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Letter to the editor

Newell pleased with strong finish at junior event

By DAVE THEALL, Golf
Published December 30, 2007

A mere 28 putts and a score of 71 in A.J. Newell's second round at last weekend's Innisbrook Christmas Junior Classic elevated her into a tie for second place.

But in the final round, the Northside Christian player slipped to 33 putts and a score of 78 to finish second to Heather Proctor of Silver Springs, another 14-year-old freshman, who shot consistent rounds of 76-75-75-226 for the coveted girls title.

Although second place wasn't Newell's goal, it was a major achievement given the caliber of talent attracted to the 13th annual invitational at the famous Copperhead course, site of the annual PGA Tour tournament.

"I'm really happy to finish so well," an elated Newell said. "It's amazing. This is my third time in this tournament and the first time I've placed. I try not to get emotional about my play, neither high nor low. In addition, I really enjoyed playing with the girls in my threesome (last week). They were really nice."

Tournament director Doug Laseter customarily arranged the final threesome with the top three scorers after 36 holes: the leader, Gabrielle Balit of Bradenton, Proctor and Newell.

Newell had the satisfaction of posting the best round of the tournament among girls, a 71 from the silver tees at the Copperhead course.

Her round consisted of 12 pars, four bogeys and four birdies. The highlight of the birdies, Newell said, came on the 330-yardpar-4 No. 7 hole during the second round. She drilled a 20-foot par that was destined to go well beyond the cup if it didn't hit something. It hit the back of the cup and went in for the vital birdie.

Newell and her sister Anna, homeschooled as well, were key members of the Northside Christian girls team that captured third place at this fall's state Class A high school championships.

Newell was named to the Times' all-Pinellas first team on the strength of her regional championship win and her personal best round of 2-under 34 in early October at Saddlebrook.

The Newell sisters, who live in Westchase, practice and play at Countryside Country Club.

Northside Christian coach Dave Jackson is keen on Newell. That's an understatement.

"A.J. is tremendous," Jackson said. "She's one of the best junior golfers in the country. She has a good head on her shoulders. She doesn't get rattled. That will take her a long way in her golf career."

More Innisbrook results: Three other outstanding Pinellas girls with credentials finished fourth, fifth and sixth. They were Meghan Chapman, Seminole High and North Carolina State bound, 234; Andrea Messer, Largo High and Vanderbilt bound, 236; and freshman Dakoda Dowd, Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs High, 239.

Pete Kellerman of Jacksonville won the boys 14-18 title with rounds of 75-77-70-222.

The top Pinellas finishers, tied for 16th, were Tyler Wilkins of Countryside High and Justin Foster of Dunedin High, at 231. They were followed by Mike Baskovich, the Times' 2007 player of the year for Calvary Christian, 233; Kollin Woodbury, Largo, 234, and Matt Cote of Palm Harbor; Chad Fleming, Seminole, 235; and at 236, Alec Konstantin of Tarpon Springs and Travis Ralph of Redington Beach.

- Casto Gomez of Spain won the 36-hole boys 13-and-under title with even-par rounds of 71-71-142.Eric Ines of Largo finished third with 150, followed by Dustin Dingus, Palm Harbor at 152, and Lee McCoy, Palm Harbor, 154.

County golf: Last week at Seminole Lake, Barry Smith of Brooksville teamed up with Bill Johnson of St. Pete Beach to win with 7-under 65.

Don Powell and Joe Chuck took (57) net honors. Del and Kay Gangelhoff prevailed in the mixed team division, shooting net 66.

Colleges:Rachel Edwards (Seminole High), the top player at Daytona Beach Community College the past two years, signed with USF for her final two years.

[Last modified December 29, 2007, 23:03:28]