Golf: Gulf Coast gains 2A states on Cibula par putt

With the final scores coming in, things didn't look good for the Sharks. But when they all were posted, there was Gulf Coast in second place by a shot over Fort Myers for the final spot at the Class 2A Region 5 tournament at Serenoa Golf Course in Sarasota.

"We were losing until the last score came in," Ragusa said.

Junior Taylor Ebert shot a 75 and then won a four-way playoff to finish second behind Lakewood Ranch's Seath Lauer, who had a 74. Fort Myers High's Garrett McCarraher also was in the playoff. Barron Collier's Ballard Talek missed the playoff by a stroke.

Gulf Coast sophomore Chris Cibula sinking a 5-foot par putt on the last hole turned out to be the difference. Cibula's 81 lowered the Sharks' team score by two strokes, enough for second place.

"If Cibula doesn't post an 81, we lose by a stroke," Ragusa said.

Sarasota High won with a 313, followed by Gulf Coast at 316 and Fort Myers at 317. Lakewood Ranch and Charlotte each had 318. Barron Collier struggled mightily in the wind and drizzle, finishing last at 329.

Ebert's score didn't even count at the district tournament last week, but he was the best of the Sharks on Monday. Jaime Zabala and district champ Nick Davis each had 80s, while senior Jeff Glase had an 83.

"That's the thing about this group is that somebody always manages to step up," Ragusa said. "This week, it was Taylor Ebert. There's something cohesive about this group."

Ebert, Zabala, Davis and Glase all played for last year's team, which finished 10th in the state tournament.

When Ebert was getting ready to go out for the playoff, the Sharks still didn't appear to be going. Ragusa had to get Ebert motivated.

"I don't want to go if the team isn't going," Ebert told Ragusa.

"That's the kind of group they are," Ragusa said.

Class A Region 6 Boys Golf tournament, at Sarasota

Team scores

Sarasota 313, Gulf Coast 316, Fort Myers 317, Charlotte 318, Lakewood Ranch 318, Venice 325, Sarasota Riverview 326, Barron Collier 329

Individual results

1. Seath Lauer (LR) 74; *2. Taylor Ebert (GC) 75; 2. Garrett McCarraher (FM) 75; 2. Mike Bezanson (Northeast) 75; 2. Rob Thorngate (Sar) 75

Local team results

Gulf Coast -- Taylor Ebert 75, Jaime Zabala 80, Nick Davis 80, Chris Cibula 81, Jeff Glase 83

Barron Collier -- Ballard Talek 76, Mike York 82, Robby Edwards 84, Ryan Miller 87, Dan Cheek 89

Local individuals

Josh Marzucco, Naples, 84; Ben Hoban, Naples, 85.

* won playoff