by Winter Haven senior golfer Anthony Monteleone has been through almost every scenario when it comes to high school golf. But during the 2024 FHSAA Class 3A Boys’ Golf State Championship at Mission Inn Resort, the decorated golfer experienced something he’s never done before.
It was a four-hole playoff against two big names: Parker Severs of Lakewood Ranch High School and Shawn Coultoff of West Orange. The group played the first two holes of hole 18, but ultimately only Monteleone and Parker remained. The two played hole 1 and both made par, then continued to hole 17, where Monteleone birdied and Parker made par.
The two-time Ledger Golfer of the Year ended up shooting a 70 on Day 2 after shooting a 71 on Day 1.
“I played really well throughout the playoffs and I feel like I really deserved it to win against two big DI commits,” Monteleone said. “It’s amazing to win… Knowing that’s my main goal for the last four years. Last year I got second place and I knew this year would be mine. I can’t explain how happy I was to win in the playoffs like I did.
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But of course, Monteleone’s entourage had a lot to do with the state champion’s success.
His two golf coaches, Tony Brabiner and Charlie James, were of great help to him. Specifically for Brabiner, he really changed the way Monteleone played this tournament by making him play smart from the start and hitting multiple 3-woods and 2-irons instead of drivers.
Yet to become a state champion, Monteleone needed the execution of those critical shots. His best shot was the 100-yarder he hit to within a foot of the hole to win the playoff, followed by several iron shots he hit for birdies, keeping him in the lead. title race. The Winter Haven native opened with three birdies in his first three holes on the first day.
“I’m proud of the way Anthony Monteleone played in the 3A Boys Golf State Championship,” James said. “He was depressed, but he never gave up. He believed in himself and so did we. He showed real maturity in his game. His swing coach, Tony, came to the practice round and helped develop a game plan and Anthony stuck to it. He showed no negative emotions when things didn’t go his way and continued to play.
“During a four-hole playoff against two of the best competition in the state, Anthony played like he truly wanted to be a champion. It paid off. He is now a Class 3A individual champion. He had a lot of support from his family and school friends…. People were asking all day, “What is Anthony doing?” I’m sure he gets plenty of well-deserved kudos. I’m grateful to have had him as a player. Thanks from me to his parents, Ralph and Tammy, for this opportunity.
Monteleone is currently preparing for all of his individual tournaments and his debut at Florida Southern, where he will play college golf.
Hancock finishes 15th in Class 3A girls
The Ledger’s two-time Golfer of the Year, Kathleen’s Darby Hancock, placed 15th with a score of 148 over a two-day span Tuesday at Mission Inn Resort.
“It wasn’t the result I expected given the way I played this season,” Hancock said.
Spence, McKeel girls place 3rd in Class 2A state action
Georgia Grace Spence finished third in state action, as did her team as the McKeel girls team placed third at the 2024 FHSAA Class 2A Golf State Championship at Mission Inn Resort on Friday with a score of 630.
Spence finished his two-day show with a 148.
“Finishing third is the goal we set for ourselves during the season, so I’m extremely happy that we achieved that goal,” said McKeel head golf coach Jeremy Bohnenstiehl. “The determining factor for our excellent result was that the girls stepped up and scored when they needed to. I couldn’t be more proud of the way the girls played and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us next season.
Helping McKeel’s cause was junior golfer Caroline DeKalb, who carded a 160 and ranked 27th in two days of action. Junior golfer Ava Bustos shot a 161 and finished 29th; freshman golfer Diya Kavalackal shot a 162 and finished 32nd; and senior golfer Carly McKnight scored 169 and finished 48th.
Castillo places in Class 1A action
Continuing her momentum into the 2024 golf season, Frostproof freshman Hannah Castillo finished with a score of 155 in two days of work, placing 49th in state play.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Winter Haven’s Anthony Monteleone wins FHSAA golf title, McKeel girls take 3rd place
