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PGA Village course will demand accuracy

The more talented teams likely are to benefit from challenging layout.

By MIKE READLING, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published November 12, 2002

TAMPA -- When Berkeley Prep arrived at the PGA Village in Port St. Lucie for its practice round, the Buccaneers found a demanding course with large, undulating greens and fairways dotted with numerous bunkers.

It's the type of layout that will reward precision on approach shots rather than boosting greens in regulation average and management off the tee as opposed to just hitting the fairway.

It could play right into Ty Callahan and the rest of his teammates' gloved left hands.

"You have to have a little more accuracy," Berkeley coach Ed Garver said. "You're going to have to be pretty precise."

It's the type of course that will slam the squads that sneak through weak districts and regionals, showing up at state shooting in the 310s. The course will reward more talented teams such as Jesuit, Berkeley and Wharton.

Jesuit won its regional tournament with an even-par 288. It was followed by Berkeley (299). Of the 16 state qualifiers, Jesuit's regional score was the lowest and Berkeley's was tied for fourth.

They will be squaring off against perennial powers such as Saddlebrook, Trinity Prep and Bradenton Academy. Wharton shot 290 in the region, easily the lowest qualifying mark in the Class 2A tourney. The Wildcats' main competition will come from St. Thomas Aquinas, Miami Christopher Columbus and Jacksonville Bishop Kenny.

The key is will the weather cooperate? And can the entire field finish its rounds?

Last year's boys tournament was stopped during the first round with three Wharton members on the course when it became too dark to play. This year's tourney is a week later, causing some coaches to worry about the sun setting earlier.

All four local teams would appear to be safe from having to show up early Wednesday morning to finish their opening round before returning in the afternoon to start Round 2. Jesuit tees off between 11:15 a.m. and 11:49 both days, Berkeley goes from 11:57-12:31 p.m., Wharton begins at 6:45 a.m. and Plant is scheduled to start at 9:30. That doesn't mean their strategies haven't changed.

Seemingly gone are the days of using the first round for a solid score, then coming back to attack the course in the final round. Complicating things is a Wednesday forecast that calls for thunderstorms. "The first day is very important," Garver said. "If weather moves in or not everyone can finish their rounds because it's dark, it's very important."

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