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High scores don't deter Warhawks

 
Published Nov. 4, 2003|Updated Sept. 2, 2005

Tucking their drivers away, Seminole played it straighter than most to win the Class 2A, Region 4 tournament at Cheval Golf Club.

The Warhawks won with 323, a rather lofty score for most region champions, but still 15 shots ahead of second-place Chamberlain.

"The scores were high because it was tough out there," said Seminole's Cliff Williams, who won the individual title with 4-over 75. "The wind was blowing pretty hard and the course was difficult. "Our team talked about keeping it in play before the round. So that's what I tried to do. I only hit three drivers all day. I hit 3-irons on almost every hole. I didn't make many putts of any length but I didn't miss any inside five feet."

Chamberlain finished second at 338 to earn the other qualifying spot for next week's state tournament, making the Chiefs and coach Hank Bontrager one of the most emotionally-spent groups of the day.

"Before the tournament we were so excited about our chances," said Bontrager, making his first trip to state in his six years as coach. "But because we were one of the first teams in we looked at our score and were a little disconcerted. But then as the scores kept coming in so high we felt better and better. By the time it was over, of course, we were elated."

_ SCOTT PURKS

2A-5: Viking's close call

In his final region tournament, Northeast senior Mike Bezanson had the second-best score in the Class 2A, Region 5 tournament at Serenoa in Sarasota. But it wasn't enough to go to state.

In the last group to come off the course, Bezanson was sure someone had done better than his 75.

"I didn't think I had a chance when I got done," Bezanson said "I didn't think 75 was going to hold it."

Bezanson tied with Sarasota's Rob Thorngate for second, putting him one hole from the state tournament.

Bezanson, still fighting a recent bout with mono, has gone to the region tournament looking for an individual bid at state for the past three years. For the past two, he has missed the opportunity by two strokes. This time, he missed it by one.

Thorngate and Bezanson played hole No. 1 and Bezanson bogeyed to lose by a stroke.

"Even though I missed states, I played my hardest," Bezanson said. "I ended my high school golf career on a good round."

Sarasota and Gulf Coast advanced. St. Petersburg's Courtland Chambers also played and shot 87.

_ LAURA LEE

A-6: Pinellas' four falters

None of the four individuals representing Pinellas County finished in the top two of the Class A, Region 6 tournament in Fort Myers. Shorecrest's Chris Hamm, Canterbury's T. J. Carlson and Billy Karns and Matt Dove of St. Petersburg Catholic made the trip to Copperhead at Lehigh Acres, but were well out of the running to advance to the state tournament.

_ LAURA LEE

A-5: Jesuit places 2nd

SEBRING _ Sebring took the top two individual spots and team title in the Class A, Region 5 tournament at Harder Hall Country Club.

The Blue Streaks finished with 295, seven ahead of second-place Jesuit, which also qualified for state. Jesuit finished two ahead of third-place Berkeley Prep.

Newsome was fifth (312), Clearwater Central Catholic sixth (314) and Tampa Prep seventh (318). Sebring and Jesuit will compete in the Class A state tournament at Fairwinds Golf Course in Fort Pierce Nov. 11-12.

Sebring's Marc Devany shot 3-under 69 to take medalist honors. Newsome's Bobby Dyer was third with 71 and Nick Jones of Calvary Christian was sixth with 72.

_ SCOTT DRESSEL