RIVERVIEW -- The Newsome Wolves arrived at Summerfield Crossings Golf Club bedecked in pink gloves and perspective.
The accessories were in honor of sophomore Tyler Bakich's mom, nine-time LPGA Tour winner Colleen Walker. Too weakened by radiation treatments to attend Tuesday's Class 2A, District 10 tournament, Walker instead had the Wolves over at her Valrico home Monday night.
They came away more aware than ever of how a slice or sand trap isn't the end of the round -- or world.
"I think it just pepped up the morale for the team," said junior John Michael Coultas, whose 1-under-par 70 propelled Newsome (289) to its second consecutive team title.
"It's like, even though we're having a bad day out on the golf course, we can just think about what it's like to be sick and go through her point of view or our point of view."
On a bright day when the wind never showed up, each Newsome player did. All five eclipsed 80, with Bakich (pictured) rallying from a spotty start with a blistering back nine to finish at 71. His 1-under score on the back included birdies on Nos. 11, 13, 16 and 18.
"She was always a fighter and still is and I think that's kind of how I was brought up," said Bakich, whose mom was diagnosed with bone cancer more than a year ago.
"I've always been a fighter and will always kind of somehow find a way to get stuff done. But on the course sometimes, like today, I honestly...couldn't stop thinking about her the whole day."
Coultas, buoyed by a consistent putter, hit 35 on both nines. Teammates Colin Julian and Brian Allen added a 73 and 75, respectively.
Freedom, behind 2011 district champ Jimmy Jones' 75 and senior Trevor Moore's 76, finished second (312). Wharton (321) edged Steinbrenner (323) for the third and final team spot in Monday's Region 4 tournament in Tarpon Springs.
The top three teams, and top three individuals not on those teams, earned region berths. Plant City's William George (73), Durant's Chase Levesque (75) and Riverview's Donte Davis (75) earned individual spots.
Class 2A, District 11
(at Riverview)
Newsome (289) John Michael Coultas 35-35 70, Tyler Bakich 37-34 71, Colin Julian 34-39 73, Brian Allen 38-37 75
Freedom (312) Jimmy Jones 37-38 75, Trevor Moore 36-40 76, Charles Seward 37-41 78, Liam Doherty 43-40 83
Wharton (321) Jorge Junquera 38-37 75, Ricky Condon 39-39 78, Sung Kim 44-38 82, Alex Montgomery 44-42 86
Individuals: William George, Plant City 39-34 73; Donte Davis, Riverview 37-38 75; Chase Levesque, Durant 39-36 75
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Buoyed by team mom, Wolves win 2A-10 golf tournament
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