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Pinellas Sweep In 2A-4 Golf Regional

East Lake, Dunedin Finish 1-2

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: October 20, 2008

EAST LAKE - They may not have been some of the prettiest looking scorecards that East Lake and Dunedin players ever signed to turn in following Monday's Class 2A, Region 4 tournament at Wentworth Golf Club, but with windy conditions on a tight, unforgiving course, the final results for both teams were as beautiful as it gets.

The two programs combined for a Pinellas County sweep at regionals to gain berths into the 2008 FHSAA State Golf Championships held on Oct. 28-29 at Providence Golf and Country Club in Davenport.

East Lake combined for a 320 to claim the overall victory over second-place Dunedin (332) by 12 strokes.

The Eagles' Linzy Clark topped all scorers with an even-par 71 and solidified East Lake's trip to Davenport. It's the second consecutive year the program has qualified for states, finishing second in last year's regional tournament at Fox Hollow Golf Club.

"I actually think we could have won by a lot more," said Logan Hand, who finished with an 82. "A lot of us didn't play real well, but Linzy came through with one of the lowest scores we've had all season and really secured the lead."

"It's just a good feeling going to states; it's great being back," Clark said. "I putted really well. I didn't ball strike very well, but (my putting) kind of balanced it out."

The wind played a large role in most golfers' inflated scores and Hand said he was less than confident about the team's chances coming off of No. 18.

"Before I came in I was thinking we were going to come in dead last," he said. "But then I came in the clubhouse and was just shocked."

"A lot of good players shot high," East Lake's Terry O'Reilly added.

The Falcons edged out defending regional champ Plant High (333) by one stroke. Dunedin's qualification was sealed on the 18th green when Westin Jensen sank his putt for par with his teammates looking on.

"I saw them all standing around to watch," Jensen said, of his teammates. "I didn't know where we were, but as soon as I heard them go nuts after the putt I knew that probably meant we made it."

"They just kept grinding it out," Dunedin head coach Richard Edmonds said. "They understand team golf. Every stroke matters and we made it by one."

FINAL AREA SCORING:

East Lake (320) – Linzy Clark (71), Logan Hand (82), Jake Johnson (82), Terry O'Reilly (85).

Dunedin (332) – Westin Jensen (80), Travis Huston (80), Andy Norris (85), Justin Foster (87).

Mitchell (336) – Kenny Cavender (76), Sterling Bash (84), Isaac Schaefer (86), Chad Heinz (90).

AREA NOTES:

--Mitchell High missed out by just four strokes Monday, finishing with a 336. Kenny Cavender led the Mustangs with an impressive 76 on a day where only a handful of golfers broke 80.

-- Palm Harbor's Matt Cote – playing individually Monday – qualified for States as well by posting a 73. It was the day's second best round behind Clark's 71.

-- Ridgewood golfers Jordan Padova (80) and Jeff Koos (89) also played in the regional tournament individually.

Eric Horchy can be reached at 727-815-1071 or ehorchy@suncoastnews.com

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