Golf: Wesley Chapel girls team doubles

It only took half the season, but the Wesley Chapel girls golf team finally had a full match.

The first seven matches for the Wildcats ended in forfeits since first-year coach Chuck Yingling had just two girls on roster (junior and last year's sole returner, Savanna Bischof, and talented freshman, Hana Lee).

Even though their first match was a loss to Sunlake on Sept. 21, Yingling now has four players and is expecting more. He credits some of that to Lee, who is averaging 39.4 this season, including a season-low 37. She's garnered more interest in the sport by having a player solid enough to re-build around.

"(Lee) is certainly a good place to start," Yingling said. "I've got her for a few more years, so we'll start with her and work our way up."

Bischof was never discouraged as the only returner from last season, but she also looks forward to the rest of this season, and the next, with Lee.

"I like being the only returner because then I get to start something," Bischof said. "It never bothered me, but it's great having a player like Hana because I like having someone where I can watch their swing and learn something to improve my swing. She's a great golfer."

Bulldogs building up

Though young, the Zephyrhills boys are on a roll. That is, according to coach Chuck Lail, until they met Mitchell and lost a rain-shortened match Tuesday.

"We had won four matches in a row, but we weren't our best (Tuesday) against Mitchell," Lail said of his 15-golfer squad. "We're young, but everyone is well ahead of where they were at this point last year, and we just keep getting better. We like our progress, but there is plenty of room for improvement (before the conference tournament Oct. 11)."

Leading the way for the Bulldogs (5-4) is junior Cody Nichols and sophomore Cory Bahr, both of which are averaging 38 this season and both shaved four strokes off last season's average.

"Cody's short game has improved, but he really improved his course management by not taking so many risky shots he shouldn't (be taking)," Lail said. "While Cory has just grown up, getting bigger physically, which has added 20-30 yards to his drives."

Those improvements were seen as Zephyrhills lost, 153-157, to Wiregrass Ranch on Sept. 23, a vast difference from the past season.

"With three more matches, we want to finish out the season strong," Lail said. "After that, we feel good about going into postseason."

Down to the Wiregrass

Bulls coach Nick Cuviello not only wants a rematch, but wants the perfect position at the conference tournament, which will be hosted by River Ridge at Seven Springs Golf and Country Club in New Port Richey.

Wiregrass (9-1) wants a chance to avenge its Sept. 21, three-stroke loss to undefeated Mitchell, including defending its 2009 SAC title.

"I think it'll be a good rivalry," Cuviello said. "A bunch of teams are jumbled together with three losses - though any of them could make a run at the title and come in and steal (the title) - but we want it to come down to us (and Mitchell).

"Being first or second, like us, you control your own destiny, and we like that, so we can just play our game, and hopefully, score better than them."

Teams with three losses, such as Fivay, Wesley Chapel and Land O' Lakes, have the potential to play spoiler that day, but Cuviello also knows those teams will be coming after them, and Mitchell as well.

"There are still good teams behind us," he said. "We're not going to put anything past them because we've been that team that got overlooked and we have a title to defend now."

Gators gearing up

Even at 6-3, the Land O' Lakes squad is full of confidence. To put them ahead of similarly ranked teams such as Fivay and Wesley Chapel, coach D.J. Holland plans on getting in a full practice round at Seven Springs before the conference tournament.

"It's a tricky course, which anyone knows if they've played it," Holland said. "Obviously, the more they know how the ball will land and roll out there, the more it will help them out (during the tournament)."

Holland will be looking to get all his golfers in sync during a match.

Either their No. 1 and No. 2, Jon Kopsell and Robbie Niemann, will have great matches, but other players will struggle. At other times, the top golfers will have an off day and the others, such as Brad Weaver, Matt Mooney and Jesse Boger, keep the team ahead. Holland hopes a tough 157-165 loss to Wiregrass on Thursday will be the motivation they need.

"I have so much confidence in my guys that they'll find momentum down the stretch here," Holland said. "They have the talent (to play well together), we just have to put four or five good rounds together at the same time."

Fivay finalizing

The Falcons (7-3) rescheduled its Oct. 6 match against district foe Wesley Chapel to Monday, which will be a tri-match with Pasco. It will be held at Meadow Oaks Golf and Country Club in Hudson. The Falcons will look to continue their impressive run as a first-year squad, touting junior Austin Padova, the only Pasco County boys golfer to make states in 2009. However, the Wildcats will bring top seniors Brandon Mumaw and Jacob Fleck, both of which shoot in the 30s.