Top Golfers

Best of the Best

By BOB PUTNAM
Published December 13, 2006

For the past few seasons, Northside Christian has been the county's most dominant team, winning the school's first state title in 2004 and finishing fourth last year. This season, the Mustangs were supposed to be rebuilding. Two-time county player of the year Danielle Jackson graduated and Whitney Wenglasz transferred to East Lake. But Jackson still had a strong group, led by Morgan Jackson, Ryan Ashburn and A.J. Newell, and coached Northside to a region title and 10th-place finish at state.

Ryan Ashburn Northside Christian, Fr. She had team-best scores at the Bay Conference and district meets.

Emily Boyer Indian Rocks Christian, Jr. She shot 76 in a tough field at districts.

Morgan Jackson Northside Christian, Jr. She was the top player for her team at states, shooting 80-78-158.

Evan Jensen Largo, Jr. Played well all season, winning district title and finishing fourth at regionals.

Brienna Heinzler Palm Harbor University, Jr. Led her team to a conference title and second place at districts.

May Ko Palm Harbor University, Sr. Teamed with Heinzler to form one of the county's top duos.

Andrea Messer Largo, Jr. She opted to play strictly with the boys and placed fifth at the Green Devil Invitational.

A.J. Newell Northside Christian, 8th grade The home schooler was a welcome addition and consistently ranked among the top three on her team.

Whitney Wenglasz East Lake, Jr. The Northside Christian transfer shot 72 to earn a first-place tie among individuals at districts.

Junior Meghan Chapman of Seminole plays in a girls sport that few follow, that rates agate type in some newspapers and not a mention at all in others. In girls golf at the high school level, the galleries are not exactly full. Birdies tumble into the cup to the sound of the wind. Double bogeys drown in lakes of silence. There also are few participants. Chapman knows. She is the only girls golfer at Seminole, so she has to compete as an individual and play against elite golfers such as Largo's Andrea Messer and Evan Jensen. It's not easy. Two years ago, Chapman, then a freshman, won districts and was a state qualifier. Last year, she failed to make it out of regions. This season, Chapman rededicated herself to the game. She gave up playing basketball to spend more time on the golf course. She also had the undying belief things were going to get better, whether it was her next shot, next hole, next round or next tournament. "The biggest thing I want to do is keep improving," she said.

Clearwater Brittany Gaunt

Clearwater Central Catholic Rachel Falls

Countryside Hana Kaba

East Lake Alison Burnham

Indian Rocks Christian Ellie Faller

Northeast Alexandra Amor

Northside Christian Danielle Grace, Courtney Kuntz

Palm Harbor University Karsen Lattimore, Katherine Torro

St. Petersburg Sayhyon Cho

[Last modified December 13, 2006, 05:33:47]