Seasoned Saddlebrook adds another title

By BRIAN SUMERS
Published October 11, 2006

A-9

INVERNESS - Five hours each weekday, the girls golfers of Saddlebrook Prep practice their craft, so the team's prowess does not surprise its coach.

"It's what they do," Jerry Couzynse said. "Golf is their life."

On Tuesday at Inverness Golf Club, it showed.

Behind a pair of golfers who soon could play at a Division I university, Saddlebrook won the district championship, edging Citrus by 18 strokes.

Zephyrhills finished third to earn the final spot in the region tournament.

Brianna Seo, who said she is being recruited by Auburn, won the match by shooting 74.

Teammate Leslie Choucard shot 77 to finish second, and Citrus' Briana Carlson (79) won a three-hole playoff to finish third.

Though the top golfers shot in the 70s and 80s, not every team featured year-round golfers.

Some players were just starting their first season on the links.

"They might pick up a club three or four times after the season," said Hernando coach Kevin Bittinger, whose team finished fourth. "And two of those times are miniature golf."

That's not the case with Saddlebrook.

Couzynse said he could not remember the last time Saddlebrook did not win a district championship. He said there are at least six plaques in the school trophy case.

Now he'll add another.

"We'll just move the others over to make room," he said.

[Last modified October 11, 2006, 01:34:29]