East Lake (320) and Dunedin (332) advanced at the state Region Five Golf Tournament today at Wentworth Golf Club in Tarpon Springs knocking Plant (333), Chamberlain (346), and Gaither (the district 10 teams) out of the state playoffs. Ian McConnell with a one over par 72 and Matt Kotay at 73 were the individuals to advance to the state playoff next week.
The Chiefs' sophomore leader Gary Buffington shot a Chamberlain team leading 79 thus lacking six shots from making the state championship tournament. Gary had a tough start and was three over through five holes then had a birdie, but it was quickly followed by a double bogie. He hit just three greens in regulation as the iron game struggled, but the short game held him in the tournament with multiple up and downs and only 25 putts. In spite of the struggles, Gary maintained focus, played tough and finished eighth for the Tournament and low man for the Chiefs.
As Gary's Grandpa, I am very proud of the season he had. He led the team in scoring average (1.83 over par) for the 13 regular season matches and was team medalist or tied for team medalist in 12 out of 15 matches. He was match medalist or tied for medalist (winner) in five of 15 matches. In the playoffs he shot 74/79 to finish second and eighth and again led the team. These scores are about 4 shots better than his freshman year.
Chiefs' junior Brett Blair proved he can be helpful to the team as he took second for the Chiefs with a round of 83. If Brett can stay on the active play list next year he can be a contributor to the team. Far off their season averages Freshman Trevor Joseph shot 91 and Sophomore Skyler Estes shot 93. The scores reflect the difficulty of the course.
With one junior, three sophomores and a freshman, the young Chiefs should be a factor in the region in 2009. Check the 2008 statistics for an idea of what we have in store for the future of Chiefs' golf.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Gary Picked as a "Player to Watch at Regionals" by the St Petersburgh Times
Here is a write up from the St. Pete Times on the Regional Tournament.
Here are St. Pete Times Region Tournament "Fast Facts."
Here are St. Pete Times Region Tournament "Fast Facts."
Monday, October 13, 2008
Gary Buffington Leads Chief's at District Tournament
See the Tampa Tribune Online writeup about this tournament action. Click the link and scroll down to 2A-10 Boys.
Gary shot a 74 to finish second individual in the district tournament of eight teams and forty players at Silver Dollar Golf Course leading the Chiefs to a tie for second in the Florida district 10 Class 2A boys golf championships (Tampa, Florida area). With today's results the Chiefs advance to the Region 5 Tournament next week at Stony Brook Golf Club. Also advancing are District Champion Plant with a score of 315 and Gaither which tied Chamberlain with a score of 335. Plant's senior Doug Letson won the individual title with a nice round of 72 to beat Gary by two shots. The other Chamberlain players did not fare too well as the course played extremely tough with water, out of bounds, and severe wind on the back nine holes. Skyler Estes shot 87, Trevor Joseph 86, Brett Blair 88, and Justin McCormick 100. All the teammates scores were significantly above their season averages; but, nevertheless, the team tied for second and moves on to the Regional tournament next week.
Gary points out the toughness of the course when the forty players shot a combined 70 over par on the first hole (where he made a par). On the 512 yard par five 16th they were playing into the wind. His drive was 279 from the pin, but he elected to hit a six iron layup to 139. From there he missed the green but got up and down for par. On the seventeenth hole, a 600 yard par 5, there is water and out of bounds trouble so Gary hit a four iron off the tee to the right rough followed by another four iron across the fairway to the left rough on the edge of the sixteenth fairway (on purpose!) and was still 220 yards from the hole. He then layed up to avoid water (the David Toms' approach in the US Open Several years back) with a five wood and made a nice up and down for a par. For the day he hit six fairways and nine greens and got up and down seven out of nine times with 29 putts. He double bogied the second hole but birdied three and eight to shoot even par on the front. He bogied 11, 12, and 13 and pared all the rest. It's of interest to me (grandpa) how many times he makes birdie after a double bogie! That says a lot about his mental approach to the game which was described as "fearless" by James Fitzgerald, the head professional at Chevy Chase Country Club (Washington, DC) last year.
Gary shot a 74 to finish second individual in the district tournament of eight teams and forty players at Silver Dollar Golf Course leading the Chiefs to a tie for second in the Florida district 10 Class 2A boys golf championships (Tampa, Florida area). With today's results the Chiefs advance to the Region 5 Tournament next week at Stony Brook Golf Club. Also advancing are District Champion Plant with a score of 315 and Gaither which tied Chamberlain with a score of 335. Plant's senior Doug Letson won the individual title with a nice round of 72 to beat Gary by two shots. The other Chamberlain players did not fare too well as the course played extremely tough with water, out of bounds, and severe wind on the back nine holes. Skyler Estes shot 87, Trevor Joseph 86, Brett Blair 88, and Justin McCormick 100. All the teammates scores were significantly above their season averages; but, nevertheless, the team tied for second and moves on to the Regional tournament next week.
