Wesley Chapel girls also advance to regionals
By Eugenio Torrens
It wasn’t the grueling conditions of the British Open, but it was a chilly, blustery day at the Plantation Palms Golf Club for the girls Class 1A-District 9 tournament on Oct. 20.
The event was pushed back two days because of anticipated inclement weather on Oct. 18, but golfers ran into a colder-than-normal Florida morning and wind gusts of 15-20 mph.
The high winds couldn’t blow Saddlebrook Preparatory senior Lauren Riehle off course. The Wesley Chapel resident, who has committed to play at the University of Miami, navigated the course to an even-par 72 to win her third straight individual district championship.
“It’s a very respectable score,” Riehle said. “I did have the ability to go really low today, but I guess it really wasn’t the right day for that.”
Riehel’s classmate, Nina Hwang, finished second with an 8-over 80. Academy at the Lakes’ Ellen Crowley carded a 101 to also advance to regionals.
“(Riehel) played really good today, but that’s to be expected,” said Saddlebrook golf coach Mike Tali. “When I started working with Lauren three years ago she was a mid-80-to-90 shooter, and so in two and a half years she has developed into a top-level junior (golfer). I’m tickled pink. I’m very proud of her.”
Fivay finished first with a team score of 466, and Wesley Chapel shot a 595. The top-three teams from each district tournament advance, but only the Falcons and Wildcats fielded a full four-girl team to qualify. Saddlebrook had three golfers, Crowley was the sole representative of Academy at the Lakes — which won the team district championship last year — and Gulf had two.
The Falcons and Wildcats, as well as the three advancing individuals, played in regionals at Golden Hills Golf & Turf Club in Ocala on Oct. 24, but results were not available by press time.
Spartans take district title
Saddlebrook Preparatory rode a blistering team effort to win the boys Class 1A-District 9 golf tournament by shooting a 327 on Oct. 20.
Tom Ng’s 80 earned him the individual district title. Four golfers were hot on his heels with 81s, including teammates Ryoto Furuya and Michael Richards.
Academy at the Lakes and Wesley Chapel finished fourth and fifth, respectively. Only the top-three teams advance to regionals.
Wesley Chapel did have two individual qualifiers in John Nickisher and Corey Mumaw, who shot a 94 and 97, respectively.
Regionals were at Golden Hills Golf & Turf Club in Ocala on Oct. 24, but results were not available by press time.
Lone Gator makes regionals
Land O’ Lakes sophomore Eden Shirmohammad finished in third place with her performance at the Class 2A-District 11 girls golf tournament on Oct. 20. She carded a 101 to advance regionals.
As for team scores, Wiregrass Ranch finished in fifth, Sunlake took sixth and Land O’ Lakes claimed seventh. Only the top three teams advance.
Regionals took place at the Walden Lake Golf and Country Club in Plant City on Oct. 25, but results were not available by press time.
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