Miller, 14, wins county high school golf title

As the 2007 individual champion and No. 1 player for Manatee High, Hurricanes senior Joey Newell teed off in the final foursome in Saturday's Manatee County Championship at Imperial Lakewoods Golf Club.

His pairing may have given Newell a glimpse into the future of high school golf in the area.

While he scuffled to a 76, Newell watched Bradenton Christian eighth-grader Jordan Miller blitz the 6,191-yard course to the tune of a 6-under-par 66. Miller, who made birdies on six of the first 10 holes, defeated Manatee junior Sean Jacklin by two strokes.

In the team competition, Lakewood Ranch rallied from a nine-stroke deficit at the turn to edge Bradenton Christian 302-305, the Mustangs' fifth county title in seven years. But the big story was the play of Miller, whose game has made major strides since he began working with instructor Tim Sheredy of the Champions Academy at The Founders Golf Club earlier this year.

"Jordan played absolutely amazing," Newell said. "That was a phenomenal performance. He missed a couple of short putts or he could have shot lower. I give him all his props and look forward to playing with him again."

Miller, who turned 14 earlier this month, bettered the tournament record by three strokes. His round was the first sub-70 score in the championship since current NGA Hooters Tour professional Tyler Leon of Saint Stephen's won in 2000 with a 69.

"I'm very happy," said Miller, whose gallery consisted of his parents, grandparents, younger brother Landry and girlfriend Cheyenne. "I'm really glad I did it with that kind of score. It feels awesome."

As in, over-the-moon awesome?

"Close," he said with a wide grin.

Miller's game was so on, his 15-foot birdie putt on the par-4 first hole was his longest of the round. He almost chipped in for eagle on the par-5 10th from 35 feet, then offset his lone bogey on No. 13 with a birdie-3 on 15.

"It seemed to all be going good," he said.

Jacklin learned of Miller's red-hot play around the turn and staged an impressive finish with birdies on 17 and 18 to claim runner-up honors. Jacklin made six birdies and an eagle-3 on No. 6 but had four bogeys.

"I knew if I didn't play aggressively, I had no chance," he said.

Lakewood Ranch senior Ryan Wilson spearheaded the Mustangs' comeback with a 2-under-par 34 on the back nine. Cole Medvetz chipped in with a 37, and Rocky Khara held steady with a 38.

"That's the biggest comeback I've ever been a part of," Lakewood Ranch coach Dave Frantz said. "Ryan has been the heart and soul of this team for four years."

The top six finishers - Miller, Jacklin, Wilson (71), Jack Lyerly (73) of Bradenton Christian, Khara (74) and Sean Kelly (74) of Saint Stephen's - were named to the All-County Team.

Bradenton Christian coach Joel Van Ryn was pleased to take the runner-up spot, especially in light of Miller's sterling play.

"The great thing about him is he's learned he doesn't have to go full-bore every shot," Van Ryn said.