Prep golf: Gulf Coast boys, girls headed to 3A state tournament

Daily News staff


Gulf Coast High School


The Gulf Coast High School boys and girls golf teams are going to the Class 3A state tournament.

That's not entirely unexpected, but the way each of them got there is definitely that.

"It's nice to both be there," girls coach Jonas Rockhold said. "We're obviously making a name for Gulf Coast High School golf. They support each other. They get along very well, too."

The boys' Mason Messina found out an hour before the 3A-5 region boys tournament at Lakewood he was playing after teammate Jack Irons' back tightened up on him. Messina, a transfer from Community School, proceeded to fire a 6-over-par 78 to tie for fourth overall and lead the Sharks to a 320 to win the title by two over Lakewood Ranch.

"Mason could not have had a better attitude," boys coach Kimberly Benedict said. "He was just relaxed out there and had a blast. ... He was absolutely huge in our victory."

Benedict said Irons' back had been bothering him off and on the past couple of weeks, which is why she brought Messina.

Gulf Coast's Remi Chartier had a 79 to tie for seventh overall and senior Matt Ariza shot an 80 to tie for ninth. Ryan Hart shot an 83 for the last counting score. Joey Burke, who led the Sharks at districts, had an 84.

"Matt's my only senior and Remi was my only junior in the lineup," Benedict said. "We needed the consistency from them and their leadership. Both Remi and Matt didn't have great days, but they hung in there."

It's the third straight state tournament appearance for the boys, who were ninth last year and sixth in 2015.

Meanwhile, the Sharks girls are making a return trip after losing both their top player -- Vasy Montague -- to graduation and their coach from last year's 10th-place team.

"I'm very proud of this team," Rockhold said. "They've really worked hard over the season. ... I think people kind of wrote us off. They're playing very strong right now. The hard work pays off. It shows."

Senior Cristal Olguin shot an 89 to lead the Sharks and tie for eighth overall.

Freshman Megan Ariza returned from an injury to shoot a 93 and finish second for Gulf Coast, followed by sophomore Kylie Mani (99), senior Azelle Dietter (101) and junior Sierra Studer (105).

"She never gave up the idea of playing at the end of the year," Rockhold said of Ariza. "I was proud of the whole team. Cristal came in with the low score but the whole team has pulled together. It's not always the same girl each time. They've really kind of embraced the team concept.

"We're having fun right now. People did not expect us to get there. Now we're playing our best golf."

The 3A state tournament is Nov. 3-4 at Mission Inn Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills.

Class 3A-Region 5 tournament


Team scores

(Top 2 advance)

1. Gulf Coast 320; 2. Lakewood Ranch 322; 3. Sarasota-Riverview 328; 4. Lithia-Newsome 334; 5. Venice 342; 6. Fort Myers 347; 7. Bloomingdale 353; 8. Plant City 354; 9. Charlotte 361


1. Zack Kubik, North Port 73; 2. Matt Burton, Lakewood Ranch, 76; 3. Drew Angelo, Lakewood Ranch 77; 4. Josh Perna, Riverview, 78; 4. E.J. Odegard, Riverview, 78; 4. Mason Messina, Gulf Coast, 78; 7. Remi Chartier, Gulf Coast, 79; 7. Dalun Salters, Fort Myers, 79; 9. Dhruv Patel, Newsome, 80; 9. Matt Ariza, Gulf Coast, 80

Qualifying individuals

(Top 2 not on advancing team)

1. Kubik 73; 2. Perna 78 (won playoff)


Team scores

Lakewood Ranch 341, Gulf Coast 382, Sarasota-Riverview 392, Venice 394, Charlotte 403, Plant City 415, Durant 425, Fort Myers 434, Bloomingdale 470


1. Gabrielle Tomeo, Manatee, 77; 2. Ashley Angelo, Lakewood Ranch, 79; 2. Taylor Dedman, Plant City, 79; 4. Aaron Whitley, Riverview, 80; 5. Natalie Robinson, Lakewood Ranch, 82; 6. Brianna Orr, Riverview, 83; 7. Laren Fender, Charlotte, 86; 8. Isabella Panek, Venice, 89; 8. Cristal Olguin, Gulf Coast, 89; 8. Becky Davis, Charlotte, 89; 8. Darby Laurvick, Lakewood Ranch, 89

Qualifying individuals

(Top 2 not on advancing team)

1. Tomeo 77; 2. Dedman 79