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County's best played it cool all year long

Ty Harris, the player of the year, is a man of few words, letting his shots speak for themselves.

By SCOTT PURKS

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 14, 2000

TAMPA -- Ty Harris talks about golf the same way he plays it.

To the point. Straight down the middle.

What is the biggest improvement you made this year? "I was more consistent with everything." How did you feel standing on the first tee at the state tournament, knowing you were considered one of the favorites?

"I was excited to be there. I was feeling confident."

Were you disappointed with the way it worked out, shooting 2-over 74-72-146 and finishing just out of the top 10?

"A little bit disappointed, but not really. We had a good season."

And that's about as much as you'll get from him.

This is not to say Harris is unfriendly. On the contrary, he is one of the nicest young men you would ever want to meet. It's just that he's quiet and focused, and that goes double during competition.

"His focus and temperament are part of what makes him a great player," Berkeley Prep coach Bobby Reinhart said. "I've never seen him lose his cool. I've never seen him get real mad or overly excited during a round. You can't tell if he just made bogey or birdie by the look on his face."

When he heard he won his second consecutive Times Hillsborough County Boys Golfer of the Year award, Harris was typically understated and polite.

"Thank you," he said.

"I really appreciate you noticing."

How could you not?

Harris won the Bay Conference, district and regional individual titles, had the county's lowest nine-hole regular-season average (35.4), finished third at state among county competitors and led Berkeley Prep to its second consecutive state tournament appearance.

He also had moments of brilliance.

Like when he shot 6-under 66 (31 on the back nine) at Sebring Country Club in an 18-hole tournament and shot a school-record 32 during a nine-hole match.

"I'm telling you he can really pour it on sometimes," Reinhart said. "In that match at Sebring, he was even par through 12 holes, and then he made four birdies and an eagle over the last six holes.

"Unfortunately, I may never have another player do something like that again. I mean that is a very, very rare thing for a high school player to do."

Harris said his college options are open, but Wake Forest, Virginia, West Florida, North Florida and Mississippi are among those who have shown interest.

As for his career, he said golf is not out of the question.

"The plan is to play in college and see how it all works out," he said.

Straight to the point.

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