- November 22, 2024
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Matanzas golfer Alexandra Gazzoli, who won an AJGA tournament last spring, received an at-large berth into the FHSAA Class 2A state tournament. File photo
Seabreeze golfers Hannah Howell, Riley Fletcher, Amelia Cobb, Hannah Ashton, Taylor Dytkowski and Summer Martin after the Sandcrabs won the Volusia-Flagler tournament in September. File photo
Seabreeze's golfers will know what to expect when they compete in the Class 2A girls state championship Nov. 15-16.
The Sandcrabs placed fourth at state last year and four Seabreeze golfers will be making a return trip to the tournament at Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howey-in-the-Hills.
"We have experience," said Seabreeze coach Cory Flickinger. "It's a 36-hole tournament, and that's a long two days, so anything can happen. They have a better understanding of what to expect."
Matanzas' Alexandra Gazzoli and Seabreeze's Amelia Cobb will be making their third trip to states. Last year, Gazzoli placed second behind individual champ Sabree Lefevbre of Riverview Spoto, while Cobb was third.
"We have experience. It's a 36-hole tournament, and that's a long two days, so anything can happen. They have a better understanding of what to expect."
— CORY FLICKINGER, Seabreeze girls golf coach
Gazzoli needed an at-large qualifying bid to make the tournament field this year. Four at-large bids are awarded to individuals based on district and regional scores and courses' slope and rating. She is seeded third among the state's individual qualifiers.
"Alexandra had a rough day at regional," Matanzas coach Brandie Alred said.
Gazzoli shot a 77 at Quail Heights Golf Club in Lake City and was not one of the top three individuals (who were not on qualifying teams) to automatically advance to state. A week earlier, the junior shot 71 at Palatka Golf Club to lead the Pirates to their fourth straight district championship.
"I'm glad Alexandra made it (to state)," Alred said. "She knows the course. She won't have to scout it. She can just work on pin placement (in practice)."
The Sandcrabs are seeded third among the 16 teams at state behind two-time Class 2A state champ Plantation American Heritage and Ponte Vedra.
"I think we can finish among the top two if we play to the best of our ability," Flickinger said.
Seabreeze won its regional tournament at Dubsdread Golf Course in Orlando by 25 strokes with a team score of 312. Three Sandcrabs finished among the top 10, led by regional champ Riley Fletcher, who shot a 74. Cobb finished fourth with a 76, while freshman Taylor Dytkowski was eighth with an 80.
Fletcher's improvement has been a big boost to the Sandcrabs this season.
"She's improved greatly this year," Flickinger said. "She's gained a lot of confidence in her game. She's matured a lot as far as trusting herself."
Cobb and Gazzoli both qualified for state individually as freshmen in 2020. Gazzoli finished tied for third with a 150. She shot 144 last year, two strokes ahead of Cobb.
"At regional, Amelia had an off day, but she's still the leader of our team," Flickinger said. "She's steady. She doesn't miss too many shots. If she can get her putter going, she's as good as anybody in the state."
