While the team didn't make it to state, the teens kept the season competitive.
By TERRY JONES
Published October 29, 2004
CARROLLWOOD - Matt Cooney consistently drives the ball more than 250 yards straight down the fairway. His teammate Josh Raines is dead-on accurate with an iron shot.
Both of them have been keeping Gaither High School's boys golf team competitive.
Gaither's team recently won third place in its district tournament and advanced all the way to the regional finals this past Monday. Gaither finished sixth in the regionals and won't make it to the state tournament this year.
Still, it's been a successful year.
"We had a good season. We were seeded seventh in the regionals and we finished tied for sixth," said Gaither golf coach Jim Morrissey. "I'm looking forward to next year, because Cooney and a couple of my juniors are going to step up, and we're going to have a good season again."
Morrissey has been pleased with the results of his top two players, Cooney and Raines, this season.
"Last year as a freshman, Matt brought a new intensity to the team. He forces the others to pick up their games," Morrissey said. "Josh is consistent and he brings mature leadership to the team. He's best with the iron shot. His approach gives him a good opportunity to birdie."
Cooney, 15, is a sophomore with a steady nine-hole score of 38 or 39. Even as a sophomore, he's one of the top boys golfers in Hillsborough County.
The second-year starter from Carrollwood has shot as low as 34 on nine holes and seldom goes over 70 playing 18 holes. He continually works on his skills - especially his short game but also on his drive. So far, his longest drive is 383 yards.
As for Raines, this has been his fourth season as a Gaither starter. The Carrollwood 17-year-old is a senior and the Cowboys' team captain.
He, too, shoots between 38 and 39 on nine holes and normally stays below 70 on 18. For the past four years he has won the Fourth of July Junior Invitational in Orlando.
Both teens started the game young and spend hours every weekday playing.
Cooney started playing at age 4. His parents bought a set of cut-down clubs for him to play at that age.
"I just love the sport," Cooney said. "Because I love to compete, I played soccer for several years and I play most sports now, but just for fun.
"Golf is my game, though."
Brian Aaron, another senior on the team, has been the No. 3 player and usually shoots in the mid to upper 40s. Juniors Ryan Coll and Reed Lengel round out the five-man team.
Gaither's team just fell short of making it to the state tournament this season, falling behind local golfing powerhouses Chamberlain and Clearwater Countryside.
The Gaither coach has high hopes for next year.
"Hopefully we'll get a couple more talented players," Morrissey said. "We'll try to catch up to some of the Countrysides and Chamberlains out there."
