Tour of duty

By Keith Niebuhr
Published August 21, 2007

Shena Yang would prefer not to think about college right now.

She has nothing against it. It's just that Yang has something bigger in mind.

"My focus is on making it on tour," Yang said.

Will the 15-year-old Wharton junior be good enough to take the leap after finishing high school?

Time will tell, but thus far she has performed quite well.

As a sophomore, Yang was fifth at the Class 2A state tournament as a team, the Wildcats placed 10th after finishing at even par, won the District 11 tournament, placed second at the Region 4 meet, had a season average just above par and was the Times' Hillsborough County Player of the Year.

Despite that success, Yang isn't content.

She spends three hours a day at the driving range.

"Right now, I'm really trying to work on my swing a little more," Yang said. "I'm trying to get it as close to perfection as I can. People say I'm a perfectionist. I'm looking for more accuracy and more distance."

Yang, who has played since she was 7, is what you'd call a pretty big hitter. Off the tee, her drives typically go 250 or more yards.

"What I need to work on is my putting," she said.

There is no doubt Yang's success has a lot to do with talent. But her coach said there are other contributing factors.

"I think it has as much to do with her temperament, concentration, focus and desire," Wharton coach Maxine Stark said.

ABOUT SHENA YANG

If Yang could play golf with any three people ...
1. Tiger Woods: "It would be an honor. I just admire his game so much."
2. PGA's Adam Scott: "He's really cute."
3. Her father: "He quit playing when I started playing so he could focus all his attention on me. I've never played with him. He said one day when I got good, he'd play with me."

The three favorite clubs in her golf bag ...
1. Driver: "I just love how it goes farther than all the other clubs."
2. 5-wood: "I love my 5-wood. I hit it when I'm about 180 yards out. Even on my bad days, it goes good for me."
3. Pitching wedge: "I always practice with it. I feel really comfortable with it."

Three things to know about Shena ...
1. She has never broken a club. Well, not intentionally. Once, one broke after getting stuck in the trunk of a car. "I don't ever throw clubs. If I did, my parents would kill me! When I'm mad (on the course), people know. I'll stop talking."
2. Her father, John Yang, once was an interpreter for LPGA star Se Ri Pak. Like Pak, he is Korean.
3. Though she claims to dislike school, she carries a 3.7 GPA . And she takes all honors courses.

GIRLS

Key storyline
Is Durant rebuilding or reloading? "Definitely reloading," coach Dick Sheffield said. Three of the top five graduated from a team that was 11th at the Class 2A tournament, but the squad's best two - Amy West and Heather Wengyn - return. Both appear better than they were last year. Additionally, freshman Erika Wardzinsky has shown a good bit of promise.

Must-see match
Wharton vs. Plant, Oct. 2 at Hunter's Green Country Club. The Panthers will want revenge in a big way. At last season's 2A, Region 4 meet, Plant finished third - one shot behind second-place Wharton, which advanced to state. The Panthers have four of their top five players back from last season and are primed for big things.

Keep an eye on ...
Bryce Alley, Sr., Plant Resilient player and solid leader.
Gen King, Jr., Plant Solid performer capable of breaking 40.
Mackenzie Puryear, Sr., Plant Had clutch efforts at district and regionals last year.
Heather Wengyn, Jr., Durant Can break 40 any time she plays.
Amy West, Jr., Durant Has shown great improvement during the past 12 months.

BOYS

Key storyline
Can Plant better its 2006 finish? Last fall, the Panthers were eighth at the 2A tournament. From that squad, four starters return. Every Plant player is capable of averaging in the 30s for nine holes and few teams in Florida can say that. Among the group, watch for Letson, Martin, Carter Ilgenfritz and Phil Sipiora. This entire team is talented. And it is deep.

Sleeper team?
Let's go with King, which returns its entire starting five. Senior Chris Biuso, a strong player-of-the-year candidate, is back after posting a 35.7 nine-hole average last season. This summer, Biuso excelled as well, placing in the top 10 at two prestigious American Junior Golf Association tournaments. More than a few colleges are interested in Biuso, who is as solid from tee to green as any area player. Juniors Matt Cook and Steven Romeo also are solid.

Must-see match
King vs. Plant and Tampa Prep, Oct. 9 at Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club. Plant arguably is the county's top team, King is on the rise and Tampa Prep is always tough.

Keep an eye on ...
Tres Hall, Sr., Durant Vastly improved player should be among county's elite.
Charles Martin, Jr., Plant Region champ led Panthers at state.
Jack Twomey, Jr., Jesuit Led Tigers with 14th-place finish at state.
Doug Letson, Jr. Plant Was second-team all-county last season.
Dylan Malafronte, Sr., Jesuit Had 77 in final round at state.

KEY DATES

- Districts (Oct. 15-16)
- Regionals (Oct. 22-23)
- FHSAA Finals (Oct. 30-31)

Format: The top three teams and top three individuals who are not members of the top three teams in the district tournament advance to the region tournament. At regionals, the first- and second-place teams and the first- and second-place individuals advance to state.

Times staff writer Keith Niebuhr can be reached at kniebuhr@sptimes.com or at (813) 226-3353.

[Last modified August 20, 2007, 23:29:54]