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By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 27, 2002
After dodging weather-related trouble, the NSJGA's last two events of the month were rained out.
Monday's stop at the Country Club of Ocala was rained out -- as was a date at Citrus Hills a week earlier. Wednesday's annual rules clinic at Southern Woods in Homosassa was canceled after a disappointingly low number of golfers registered for the free seminar.
That aside, turnout has been impressive. NSJGA organizers have had to cut off new golfers in many age groups because courses simply can't handle any more golfers. The circuit has averaged about 150 golfers in its four events, up from just over 100 a year ago.
"There's been a lot of interest. It seems like more kids are participating every week," NSJGA coordinator Kathy Brown said. "We've have enough in some age groups that it's been first-come, first-serve at times."
Brown said the NSJGA is considering a few options to allow for continued growth next summer, including younger groups who play seven to nine holes on separate courses.
As for the rain, Brown said golfers were spoiled by last summer's relative drought, which resulted in only one cancellation.
Up next is a stop at Spruce Creek near Ocala on Monday. The remaining four tournaments after that include a stop at Lake Jovita on July 15.
PROMISING SHOWING: New Port Richey's R.C. Hyatt, a regular winner in the NSJGA ranks, finished four in a field of 51 in the junior division of the Florida State Golf Association's Junior Championship last week. Hyatt shot rounds of 75 and 67, and his second round matched the tournament low at LPGA International in Daytona Beach.
MORE LOCALS: Matthew Lemma of Trinity tied for 47th in the field of 170 at the FSGA's Amateur Championship, which ended Sunday at ChampionsGate Golf Resort in Davenport.
Lemma shot 74-71-75-79 for a four-round total of 11-over 299. He had earned a spot in the state field by advancing with the third-best score at a qualifier at Bardmoor Golf & Tennis Club in Largo. Ty Harris of Tampa won the event by shooting 280.
Two other county golfers made the Amateur field but missed the cut after two rounds. Former Zephyrhills High standout Chris Black, who shot 75 to earn the last spot out of a qualifier at Hunter's Green Country Club in Tampa, shot 79 and 74 at ChampionsGate and missed the cut by three strokes. New Port Richey's Scott Moore, who also qualified out of Bardmoor, shot 80 and 86.
FOUR-BALL: The FSGA's State Four-Ball Championship will hold a qualifier at Fox Hollow Golf Club in New Port Richey on Friday.
Eight county golfers are among the 68 registered to compete: James McKnight, James O'Neill and Kevin Wagner of New Port Richey; Michael McDonald and Charlie Seoane of Odessa; Alan Davis of Hudson; Ernie Alonso of Wesley Chapel; and Carl Sullivan of Zephyrhills.
Two others will attempt to advance from the qualifier Monday at TPC at Prestancia in Sarasota: Rick Irwin and Scott Moore of New Port Richey.
The state championship will be at TPC at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach on July 13-14.