Oviedo Boys’ Golf — Midseason Report Card
At the midpoint of our season, our results show progress—and plenty of room to keep improving. After shooting 331 at the Oviedo Invitational, our next four tournament rounds improved to 323, 319, 317 and 313. Our two most recent completed nine-hole matches produced scores of six over par against Lake Howell and five over against Seminole.
One of the most encouraging changes is our ability to limit big numbers. Among our four counting scores, doubles or worse dropped from three against Lake Brantley to two against Lake Howell to none against Seminole. Keeping one mistake from becoming two is making a difference.
Our ball striking has also shown encouraging signs. At Stoneybrook West, our four counting players combined to hit 41 greens in regulation. That gives us opportunities to score—and reinforces why turning those chances into pars and birdies remains a focus in practice.
Putting remains an area where we need greater consistency. We finished above our team putting goal in each of the eight rounds leading into Seminole, but in that match, our four counting players needed just 54 putts—six below our goal. Accomplishing that in rain and wind made the performance especially encouraging. That round showed what we can do when we putt well and keep big numbers off the card.
We’ve also seen contributions throughout the lineup. Each of our top five players has turned in a stellar round this season. Xander has been under par several times, and Landon finished under par on the back nine at the Boone Invitational. Holt has been a steady force this season, turning in several even-par rounds. Grayson and Hayden have both shot rounds under 40 and show real promise. Our strongest team rounds depend on four players contributing, and these results show what is possible when those efforts come together.
Lions Battle Rain and Wind to Post 149 at Twin Rivers
The Oviedo boys’ golf team fired an impressive 149—just five over par—in Thursday’s match against Seminole at Twin Rivers, battling wind and persistent rain throughout the afternoon.
“What a miserable day,” Coach Howell remarked afterward. “We warmed up in a light, misty rain, and I told the kids it would stop around 4:00 p.m. The last group came in at 6:30, and it was still raining.”
Senior captains Xander Pendry and Holt Rue led the Lions with impressive even-par rounds of 36—outstanding performances in the challenging weather.
“I’m lucky,” Howell remarked. “A lot of teams have a solid kid at number one. I have two golfers who can play with anybody. They both hit the ball well, can scramble if a shot goes off-line and can putt like maniacs.”
Pendry stood two over par after seven holes before closing with back-to-back birdies to finish even.
“It shows what a competitor he really is,” Howell stated. “The rain had picked up, and he still managed to finish with two great holes. That’s what makes him so good. You could tell he didn't like being over par, but never lost his focus.”
Rue took a different route to his 36, recording nine straight pars despite hitting only three greens in regulation.
“You know,” Howell remarked, “Holt gets overlooked by some people because we have Xander. He shouldn’t be. He’s a relentless competitor who grinds out every hole to post the lowest score he can. Nine straight pars while hitting only three greens in regulation tells you how hard he fought today.”
Spectators following the group reported that Rue hit several outstanding bunker shots, helping him save par and remain even throughout the round.
Grayson Oldson added a very respectable 38, hitting seven fairways and five greens in regulation while avoiding penalties and double bogeys.
“It’s kind of a shame,” Howell continued. “He had a couple of minor hiccups coming down the stretch, but he very easily could have turned in our third even-par round.”
One costly moment came when Oldson’s tee shot on a par three missed right of the green in heavy rain, and his chip left him a 10-footer for par. Another came when his wedge shot from beneath a tree landed at the top of the hill beside the green but rolled all the way down to the cart path.
Hayden Fuller rounded out the Lions’ counting scores with a 39. The weather bothered him early, but he settled down and closed with five straight pars.
“I don’t think we’ve seen his best yet,” Howell remarked. “He strikes the ball well. If his short game comes around, he can shoot even par as well.”
Landon Francis finished at eight over par with a 44.
“Some kids are bothered more by the weather, and it seemed to affect Landon today,” Howell stated. “He just couldn’t quite get things going.”
Cole Herbet filled the sixth spot in the lineup and shot 47. A costly quadruple bogey on the second hole hurt his round; a par or bogey there would have brought his score down to 43 or 44.
“He’s still learning the game,” Howell remarked. “I wish he had started playing three years ago.”
The four counting players combined for 54 putts—six better than the team’s nine-hole goal—with no reported misses inside six feet and no double bogeys. In conditions that tested both patience and execution, the Lions delivered a strong team performance.
It Is Not Too Early to Think About Next Year’s Golf Team
The work that prepared this year’s team began back in December. After taking a month off following the season, our players started getting ready for the next one. It can be a demanding process, but becoming a competitive golfer requires year-round preparation.
Golf is not a sport you can wait to start practicing until tryouts arrive. You may be a good player, but tryouts last only three days. A long layoff can leave you rusty and seriously hurt your chances of making the team.
Improvement requires consistent practice, tournament experience and preparation throughout the year. I know the idea of playing in tournaments can be scary, but so can standing on the first tee at a match while everyone watches you tee off. Even the best players feel those nerves. The goal is to get used to that feeling and learn to play through it. The more often you put yourself in those situations, the more comfortable and confident you can become.
The good news is that you do not have to practice for hours every day—unless your goal is to become an elite player. Focused practice for about an hour, three days a week, along with playing nine holes every few weeks, can help you develop your game and make a big difference down the road. Make sure that practice includes chipping and putting, not just hitting balls on the range.
Golf is a funny game. You have to love it enough to stick with it through the ups and downs, put in the work during the long, hot days of summer, and be willing to practice when everyone else is playing video games.
If you’re willing to do that, consider becoming part of Oviedo Golf. The future of our program is kids just like you.
If you are serious about playing for the Oviedo Boys Golf Team, now is the time to start preparing. We will graduate four of our top six golfers after this season, creating several openings in next year’s lineup. Returning players and newcomers will have an opportunity to compete for those positions, and incoming freshmen will have a legitimate chance to move directly into the varsity lineup.
That type of opportunity has not existed in our program for the past five years. Take advantage of it by starting now.
Continue checking this website for range workouts, practice ideas and team updates.
Workout Links: October
