Winter Haven's Monteleone wins boys golf county title; Blue Devils take team title
It’s not about being satisfied for Winter Haven's Anthony Monteleone.
Just a sophomore, Monteleone showed throughout the Polk County Golf Championship that laser focus and in the end, he won the tourney his second time Monday at Cleveland Heights Golf Course thanks to his 69.
“Yeah, I was hitting it really good," he said. "I just couldn’t get enough putts to fall. I was just two-putting a lot. … I told myself to make more birdies. I just couldn’t get them to fall (but) ended up coming out with the victory.”
Monteleone chipped on Hole 7. On Hole 8 he started off with a birdie. But for the most part, he was hitting to the center of the green and two-putting.
Monteleone said he was aided by one of his coaches to finish strong.
“Coach Tony (Brabner) came along, which made me not get mad,” Monteleone said.
Monteleone led Winter Haven to the team competition title, which is the first county championship won under head coach Charlie James. Aaron DeWitt, a transfer from All Saints who placed second overall, posted a 70 to help lead the way as well.
“I feel real good. I got this team right here, they are real promising," James said. “All they have to do is go out there and play their game. If they go out there and play their game, ain't too many people that will beat them. If they are on top of their game, then they’re set.”
Finishing right behind Winter Haven in the team competition was Lakeland Christian (334), George Jenkins (345), McKeel (345) and Bartow (355).
“Proud of the guys and what they did today,” Lakeland Christian coach James Boatwright said. “They were striking the ball well. Putting struggled a little bit. Probably could have scored a little bit better. We did lose our No. 3 (Gabe Harrison) during the match and had to go home, so we lost out on one of our better players. But the other guys picked him up. … We can do a little bit better.”
Monday's Results
Medalist: 1. Anthony Monteleone, Winter Haven 69; 2. Aaron DeWitt, Winter Haven 70; 3. KJ Scobey, McKeel 75
Team Results
Winter Haven (298): Anthony Monteleone 69, Aaron DeWitt 70, John Roberts 75, Shawn Ball 84, Dylan DeLeo 87.
Lakeland Christian (334): Riccardo Papis 77, Will Cooper 81, Gray Ottman 83, Camden Lowers 93, Austin Stabler 88.
George Jenkins (345): Nick Simpson 76, Freddie Heid 85, Michael McComas 92, Chase Tilsley 92, Paul Sweeney 94, Owen Wilson 101.
Mckeel (345): KJ Scobey 75, Garrett Jones 88, Samuel Pell 89, Parker Warren 93, Josh Skipper 96.
Bartow (355): Johnnie Womble 87, Lance West 89, Brayden Beasley 89, Michael John Teate 90, Colson Chancey 112.
Robert Magobet can be reached at rmagobet@gannett.com or at 856-905-4537. Follow him on Twitter: @RMagobet31.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Winter Haven's Anthony Monteleone wins boys golf county title; Blue Devils take team title
