Experience has taught Winter Haven’s Anthony Monteleone many things. In this particular situation at the 2023 Crutchfield-Hawkins Tournament in Sebring, it’s taught him to never be satisfied despite continuing on an upward trajectory.
The junior golfer shot a 74 and placed fifth out of 159 participants, which is the highest he’s placed at the tournament since he’s been a high school golfer at Winter Haven. All Saints’ Raiden Lyon finished ninth with a 73. Winter Haven’s John Roberts and Tyler Loftus placed 25th thanks to shooting a 76; Frostproof’s Joao Skolnik and Winter Haven’s James Aguilar placed 31st with a 77; and Frostproof’s Jordan Castillo placed 42nd with a 78.
“It definitely wasn’t a great round. It’s just, the greens were fresher in other areas, so it was really just whether they go in or not and I just put it (in) in the beginning, but after that, I couldn’t get nothing to go in,” Monteleone said. “I mean I hit some really good shots. I just couldn’t get anything to go in the hole.”
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Still, it was an improvement since the last time The Ledger’s 2022 Golfer of the Year played on the course: As a freshman he shot a 76.
And he had a certain mentality thanks to the experience of golfing on the course.
“(I) just try and go out there and be patient with the birdies and don’t get frustrated if they’re going in the hole or not,” Monteleone said. “(I) was really just trying to keep my mind positive and give myself the best chance at it.”
This mindset led him to shooting some of his best shots of the day.
On holes three and four, Monteleone was able to drive the ball well on the fairway before wedging to a distance of 10 to 15 feet. He executed two putts which resulted in 2-under after four holes.
But then he missed a par putt on the next hole, which started the pattern of scoring pars, which is something Monteleone strives not to do.
Monteleone said his fifth-place finish was attributed to staff aerating the course, which in turn made it a little bumpy.
“(I) just really couldn’t get nothing to roll on the line the way I wanted to,” Monteleone said.
Winter Haven finished third as a team with a score of 300, while Frostproof (327) was 13th and George Jenkins (336) was 15th.
“We had a good day. We were one shot from being in second place,” Winter Haven head coach Charlie James said. ” I feel good. Last year we were way back. …We finished higher than we did this year. I’m excited with the three tournaments (Jenkins, Hawkins and Venice). … I see an improvement every time.”
Monteleone said his team has a chance to go to state.
“We’re a good team. … I’m really proud of our No. 2 — he’s getting there,” Monteleone said. “Our No. 4 today played really good and hopefully this week we keep playing like this and get our 2, 3, 4 and 5 to shoot scores and give us a chance to go to state.”
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Monteleone places 4th in Crutchfield golf tourney; Winter Haven 3rd
