Sports: Young guns up to old tricks

Young guns up to old tricks

By BRANT JAMES

BROOKSVILLE -- The Generation Xers sat in their carts and lamented how this was becoming a "young man's" tournament.

The 20-somethings, whatever they call themselves, stood by the cart path at the 18th green and slapped hands with 20-year-old Robbie Schulz on Sunday after he won the 84th Florida State Amateur Golf Championship at World Woods.

The youngsters -- many of them college players -- felt empowered in beating their elders, most of whom were businessmen or retired. The old guys, after watching a 21-year-old win last year, just felt overpowered.

"I'd be stopping to hit my ball and they would have to wait for me," joked Brooksville's Todd Jefcoat, 39, who withdrew after three rounds. "I was getting out-hit by 30 yards."

Ocala's Steve Albright and Lutz's Joe Alfieri, who began the fourth round first and tied for second place, respectively, had to take Schulz's 5-under 67 on Sunday with a smile.

"Just like last year," laughed Alfieri, who shot a 71-72-71-72-286 to finish four strokes out and in second for the third consecutive time. "We knew he had a good score going. So good, we were questioning it at one point."

Schulz, admittedly tired after seven hours of rain delays in the final two rounds, had plenty of youthful energy left to make six birdies and have the Amateur sealed by the 14th hole Sunday. He finished 73-73-69-67-282.

Schultz had no feelings -- none he was willing to share -- about beating the old guys.

"I really don't know what to say about that," Schultz said.

Including 19-year-old Brendan Takacs of Clearwater -- the state 12-14 division champ in 1995 -- Florida's Dalton Melnyk and Florida State's Kris Hannah, five of the top seven placers were 25 or younger. Thirty-five teenagers made the 164-person qualifying field.

NOTES: Inverness' Kelly Gosse squirted up to fourth place with a final-round 69. ... The tournament's two returning champions -- Mark Leetzow of Sarasota and Doug LaCross of Tampa -- didn't get close to the leaders. Leetzow, the 1995 and '97 champ, finished 52nd at 70-77-78-76-301. LaCrosse, the 1992 champion, was 16th at 73-72-73-74-292.

OUT OF CONTENTION: Hernando and Pasco counties' only entrants withdrew before the final day.

Jefcoat finished 74-78-75-WD. Wesley Chapel's Adam Swope was 77-75-76-WD.