Back in action

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Barry McDonnell wanted to find out what makes him tick.

The Lakewood Ranch High senior golfer decided he needed to spend time focusing on himself, so rather than playing for the Mustangs last season, McDonnell opted to spend the fall practicing on his own and playing in various junior golf tournaments and tours.

The experience proved to be beneficial for McDonnell who discovered how he plays golf as an individual, his work ethic and what he needs to do in practice to see results on the course.

“I learned what makes me a better golfer,” McDonnell says. “It gave me a chance to find out who I am, and I’m more mature now because of it.”

The only downside to not playing for Lakewood last season was watching his former teammates capture their third consecutive Class 3A state championship. McDonnell regrets not being a part of Lakewood’s success last season, but having the opportunity to focus solely on himself for a couple of months allowed McDonnell to come back as both a more knowledgeable golfer and a stronger leader his senior season.

McDonnell, who won state championships his freshman and sophomore seasons, always planned to come back this year in hopes of helping lead Lakewood to an unprecedented fourth consecutive state championship.

McDonnell returned to the team at the beginning of the season along with fellow senior Spencer Schultz, who also took last season off to play on the West Florida Golf Tour.

“It’s been really cool leading the team,” McDonnell says. “I like being looked up to, and I try to pump up the other kids. It’s been really fun taking on a leadership role. We all want to get better and have fun, and I just try and help everybody.”

Similar to McDonnell, Schultz used the opportunity to better his game, but at the same time he missed the camaraderie with his teammates.

“I wanted to try to come back and help the team win a fourth title,” Schultz says.

With the departure of Division I golfers Danny Walker and Ramsey Touchberry, now at the University of Virginia and University of Florida, respectively, along with future Division I golfer Luke Miller, who returned to Pennsylvania, Lakewood has had its fair share of ups and downs lately.

But with four of the top junior golfers in Florida, McDonnell and Schultz believe the Mustangs are capable of beating anyone in the state.

McDonnell and Schultz helped Lakewood captured its seventh straight Manatee County Championship Oct. 7 and fifth straight Class 3A-District 14 championship Oct. 13.

Schultz shot a 1-under-par 69 at the Manatee County Championships and a 74 at the district tournament to earn medalist honors for Lakewood.

Most recently, Lakewood finished second at the Class 3A-Region 5 tournament Oct. 20, at the Plantation Golf and Country Club in Fort Myers. McDonnell fired a 3-under par-69 to share the individual regional title. Schultz added a 72, as the Mustangs shot a combined 292 to finish four shots behind regional champion Lithia Newsome.

Lakewood will now advance to the Class 3A state championship Nov. 4 and Nov. 5, at Deer Island Golf and Lake Club in Tavares.

“I think we are underrated,” Schultz says. “At states, I think we can do really well if we play our games.”
McDonnell agrees.

“I feel like we’re the underdogs,” McDonnell says. “It’s cool to see us with a chip on our shoulder.

Everyone counts us out, so it takes the pressure off. We are a different team, no question, but we are all good golfers.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected]