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The Mustangs are by far the best team in the county. Their coach thinks they could be more.
By JAMAL THALJI, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 26, 2002
TRINITY -- There's nothing wide open about the girls Sunshine Athletic Conference race.
Mitchell is dominating the field, as usual.
"I told them they have a reputation and they have to uphold it," first-year coach Ray Cisbani said. "People expect a lot out of them, and they took it and just ran with it."
The Mustangs' program has dominated Pasco County's public high school golf scene since its inception three years ago. With five more victories this season, Mitchell has run its all-time record to 35-2 in three seasons. The Mustangs' only losses have come against Saddlebrook Prep in 2000 and Clearwater in 2001.
This season, Mitchell is eyeing a third consecutive SAC crown and a return to state. So far, no one has slowed them down.
Mitchell has won its matches by an average of 19 strokes. East Lake, River Ridge and Zephyrhills have all fallen by the wayside. But Hudson had to forfeit its match it couldn't field a team. And Ridgewood has a novice team made up of basketball players, so that 94-stroke win doesn't count for much.
But a school-record 144 in 24-stroke victory over Zephyrhills sure does.
Junior Amanda Moore, the team's No. 1 golfer, shot 36 and is averaging 37.5 on nine holes. Freshman Ashley Aguilera shot a season-low 33 and is averaging 38. Senior Christina Beach shot 37 to lower her average to 40.5, the same as junior Katie Taylor, who shot 38.
The two keys to success this season, Cisbani said, have been a relentless work ethic and a new practice strategy. Instead of just teeing off daily, he's had the girls working on shots for different situations.
A golf instructor, Cisbani said he's never seen such a hard-working group of players. He thinks they can be even better when the SAC championship starts Oct. 21 at Hidden Creek in Zephyrhills.
"Honestly, with their work ethic and the information we're giving them on their golf swing, I honestly believe the girls are going to get better," Cisbani said.
"The thing that really impresses me is their work ethic. We go over different types of shots, instead of just driving the ball, and I get total commitment from the girls."