The greens were more crowded all up and down the Keys last fall, with increased team membership being a commonality for Coral Shores, Marathon and Key West High School. As expected, bigger teams led to a higher level of competition. But make no mistake: Keys golfers are anything but cut-throat when it comes to their matches against one another.
Though each and every athlete who took a swing this year worked diligently to hone their skills, the camaraderie amongst Monroe County’s golfers is something to be commended. When athletes weren’t focusing on sinking their own putts, they were helping one another, regardless of which team’s polo was worn, to improve as well. With their friendly, cooperative efforts, the underclassmen of the game should continue to lower their scores for seasons to come.
Photos by Barry Gaukel, Doug Finger and Keys Weekly file photos.
Male Golfer of the Year
Peyton Zubieta
Senior, Key West
Years of hard work and dedication paid off for Conch senior Peyton Zubieta when a remarkable round at districts qualified him for regionals, something no Keys golfer has done in many years. Zubieta served as a team captain and his commitment and consistency was crucial to his personal success while his leadership and encouragement impacted the rest of his team.
Andrew Bassett
Senior, Key West
Senior Andrew Basset led the Conchs as a senior captain, bringing leadership and knowledge to the team. A four-year starter, Bassett’s match play was always good, but his greatest attribute was the guidance he afforded to the less-experienced team members. His patience and willingness to teach others will be missed next season.
Mason Titensor
Freshman, Key West
Just a freshman, Key West’s Mason Titensor constantly improved as the season went on, earning a starting spot on the Conchs’ district team. He plays with consistency and determination, never allowing distractions to pull him off his game.
Preston Carroll
Senior, Coral Shores
Carroll’s low score this year was a 39, capping off his senior season in style with improved play and hard work. A three year captain for the Hurricanes, Carroll is a leader both on and off the course, motivating his team to play their best while still having fun. His dedication to the team will be sorely missed next season.
Derek Ramos
Senior, Coral Shores
Since first joining the Hurricanes’ squad two years ago, senior Derek Ramos has rapidly become an asset to his team. Noted for the enthusiasm he brought to each match, Ramos always strove to be his best, and the improvement from his first season with the
’Canes to his last was dramatic.
Brock Bynum
Junior, Coral Shores
At the end of his second season golfing for the ’Canes, junior Brock Bynum shot an 87, the school’s lowest mark at a district match. Praised for his drive toward constant improvement, Bynum often put in extra hours at the driving range or played bonus rounds to continue honing his skills.
Jacob Bohnstedt
Junior, Coral Shores
In his first year playing for the ’Canes, Jacob Bondstent never missed a single practice, let alone a match this season. He stayed beyond scheduled hours in a relentless drive to improve his game. His discipline and willingness to put in extra work made him a standout for Coral Shores.
Leo Mendez
Senior, Marathon
In just his second season as a Golfin’ Dolphin, senior Leo Mendez took time in the offseason to work on his game and helped to carry the team to several wins. His scoring average in 13 matches was 44.5, a marked improvement for the dedicated senior. Mendez was described as a leader, role model, true teammate and motivator.
Mason Thornton
Senior, Marathon
During his senior campaign, Marathon senior Mason Thornton dropped an average of five strokes from last season. His improvement was due to his hard work in the offseason to improve all aspects of his game. As one of the Fins’ senior leaders, Thornton was described as someone who was always encouraging others and keeping the focus on working hard to achieve success.
Roco Piscetello
Sophomore, Marathon
Marathon sophomore Roco Piscetello just completed his fifth season with the Fins, and he just gets better each year. Known to shine during competition and for keen wedge play and putting, Piscetello works year-round to improve his play, and his excitement for the game is contagious to those around him.
Female Golfer of the Year
Lexi Finigan
Sophomore, Key West
Finigan’s hard work set her apart from the rest of the pack this season. The sophomore demands the best from herself, and it showed in her performance. Finigan broke 100, shooting a 98 at the district tournament, a personal best and something no other female golfer has done at Key West in decades. With two more years to improve, she is well on her way to becoming one of the best in Monroe County history.
Gabby Thomas
Senior, Coral Shores
A four-year captain, Coral Shores’ Gabby Thomas proved to be a leader on the course for both her team and every athlete she encountered. The talented senior has been a constant for the ’Canes the past four seasons, and the highlight to cap off her senior campaign was shooting a birdie at Grenada Golf Course in Miami.
Claudia Steling
Junior, Key West
As the Conchs’ most experienced female golfer, Steling was credited with bringing the requisite knowledge of the sport to her teammates. In addition to her knowledge and experience, Steling’s enthusiasm and positivity set her apart from others. She is known to bring a smile to the face of everyone she plays with, be it a teammate or an opponent.
Charlize Lopez
Sophomore, Key West
Sophomore Charlize Lopez used an inner drive for perfection to master the game enough to shoot a 101 at districts. The score itself is solid, but given her relative inexperience, Lopez’s accomplishments this season are tremendous. The sophomore’s dedication to improvement will serve her will in the coming seasons.
Justice Lee
Junior, Marathon
For a few short weeks last summer, junior Justice Lee was concerned she had finally stumbled upon a sport in which she was not going to excel. Those worries were entirely unfounded. Picking up a club for the first time in August, Lee quickly improved her game, shaving off strokes as the weeks went by to pave the way for a solid senior campaign
Monica Bueno
Senior, Key West
Brand new to the sport of golf, Bueno decided to give it a go her senior year, and she quickly proved to be a natural. But her match play was not what set her apart the most. The team captain was credited for having the absolute best attitude each day on the course and the positivity she exuded affected the entire team.
