By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: October 15, 2010

Megan Berube Stephanie Rodney Kae Elliott Lauren Shuford

The long awaited second season, otherwise known as crunch time, arrives Monday for the county’s female linksters.

Here’s a look at each of the four public school programs.

Eagles, Bears in Marion County

After several years of not participating in post-season action, Central High joins F.W. Springstead in Monday’s expected 16-team Class 2A, District 6 Tournament at Ocala Palms Golf and County Club, 5174 NW 26th St., Ocala, FL 34482.

The crowded field is expected to feature: Belleview, Brooksville-Central, Citra-North Marion, Inverness-Citrus, New Port Richey-Gulf, Ocala-Lake Weir, Ocala-Forest, Ocala-Vanguard, Ocala-West-Port, Land O’Lakes, Land O’Lakes-Sunlake, Lecanto, Leesburg, Spring Hill-Springstead, Wesley Chapel-Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills.

The first group in this 18-hole event is scheduled to tee off at 8:30 a.m.

Three-time county champion F.W. Springstead had difficulty in this event last fall finishing fifth in the 12-team field.

The county’s defending Player of the Year, Megan Berube, finished runner-up as a freshman.

A week later Berube was eliminated in regionals.

SHS enters the meet with a perfect but misleading 12-0-0 won-lost-tied mark. Upon closer inspection, the Mariner Boulevard program has only played one team outside of the county limits — and faced no major competition.

Berube, who averaged a county-low 35.8 strokes per nine holes entering the week, fired an even par 33 Wednesday at The Heather.

Berube’s chances to advance to regionals and beyond are bright, but with the remainder of her teammates averaging 55 strokes or higher, chances are slim her team can advance beyond Monday.

At Central, sophomore Stephanie Rodney, who shot a 7-over-par 40 Wednesday at The Heather, could very well join Berube in regionals.

Unfortunately, like Springstead, the Lady Bears are extreme long shots to reach regionals as a team.

“The team was awesome on Wednesday (finishing second by 25 strokes to Springstead),” described the 16-year-old Rodney. “No one got discouraged.

“Next week in districts we have to focus a little more,” she continued. “Realistically, we could finish in the middle of the pack like seventh or eighth. I’d like to finish among the top seven; that’s my goal.”

What’s the biggest obstacle on Monday?

“You’ve got to stay consistent,” replied Rodney, who was injured and was limited to three matches last fall. “Everybody has to keep their focus. I’m just like everybody else. I can get better.”

Sharks, Hornets at Shadybrook

First-year Weeki Wachee is expected to join Nature Coast Technical in the tiny Class 1A, District 8 Tournament at Sumterville’s Shadybrook Golf Club.

The Hornets, who did not have enough players to field a team score, finished 0-8-1 under Bonnie Kolling.

Kolling is expected to bring her only player, sophomore Vanessa Moore, to Monday’s tourney which includes only four complete teams: Crystal River, NCT, Dade City-Pasco and host Bushnell-South Sumter.

Moore, a first-year varsity player, averaged 61.7 per nine holes prior to Wednesday’s Hernando County Championship at The Heather. Along the 9-hole executive course, Moore finished with a 65.

Pasco is the defending district champion while Hernando finished runner-up on this same course in 2009.

Unfortunately, Hernando graduated three seniors including 1A-8 medalist Lauren Shuford of Brooksville. The Lady Leopards were unable to field a team this season.

Only the top three teams and top three individuals not associated with those teams will advance to the Class 1A, Region III Meet on Monday, Oct. 25 at the Country Club of Ocala.

NCT felt it underachieved last year in the Sumter County event finishing a disappointing fourth.
This fall, Head Coach Cheryl Paradis’ club finished 7-4-0 overall — with all four setbacks coming at the hands of the unbeaten Springstead Eagles.

In Wednesday’s Hernando County Championship Meet that pattern continued as SHS three-peated as county champs.

NCT was edged out by five shots by surprising Central for second place.

Shark sophomore Kae Elliott, who entered the county championship as the circuit’s second-best player, averaging 43.3 per nine holes, placed third overall.

Elliott, a 2009 All-County performer who advanced to regionals, believes NCT will turn its fortunes around on Monday.

“Wednesday wasn’t my ‘A’ game,” insisted the 15-year-old red head. “From my second shot, things went down hill at The Heather. I’m gonna practice and practice for districts. This time before I face a big shot I’m gonna take a deep breath and then take the shot.”

What about the team?

“At districts, we’re gonna give it our all,” pledged Elliott, the undisputed team leader. “With the end of the nine weeks, we didn’t schedule practice on Thursday or Friday, but on Saturday, the whole team is getting together. I like to have fun out there and we have so much fun as a team.”

AT A GLANCE
WHAT- The Class 2A, District 6 Girls Golf Tournament.
WHO- Sixteen teams are expected to compete including: Belleview, Brooksville-Central, Citra-North Marion, Inverness-Citrus, New Port Richey-Gulf, Ocala-Lake Weir, Ocala-Forest, Ocala-Vanguard, Ocala-West-Port, Land O’Lakes, Land O’Lakes-Sunlake, Lecanto, Leesburg, Spring Hill-Springstead, Wesley Chapel-Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills.
WHERE- Ocala Palms Golf and Country Club, 5174 NW 26th St., Ocala, FL 34482.
WHEN- Play begins at 8:30 a.m.
FORMAT- 18 holes.
AT STAKE- Top three teams and top three individuals not associated with those teams advance to the Oct. 25 Class 2A, Region II Tournament at the Oceanside Country Club hosted by Daytona Beach Seabreeze

AT A GLANCE:
WHAT- The Class 1A, District 8 Girls Golf Tournament.
WHO- Four complete teams are expected to compete including: Crystal River, Brooksville-Nature Coast Technical, Dade City-Pasco and host Bushnell-South Sumter.
WHERE- Shadybrook Golf Club in Sumterville.
WHEN- Play begins at 11 a.m.
FORMAT- 18 holes.
AT STAKE- Top three teams and top three individuals not associated with those teams advance to the Oct. 25 Class 1A, Region III Tournament at The Country Club of Ocala.

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at 352-544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.