Over the past few weeks, Gulf Breeze has teed it up at tournaments including the Byron Nathan Classic, the Crusader Classic, and many more. Each event has tested the team in different ways, but the Dolphins have managed to stay near the middle of the pack and occasionally push toward the top of the leaderboard.
At the Byron Nathan Classic, Gulf Breeze played a full 18 holes and finished with a team score of 304, placing them 4th overall, tied with Niceville, and Pace high school. Tate captured first place with a score of 291, while South Walton and Pensacola Catholic rounded out the top three with scores of 293 and 291. Later in the season at the Crusader Classic, Gulf Breeze posted 307 over 18 holes and came away with 3rd place, continuing to show steady progress across tournaments.
On September 2nd, up against 3 other teams, the Dolphins managed to come out on top, finishing with a total score of 159 over 9 holes. 3 of the 5 GBHS golfers finished with sub-40 scores. Blake Norris and Grant Corbin with 39, and Lucas Davenport finishing with 38.
Head Coach Griff said the team’s mindset has shifted in a positive direction as they look to close out the season. “Last week we didn’t play very well, so we’re just trying to get on the positive side of things,” Coach Griff said. “Start playing good this week and carry that into districts.”
That outlook has shaped the way Gulf Breeze approaches competition. Instead of focusing on one result, the team has emphasized overall improvement and consistency from week to week. While scores have varied across tournaments, the Dolphins have continued to tighten up their play and gain confidence heading into the postseason.
With districts right around the corner, Gulf Breeze is hoping that the experience from tournaments like the Crusader Classic and the Byron Nathan Classic will pay off. Each round has given the players a better understanding of how to handle pressure and finish strong as a group.
The Dolphins are set to compete next at Stonebrook Golf Club in Pace on October 21st. With this being their last event of the regular season, their focus on steady improvement and a renewed sense of confidence will have them looking to finish their regular season on a high note and carry that momentum into the district championship.