Wunderlich’s goal is to try to make it to the state competition this year.
DENNIS JACOB/TCPALM
Longtime coach Larry Sweazey never expected his Jensen Beach High School boys golf team to pull off its first undefeated regular season.
Thanks to the deepest lineup in the program’s 15-year history, the Falcons are the runaway favorite to defend their District 22-2A championship Tuesday at Sandridge Golf Club in Vero Beach.
“I knew I had some talent, but I didn’t expect my No. 4 and 5 guys to come through as well as they’ve done all year,” said Sweazey, Jensen Beach’s coach since 2007.
Jensen Beach already had a solid top three with junior Royce Howley, senior Chase Scholze and junior Brandon Burkhamer, all of whom average about 74 for 18 holes.
Senior Cooper Carmody has averaged 80 out of the No. 4 spot while sophomore Connor Honea shaved more than 15 strokes off his 2017 average, producing rounds of 79 to 81.
“That’s huge when you can have a kid that’s that consistent at that lower role,” Swezey said. “It just picks up the rest of the teammates when you know you have that consistency down below.”:
Jensen Beach has won five district titles — four in the past five years — since the program began in 2004. The Falcons finished eight strokes ahead of Port St. Lucie a year ago.
Their low nine-hole round was a 1-over 145 at Indian Hills in Fort Pierce. The Falcons also won the Sailfish Invitational for the first time in five years.
Sandridge also is the host course for the Region 8-2A tournament Oct. 22. Jensen Beach never has gone to state.
“The 19-0 is a great practice, but now it’s time, basically, to show me what you know,” Sweazey said. “This is where it’s at. I’ll tell them right before the district and regions (to) just go out there and enjoy yourselves, shoot your average and you’ve got an opportunity.”
Besides Jensen Beach’s top players, Sebastian River’s Ryder Williamson and defending champion Fletcher Wunderlich of Port St. Lucie should contend for medalist honors.
Wunderlich has been the area’s most consistent golfer, twice shooting a 32 in nine-hole matches and finishing the regular season with a 33.
Boys teams from Vero Beach, Martin County and Pine School also will try to defend district titles, as will the Martin County and Sebastian River girls teams.
The top three teams and top three players not on qualifying teams advance to regional tournaments Oct. 22-24.
More: PrepZone trends: PGA Tour is Port St. Lucie golfer Fletcher Wunderlich’s ultimate goal
16-3A
When: Boys, 8:30 a.m. Monday; Girls, 8:30 a.m. Tuesday
Where: Royal St. Cloud Golf Links, 5310 Michigan Ave., St. Cloud
Teams: Harmony, Melbourne, St. Cloud, Vero Beach, Viera
2017 champions: BOYS, Vero Beach won by 10 strokes over Harmony; GIRLS, Viera won by 77 strokes over St. Cloud.
17-3A
When: Boys, 9:30 a.m. Monday; Girls, 9:30 a.m. Tuesday
Where: The Florida Club, 9005 SW Old Royal Drive, Stuart
Teams: Fort Pierce Central, Martin County, St. Lucie West Centennial, South Fork, Treasure Coast
2017 champions: BOYS, Martin County won by 60 strokes over South Fork; GIRLS, Martin County won by 62 storkes over South Fork
22-2A
When: Boys, 10 a.m. Tuesday; Girls, 10 a.m. Wednesday
Where: Sandridge Golf Club, 5300 73rd St., Vero Beach
Teams: Clewiston, Fort Pierce Westwood (boys only), Jensen Beach, Lincoln Park Academy, Okeechobee, Port St. Lucie, Sebastian River
2017 champions: BOYS, Jensen Beach (338) won by 10 strokes over Port St. Lucie; GIRLS, Sebastian River won by 9 strokees over Port St. Lucie.
19-1A
When: Boys and girls, 8:45 a.m. Tuesday
Where: Stuart Yacht and Country Club, Stuart
Teams: Benjamin, John Carroll Catholic, Jupiter Christian, Pine School, St. Edward’s (boys only)
2017 champios: BOYS, Pine School won by 2 strokes over Benjamin; GIRLS, Benjamin won by 20 strokes over Pine School
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