lakeland Christian, Northside Christian, Indian Rocks Christian

Top local players: Alex Milan, Steinbrenner; Kayla Poff, Tampa Prep; Desiree Meyncke, Berkeley Prep; Lindsey Weiss, Berkeley Prep; Emmy Martin, Academy of the Holy Names; Mariah Diaz, Academy of the Holy Names.

Comment: As she has in play all season, Steinbrenner junior Milan dominated the 1A-District 14 tournament, shooting a 73 at Cheval to lead the pack by 14 strokes. Last season, while attending Sickles, Milan won the region tournament with a 64 at Heritage Isles and will look to take the crown again this year at The Eagles. Northside Christian's A.J. Newell had a strong showing winning the District 15 title with a 74 at Countryside Golf Course in Clearwater.

Academy of the Holy Names is a young team with three eighth-graders, a freshman and a senior on the team that won last week's District 14 title, but the front-runner for the region is Northside Christian.

BOYS

GIRLS

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