Pinellas state golf update

Northside Christian is in third place with a team score of 323 after Tuesday’s first round at the girl’s golf state championships at Ridgewood Lakes Golf and County Club in Davenport. The Mustangs are 12 shots behind St. Stephens and 23 off leader American Heritage’s pace.

“American Heritage is ever but as good as advertised,” Mustangs coach D.J. Jackson said. Weather turned a bit ugly throughout the afternoon Monday, lowering a number of Northside scores. St. Stephens had the luxury of teeing off at 8 a.m. and got some holes in before a storm rolled in.

“They probably got like six or seven holes in before is got nasty,” Jasckson said. “It got pretty rough out there on a very difficult course to begin with.”

Northside’s A.J. Newell and Michelle Butler carded 79 while Morgan Jackson fired an 82. But the Mustang’s No.s 4 and 5 shot 95 and 99, respectively.

“If we can get the fours and fives down to where they should be, we have a chance at catching St. Stephens,” Jackson said.

Devin Hernandez (70) is three shots off the lead in the 1A individual competition at Southern Dunes Golf and Country Club in Haines City. East Lake’s Nick Buccina is tied for 11th in the 2A competition at The Golf Club at Bridgewater in Lakeland, six shots off the pace.

Brandon Wright