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East Lake Golfers Prep For States

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: October 25, 2007

TARPON SPRINGS - TARPON SPRINGS - For the second time in the school's 20 years of existence, the East Lake boys' golf team is heading to the state championships for a shot at glory.

It certainly was not an easy road the Eagles traveled either.

Following an impressive 14-4 record throughout the season, East Lake stumbled away from district championship play at Wentworth Country Club. Shooting at their home course, the Eagles finished a frustrating third, edging Countryside by four strokes to nab the final regional qualifying spot to be held at Fox Hollow Golf Club. Dunedin High and local rival Palm Harbor University finished one-two that day.

The obstacles and pressure would not subside one bit at Fox Hollow this past Monday. Already known to be a challenging course as is, rain the night before created unpredictable greens that rolled differently from hole to hole and made saves from the sand a nightmare.

Scores breaking 80 were few and far between amongst the 54 golfers in the field, but East Lake put together an impressive combined score of 319 - good for a second place tie with North County nemesis PHU to force a one-hole playoff.

"PHU is a great program. Zack (Sobel)'s a great golfer and leader, and Matt Cote is a good up-and-coming player," East Lake head coach Terry O'Reilly said. "It's a natural rivalry, but it's a fun rivalry. All the golfers are familiar with each other, they're all friendly."

Led throughout the day by seniors Nick Buccina and Tommy Peterson and sophomore Terry O'Reilly East Lake won that pressure-packed hole handedly and off they were. Next stop: The Golf Club at Bridgewater in Lakeland.

"All five starters were back from last year, which was big," Terry O'Reilly said of this year's group, who were district champs in 2006. "We worked really hard in the off-season and through the year. We knew we had a shot."

O'Reilly also noted that the tie with PHU was not his golfer's first go-around with playoff holes. The Eagles played at the Hawkins Invitational in Sebring on Sept. 17 against some of the best golf schools in the state. That went to a playoff as well and when the dust settled, East Lake came out on top there as well, winning the prestigious tournament outright.

The Eagle coach said problems began to arise right before and during district play, with his players starting to play tight.

"They've really stepped up since then," he said. "Now they're playing more relaxed again."

Relaxed is how O'Reilly describes his boys in general, saying they always are hanging out together, going out for wings after every match.

Be that as it may, he also said when it comes to the game, they tirelessly go at it.

"They have the day off today with the physical and mental stress of it all," O'Reilly said the day after qualifying. "But I guarantee they'll all be there (Wentworth) hitting balls. No doubt they're there."

With the state finals Tuesday and Wednesday - 18 holes each day - the Eagles will begin preparing by hitting the course over the weekend and then playing their sanctioned practice round Monday.

To their advantage, they have all seen the Lakeland course in the past.

"East Lake's a little different than some other area schools," O'Reilly said of his program. "We try to play where we know we will play at some point through the year."

"Nothing comes as a surprise."

Equipped with knowledge, oozing with talent and already battle-tested, the only thing now left for East Lake is to leave it all out on the course and hope to put it together just one last time.

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