Durant fires on all cylinders

By TERRY JONES
Published October 17, 2006

TAMPA - After a second-place district finish, Durant coach Dick Sheffield said a good day by all of his players could give the Cougars a region championship.

The Cougars had a good day Monday.

"With the quality of teams in our region, the top players will all do well, but the title will depend on the No. 4 player," he said.

He was right.

Most players in the Class 2A, Region 4 tourney at Rogers Park Golf Course shot above normal, but Cougars No. 4 and first-year senior golfer Lianne Carter shot a decent score.

Her 99 was close enough to her top three teammates to give the Cougars a team score of 355 and the title.

Wharton shot 359 for second place and the only other berth for next week's state tournament.

"I didn't start playing golf until six months ago, so maybe I didn't know enough to realize the conditions were bad," Carter said. "I just wanted to play consistently today and help my team win. They did the rest."

Plant was a close third at 360, followed by Mitchell (366), Palm Harbor University (387), Gaither (399) and East Lake (428).

Mitchell senior Emily Van Etten (75) earned medalist honors.

Wharton sophomore Shena Yang was second with 78.

The two players with the lowest score make state even if they are on a qualifying team. Van Etten qualified as an individual for the second consecutive year.

Though the wind affected much of the tournament, Yang put it into proper perspective.

"We were all on the same course and all adjusted," Yang said. "I have a long, high drive and the wind was a challenge, especially with No. 14. But I adjusted and thank goodness my team did too."

Yang had an eight on par-5 No. 14.

Sheffield was pleased with the overall performance.

"Everybody shot higher here than they did at districts," he said. "Well, at least the teams in our district. This wind and the fast slope on the greens, made it interesting. I am proud of all my players."

Heather Wengyn shot 83 to lead the Cougars to victory. Ashley Miller was close in second with 85. Amy West rounded off the Durant top three with 88.

Wharton had the toughest time coming into the region tournament, but came together at the right time to edge Plant by one.

The Wildcats won their district by 20 strokes.

Michelle Bermudez, the captain and the only senior on a young Wharton team, said most of the Wildcats struggled.

"After some of the wind gusts moved their ball around, some of the players were really down," Bermudez said. "But nobody quit and everybody battled back from some tough holes. I am proud of my team."

Scoring for the Panthers were Mackenzie Puryear (87), Mary Ko (89), Bianco Urso (91) and Alley Bryce (93).

[Last modified October 17, 2006, 09:49:14]