GOLF: Ridgewood Makes Another Statement Against Saddlebrook

HUDSON - When it comes to prep golf in Pasco County, no school can match the history of excellence and state championships that Saddlebrook Prep has compiled.

It's the reason why Ridgewood coach Gary Zimmerman wanted his emerging squad to face the Spartans, who may not be as mighty as in year's past, but remain unquestionably talented.

But in Thursday afternoon's tri-match with Hudson on the 3,186-yard, par-36 front nine at The Links Golf Club, the Rams proved that at least in the present, they are Pasco County's undisputed team to beat.

Behind the soft-spoken one-two punch of senior Jordan Padova and his freshman brother, Austin, Ridgewood's top four bested Saddlebrook by nine shots -- 152 to 161. Though the Cobras finished a distant third (229), senior Jeff Kearns carded a career-best 37 to finish second overall at the meet.

The only one to beat him was Jordan Padova, who shot a bogey-free 2-under 34 that included a chip-in birdie at the short, par-3 second and a two-putt birdie at the par-5 eighth after reaching the narrow green in two shots. It also tied a career-best round.

"My short game has been really good this year," said Jordan Padova, who made several nifty up-and-downs, as well as a long putt at the par-3 sixth, to avoid any blemishes on his card. "I've had 34 before, and some people might say I haven't gotten better because I haven't lowered by best score, but the difference now is that I'm more consistent -- 35, 34, that's been my score every time out."

Jordan Padova has overcome back problems that messed with his mechanics early in the year. Austin Padova (39 on Thursday) has broken 40 in every one of his meets as a prep player, with a low round of 33.

Jonathan Kospell also shot 39 and Jeff Koos 40 for the Rams (5-0), who have had as many as six players break 40 in a single meet.

Saddlebrook Prep's (5-3) all-international team was led by Alex Bensahel, originally from France, and Seokil Kim, a South Korea native, who both shot 39. Madhav Bal of India had 41 and Mexico's Jorge Webb had 42.

It was the Spartans' only scheduled meet against an in-county opponent before the Class 1A, District 5 tournament. They did have two meets scheduled against Ridgewood and one against Mitchell but there were cancellations attributed to the county's budget cuts.

"That's why I scheduled Saddlebrook. We need some teams to give us a challenge," said Rams coach Gary Zimmerman. "I knew that if we didn't come out here and play well, Saddlebrook could very well have beaten us badly. We played them two years ago and their place and they handled us pretty good. Our players are all aware of how good they are."

While Spartans coach Mark Hirschey has not hidden the fact that his squad is not as sharp as in year's past, they are still the favorites to win Class 1A, District 5 and may get a couple more players to join the team who are currently battling injuries.

"We just have to avoid the big mistakes - three-putts, four-putts," Hirschey said. "We're not very strong. Hopefully someone will step up or come along."

And perhaps another contender for the district, regional and state play emerged in Kerns, who overcame some early putting woes with an easy birdie at the third, hitting his approach from about 40 yards to one foot, and driving the ball beautifully while paired with Jordan Padova and Bensahel.

"I was nervous the first few holes, but after that I was comfortable," Kerns said. "I knew those guys were pretty good."

Boys Golf
At The Links Golf Club, Hudson

RIDGEWOOD 152, SADDLEBROOK PREP 161, HUDSON 229

Ridgewood (152) -- J. Padova 34; A. Padova 39; Kospell 39; Koos 40.
Saddlebrook Prep (161) -- Bensahel 39; Kim 39; Webb 41; Bal 42.
Hudson (229) -- Kerns 37; Paxton 62; Bennett 63; Powers 66.
Records -- R 5-0, S 5-3.