Luo, LWR girls win Donald Ross Invitational

SARASOTA — Linda Luo didn’t grab a golf club until she was 12.

That may come as news to anyone who watched her Monday at Sara Bay Country Club, where she fired a 73 to win the girls portion of the 16th Annual Donald Ross Memorial Invitational.

Luo’s low round also helped Lakewood Ranch finish with a 275, giving the Mustangs the team title over second-place Riverview (283).

A 16-year-old native of China, Luo began playing golf while living in Canada. Her parents are golfers, and suggested she pick up the sport, as well.

Good move.

She practices three hours a day at the Missing Link Golf Academy and is in her first year competing at Lakewood Ranch after moving to the United States last winter.

“I came to the States because they have very good competition,” Luo, a junior, said. “I thought if I came here instead of staying (in Canada), I would get more opportunities to play better.”

She’s enjoying her first taste of high-school golf — the Mustangs took a 9-0 record into Monday’s invite.

“It’s fun,” Luo said of team play. “You gather around the scores and you chat. Usually, in golf, it’s individual.”

On Monday, Luo assuaged a bit of nervousness by scoring birdies on the first two holes. She finished four strokes ahead of Riverview’s Stefanie Mitchell, second with a 77.

Courtney Castner shot a 95 and Allison Lindmann added a 108 for the Mustangs.

“It’s an awesome day,” said Greg McGrew, Lakewood Ranch’s former head coach who was sitting in for Wendi Golden on Monday. “They’ve been playing very well.”

One of the benefits of the Donald Ross Invitational is the 18-hole format, similar to what players will encounter in district, regional and state play. Regular-season matches are nine holes.

“It also gives us an idea of what the other teams are like,” McGrew said. “But then again, just walking 18 is a big difference than walking nine.”

On the boys side, Bradenton Christian defeated Venice in a one-hole playoff to finish second out of 16 teams. The Panthers carded a 302, two strokes back of Riverview (300).

“I think that all their practice and their studious play has helped them out,” said BCS coach Steve Lyerly, who was subbing for coach Joel Van Ryn, “and they came through (Monday).”

Jordan Miller paced the Panthers with a 72, while Jack Lyerly (74), Jonathan Braam (76) and Casey Najjar (80) helped arm BCS with plenty of balance.

“Great four scores for Bradenton Christian,” Steve Lyerly said. “One of our lowest.”

Saint Stephen’s was second among area teams and fifth overall with a 310. Sean Kelly, Connor Lynch and Osama Kahn each carded a 77 for the Falcons. Cardinal Mooney was sixth (312) and was led by Hunter Sagar (76).

Rocky Khara’s 73 helped Lakewood Ranch place seventh (318), and Kirk Ritchey (76) and Sean Jacklin (77) led Manatee, which was eighth with a 319.

Out-of-Door Academy was 13th with a 347. Zach Balit fired a 72 for the Thunder.

At Sara Bay Country Club

16th Annual Donald Ross Memorial Invitational

BOYS

Team scores

1. Riverview 300, 2. Bradenton Christian 302*, 3. Venice 302, 4. Englewood Lemon Bay 308, 5. Saint Stephen’s 310, 6. Cardinal Mooney 312, 7. Lakewood Ranch 318, 8. Manatee 319, 9. Sarasota 320, 10. North Port 321, 11. Punta Gorda Charlotte 331, 12. Port Charlotte 338, 13. Out-of-Door Academy 347, 14. Sarasota Christian 382, 15. Booker 461.

*-beat Venice in one-hole playoff.

LOCAL INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

Bradenton Christian (302) — Jordan Miller 72, Jack Lyerly 74, Jonathan Braam 76, Casey Najjar 80, Johnny Weichel 91.

Cardinal Mooney (312) — Hunter Sagar 76, Pat Slattery 77, Alejandro Romero 78, Pat Grabowski 81, Ray Cowart 83.

Lakewood Ranch (318) — Rocky Khara 73, Connor Baldwin 79, Cole Medvetz 85, Mitch Blanco 86, Kyle Benson 90.

Manatee (319) — Kirk Ritchey 76, Sean Jacklin 77, Jordan Rothfield 84, Jerry West 84, Andrew Morrish 86.

Out-of-Door Academy (347) — Zach Balit 72, Blake Soni 76, Brian Coffey 96, Ty Johnson 104, Dan Pivonka 104.

Saint Stephen’s (310) — Sean Kelly 77, Connor Lynch 77, Osama Kahn 77, Eric Muslawski 79.

GIRLS

Team scores

1. Lakewood Ranch 275, 2. Riverview 283, 3. Englewood Lemon Bay 288, 4. Punta Gorda Charlotte 289, 5. Sarasota 303, 6. Port Charlotte 364.

LOCAL INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

Lakewood Ranch (275) — Linda Luo 73, Courtney Castner 95, Allison Lindmann 108.