Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Broward cousins set for state tourney; Cypress Bay’s girls take their fifth shot
A pair of cousins, both high school freshmen, will play in the Class 3A state golf tournament on Tuesday and Wednesday at Mission Inn and Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills.
Douglas’ Taylor Roberts last week shot a 77 to win medalist honors at the 3A girls regionals to help the Eagles card a team score of 339 to advance to states for the third consecutive year.
One day later, her cousin Brett Roberts, a St. Thomas Aquinas ninth-grader, shot a 72 at regionals to help the Raiders beat Spanish River by two shots at the Jacaranda Golf Club.
“There is a friendly competition between me and Brett and we will always do something when one of us sets the bar high like that,” Taylor said. “It was very cool that we both advanced.”
Brett Roberts, who rocketed up the junior world rankings from 55th to the top 15, was happy to accomplish one of his “long-term” goals heading into high school.
“It is really cool to be going to states because not many freshmen get that opportunity,” Brett Roberts said. “Taylor and I might make a dinner bet.”
St. Thomas Aquinas boys coach Tony Vento also received strong play from juniors Alex Martel and Joe Lewis. It is the Raiders’ first trip to state as a team in six years.
“Our regional is very tough. Most of the time whoever comes out of our region comes in the top 10 in the state,” Vento said. “I would say depending how the course sets up, we have a chance to win it.”
Boca Raton, which finished state runner-up the past two years, failed to qualify as it lost in a playoff to rival Spanish River, however Bobcat junior Anthony Muttillo was medalist and qualified as an individual. Palm Beach Central senior Louis Serrone also qualified.
The Bobcats’ hopes of winning a state title took a hit before the season began when junior Luke Gifford transferred into Spanish River. The Bobcats’ loss was the Sharks’ gain as Gifford shot 72 at the regional. Three other Spanish River juniors — Michael Checo, Ryan Adams and Jack Braverman — also helped the team to a runner-up regional finish.
The Cypress Bay’s girls team is headed to state for a fifth year. The Lightning, which won the state title in 2013, was led at regionals by senior Andrea Presilla and juniors Britney Buckley and Gabrielle Soares.
Cypress Bay’s boys team will send seniors Cole Castro and Kyle Andrews.
Park Vista’s girls, led by sophomore Tamsyn Butler and senior Serina Combs were runner-up. Spanish River sophomore Taylor Caradonna and Wellington freshman Mia Jones also qualified.
The Class 1A tournament will be Friday and Saturday, while 2A competes Nov. 1-2.