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Playing smarter, getting better

By BRYAN BURNS, Times Correspondent
Published September 21, 2007

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East Bay golfer Julie Rolfe has had better days on the golf course than her round last week against Plant City and Tampa Bay Tech.

But not many.

Rolfe was nearly perfect in shooting a career-low two-under-par 33 and leading East Bay High's girls golf team to a 6-0 record. Yet, despite not recording a single bogey, Rolfe says her score could have been even lower.

"All my drives landed in the fairway, and I hit pretty much every green," said Rolfe, a senior. "I could have shot a lot better because I had a couple birdie opportunities that I barely lipped out."

Count East Bay golf coach Tim Mays as one of the spectators who came away impressed after seeing Rolfe's round.

"I watched her on most of the holes, and it was just like watching Tiger Woods," said Mays, in his 11th year as golf coach at East Bay. "She was hitting the fairways, hitting the greens. She was hitting everything well that day."

After narrowly missing the state tournament the past two seasons, Rolfe is playing her best golf these days. Through six matches, she carries a 36.6 nine-hole average.

Last season, she shot an 82 in the district competition, tops among individual qualifiers. She followed with an 83 at regionals, tying her for fifth best overall but not quite good enough for the state competition.

This year, Rolfe thinks she has what it takes to make it to her first state tournament. Mays, who said Rolfe is making better decisions on the golf course this season, agrees.

"If she keeps her head on straight and plays smart, I think she can definitely go to state this year," he said. "She attacks the ball. She's not afraid to try a harder shot, and if it doesn't work, she doesn't get down on herself."

Rolfe has three sisters who all play golf competitively. The oldest, Brittany, is a former East Bay golfer. Julie's younger sister Abigail is a freshman, East Bay's No. 2 golfer (41.3 average for nine holes) and also a threat to qualify for the state tournament.

"She's really good," Julie said. "She's as good as me - she just can't hit the ball as far."

And after just picking up the game, 9-year-old Sierra might be the best of the bunch by the time she reaches high school.

"It's interesting to see them all play and their different attitudes on the course," Mays said. "They all are ... athletic and can play."

As for Julie, who is also a member of East Bay's soccer and flag football teams, she thinks there are a few more rounds like the one she had on Sept. 13. In fact, she already has scored lower, shooting a four-under 32 (par 36) at Apollo Beach Golf Club, her home course.

There's just one problem.

"It was during practice," she said. "And, of course, I was on my own."

"I watched her on most of the holes, and it was just like watching Tiger Woods."

Tim Mays, who coaches Julie Rolfe at East Bay High School

"I watched her on most of the holes, and it was just like watching Tiger Woods"

Tim Mays, who coaches Julie Rolfe at East Bay High School

[Last modified September 24, 2007, 11:46:52]