Sports

Long day for locals on tough course

By DANA OPPEDISANO
Published October 17, 2006

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BONITA SPRINGS - There were no pin sheets, no practice round, and alas, no state finals for the Largo boys golf team after Monday's Class 2A, Region 5 tournament.

"Probably one of the toughest courses the kids have ever faced," Bill Schroeder said after his team shot 336 to finish fourth, missing state by 20 strokes at Vasari Country Club. "Awfully tight, awfully unforgiving. It was the type of course we really needed to play (beforehand)."

The scores across the board suggested as much, as no player shot better than 4-over 74 on a blustery morning.

Matt Alwin shot a team-best 78 for Largo, while Chris MaKinster had 88 and district champ Travis Ralph 91.

Seminole finished fifth at 341. Kyle Menke's 86 was 10 strokes better than his closest St. Petersburg teammate, as the Devils finished ahead of only a disqualified Sarasota in the nine-team field.

"They're a bit disappointed with the scores," coach John Domeier said, "but they enjoyed being out here."

Osceola's Graham Hartmann and J.T. Thee of Boca Ciega failed to qualify for states. Northeast's Jacob Wells also didn't make it, but shot a respectable 83 in his second region appearance in as many seasons.

"He hung in pretty good all day," Northeast coach Dennis Crider said. "With the conditions and the wind blowing, there weren't a whole lot under that."

[Last modified October 17, 2006, 10:05:05]