Gary points out the toughness of the course when the forty players shot a combined 70 over par on the first hole (where he made a par). On the 512 yard par five 16th they were playing into the wind. His drive was 279 from the pin, but he elected to hit a six iron layup to 139. From there he missed the green but got up and down for par. On the seventeenth hole, a 600 yard par 5, there is water and out of bounds trouble so Gary hit a four iron off the tee to the right rough followed by another four iron across the fairway to the left rough on the edge of the sixteenth fairway (on purpose!) and was still 220 yards from the hole. He then layed up to avoid water (the David Toms' approach in the US Open Several years back) with a five wood and made a nice up and down for a par. For the day he hit six fairways and nine greens and got up and down seven out of nine times with 29 putts. He double bogied the second hole but birdied three and eight to shoot even par on the front. He bogied 11, 12, and 13 and pared all the rest. It's of interest to me (grandpa) how many times he makes birdie after a double bogie! That says a lot about his mental approach to the game which was described as "fearless" by James Fitzgerald, the head professional at Chevy Chase Country Club (Washington, DC) last year.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Post Season Playoff Information
On October 13 the team will enter tournament play for state championship qualification at level 2A. There are both team and individual champions each week at two levels of qualifying tournaments: District 10 and then Region 5. The top two teams will qualify to move on at each tournament. Also the top two individuals not on a qualifying team with a score within 5 shots of the best individual on the qualifying teams will move on individually to the next level. This method gives the best teams and the best individuals a chance at state honors.
For full information, meeting notices, practice times, yardages, accommodations see the FSHAA Website.
District 10, 2A Playoffs, 18 holes: (Monday, October 13, 2008 at 8 AM). Hosted by Alonso High School at Silver Dollar Golf Club
Regional 5 Playoffs, 18 holes: (Monday, October 20, 2008, 11 AM): Hosted by Lakewood Ranch High School at Wentworth Golf Club
State Championships, 36 holes: (Practice Round Monday, October 27; Championship rounds Tuesday and Wednesday, October 28 and 29, 2008) played at Providence Golf Club
For full information, meeting notices, practice times, yardages, accommodations see the FSHAA Website.
District 10, 2A Playoffs, 18 holes: (Monday, October 13, 2008 at 8 AM). Hosted by Alonso High School at Silver Dollar Golf Club
Regional 5 Playoffs, 18 holes: (Monday, October 20, 2008, 11 AM): Hosted by Lakewood Ranch High School at Wentworth Golf Club
State Championships, 36 holes: (Practice Round Monday, October 27; Championship rounds Tuesday and Wednesday, October 28 and 29, 2008) played at Providence Golf Club
Chiefs Beat Gaither in Final Match of the 2008 Year
The Chamberlain Chiefs beat Gaither by nine shots at the Babe Zaharias Golf Course in the last match of the 2008 year; thus ending the season with 7 wins and 7 losses. Chamberlain's Skyler Estes won the match with a two over par score of 38. Gary and Trevor Joseph and Gaither's Josh Black each shot 40 with Brett Blair shooting a nice 41 after missing several weeks of play.
So the team enters state playoffs with a win, improved team scores, and Brett Blair back in the fold.
Way to go Chiefs! Check out the Team's final statistics spreadsheet and the state playoff information in adjacent entries.
So the team enters state playoffs with a win, improved team scores, and Brett Blair back in the fold.
Way to go Chiefs! Check out the Team's final statistics spreadsheet and the state playoff information in adjacent entries.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Rain Cancellation at the Babe
Today's two team match against Alonso High School was rained out at the Babe Zaharias Golf Course. Gary hit the first four greens in regulation and made two birdie putts. He was two under par and in the middle of the fairway 60 yards from the fifth green when there came a gully washer and the match was canceled. There will be no makeup as another match is scheduled for tomorrow and then the high school regular season ends. State playoffs begin next week with districts, followed by regionals, and then the state championship finals. Gary and his Dad have reviewed and practiced on the site of the district tournament at the Silver Dollar Golf Course. The FSHAA site has all the particulars about the playoffs.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Chiefs Split at Rogers Park Golf Club; District, Regional, and State Playoffs Near
Playing their second match in two days the Chiefs split with Catholic High and Jesuit High in a three team match at the city's Rogers Park Golf Course. Both Sophomores Gary Buffington and Skyler Estes shot 3 over par 39 and Freshman Trevor Joseph and junior Justin McCormick shot 41 as Chamberlain came in with a team score of 160. Jesuit won the match with a score of 156 and a nice even par score of 36 by xxx Silver and a 39 by yyy Towney. The Chiefs beat Catholic lead by Trent Stoker with a one over par 37 and a team score of 162.
There are just two regular season matches left in the 2008 season and then the boys will participate in district and regional playoffs trying to earn a spot in the state playoffs. There are both team and individual state honors in golf. Several years ago Arnold Palmer's grandson Sam was Florida State High School Golf Champion.
The Chamberlain Chiefs are in District 10, Class 2A, of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA).
There are just two regular season matches left in the 2008 season and then the boys will participate in district and regional playoffs trying to earn a spot in the state playoffs. There are both team and individual state honors in golf. Several years ago Arnold Palmer's grandson Sam was Florida State High School Golf Champion.
The Chamberlain Chiefs are in District 10, Class 2A, of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA).
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