Leopards 'getting act together'

By BRANT JAMES and KEITH NIEBUHR

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 20, 2001

Bad weather and cancellations have prevented local teams from establishing much consistency, but Hernando boys coach Pete Lahey is beginning to see signs his squad is rounding into shape.

This is the time to work out the kinks, he said, as the regular season matters nil. The Leopards learned that last year when they blitzed through their schedule 16-2 but flopped in the district tournament and failed to advance. Hernando's 2000 form flickered Tuesday in a 147-174 shellacking of Springstead at The Dunes.

Sophomores Keegan Ledford and Fred Farmer and senior Matt Johnson led the Leopards (3-1) with even-par 36s, and senior Chandler Beasley had a 39.

"Keegan's playing real well," Lahey said. "I think everybody's coming back strong. If you go to the Dunes and have three shoot even par and everybody else is pretty close to it, you're getting your act together."

Ledford leads Hernando with a 37 average -- a product of improved putting.

"He changed his putting, the way he holds the club," Lahey said. "He used to do crosshand, and now he does regular and (his putting) has improved."

Johnson is averaging a 38 and Farmer, a state qualifier last year as a freshman, is at 40 but has played only two matches. If his performance Tuesday is an indication, Farmer might be ready to propel the Leopards back to the future.

CENTRAL BOYS: The Bears improved to 2-2 on Tuesday after finally completing just its second match of the season.

Sparked by 39s from freshman Grey Gonzalez and junior Andrew Coogan, Central carded a 161 to beat South Sumter (171) and Crystal River (177).

Gonzalez came advertised as a better than an average freshman, and he's proving it to first-year coach Mike Beckwith.

"He plays so well because he's consistent," Beckwith said. "He swings the club the same way all the time and doesn't change anything.

"And he's got a very good mind game," Beckwith said. "He doesn't let anything bother him. The guys he played with (Tuesday) shot a 50 and 48, and he wasn't affected by it at all."

SPRINGSTEAD GIRLS: First-year coach Ev Bennett knew "rebuilding" didn't quite apply when her team began the season with four players -- all of whom, except Sarah Bell, never had played a round before this fall.

As the "building" continues, so mount the losses. The Eagles are 0-5, but Bennett said that doesn't matter.

"I look at it as totally teaching," Bennett said. "We're trying to improve the individual scores every match, not focus on winning or losing, because that's unfair to the girls.

"We can't compete with teams who have kids who played all summer and in tournaments."

Springstead fell 268-235 to Crystal River on Aug. 28, 296-194 to Citrus on Aug. 30, 283-233 to Central on Sept. 4, 287-280 to Hudson on Monday, and 294-290 to Hernando on Tuesday.

Bennett is encouraged the margins of defeat are shrinking. "We're improving." GOING LOW: Crystal River senior Morgan Owen fired an even-par 29 on the practice course at World Woods on Monday in a five-shot win over Hernando. Her round included two birdies.

After four matches, Owen has a nine-hole average of 40, or 5.4 strokes over par. She is a two-time Times All-Citrus/Hernando pick.

NEXT ON THE TEE: The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament takes place Monday at Oak Hills Golf Club in Spring Hill.

The course, unique because it has no water hazards, was designed by well-known professional Raymond Floyd.

The Hernando boys and Lecanto girls were last season's GCAC champions. Farmer and Christina Mitchell of Citrus won individual titles. Both players will compete Monday.

DUNES: Barbara Breesman shot a 77 on Sept. 13 to win the A Flight gross category in the Dunes Womens Golf League weekly game. Marge Williams (74) won the A net.

Adele Spudis captured the title in B gross with a 90. Karen Stacy won the B net with a 74. Carolyn Yablecki took the C gross crown with a 105, and Annie Chytyk won the C net with a 74.

SEVEN HILLS: Connie Calnan, Shirley Wilcox, Jan Szeltner and Cindy Holland each shot a 50 on Sept. 12 to tie for first in the Seven Hills Ladies Golf League weekly "best 15 out of 18 holes, minus handicap" game.

Elaine Jordan, Jeanne Pelton and Colleen Double tied for second with a 52. Janice Sandlin, Betty Tooker and Bev Johnson were next with a 53.

WELLINGTON: Joe Ferraro carded a gross 72 with a net 60 on Sept. 12 to win the Wellington Mixed Golf League low net game.

Don Palmer was next with an 89 gross, net 64. Third was Howard Keefer with a gross 90, net 69. There was a tie for fourth between Sharon Norris (106-71) and Walt Moore (99-71).

- Report scores and news at (800) 333-7505, ext. 1430, fax to (352) 848-1412 or e-mail brant@sptimes.com.

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