Atlantic's Whiting birdies playoff hole, advances to Class 2A golf finals

ORLANDO — Tylar Whiting came up a stroke shy in her first attempt at cracking the state golf tournament last year.

On Tuesday, she came up clutch.

The Atlantic sophomore sunk a 15-foot birdie on the third playoff hole at Dubsdread Golf Course, ensuring her spot in next month's Class 2A championships as an individual qualifier. Whiting carded a 5-over 75, deadlocked for second place overall along with Lake Wales' Reeya Patel and Gulf's Bailey Weaver.

Whiting made pars at Nos. 1 and 18, then returned to the first hole and made the clinching birdie.

"I just tried to stay positive," Whiting said. "I wasn't worried about what (the other players) were going to do. I just thought about my game, chipping it close and making a putt. … It feels incredible."

Erica Darcy, who represented the Sharks in Howey-in-the-Hills last year, shot 79 and could still earn one of four wild cards.

New Smyrna Beach's girls placed fourth in the team competition with a team score of 413, led by Lauren Perry's 90. The Barracudas finished 63 shots behind McKeel for the third and final spot.

On Monday, New Smyrna Beach and Seabreeze's boys both advanced in the Region 2-2A tournament. Derek Sanderson shot 3-over 74 for New Smyrna, and freshman Danny Byers tallied a 77.

For the Sandcrabs, Harley Rossi turned in the top round (77), and Matthew Hewitt added a 79.

The Class 2A finals are scheduled for Nov. 5-6 at Mission Inn Resort & Club, the host site for all classifications.

Colee heading back to states

Father Lopez senior Lisa Colee will get one last crack at a state championship.

The News-Journal reigning Girls Golfer of the Year, Colee shot 1 over Monday at Timacuan Golf & Country Club in Lake Mary to finish in a tie for ninth in Region 2-1A. She has qualified for states in all four years, placing sixth during the 2018 tournament with back-to-back even-par rounds of 72.

The Class 1A finals are set for Nov. 1-2.

Creek boys wait for wild card

Spruce Creek will have to wait and see if sixth place is good enough to gain entry into the Class 3A finals.

The Hawks hope to grab one of the four statewide wild cards after failing to ensure a spot with a top-three showing. In past seasons, only the three lowest-scoring teams per region advanced, along with the three top individuals on teams who failed to qualify.

"We are not dead yet," Hawks coach Mark Grose said.

Tallahasee Chiles won the regional crown with a total score of 284 at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club. Winter Park (299) and Ocala Forest (304) secured the other two spots. Spruce Creek shot 27-over 315.

Cole Haygood turned in the Hawks' top round with a 76. University's Bryce Werblo, competing as an individual, fired a 75.

Class 3A will be the first to compete at Mission Inn, set for Oct. 29-30.