2020-21 SEASON REVIEW

LADY BEARS RECOGNIZED AT ZAHARIAS AWARDS

Neely Wozniak, Coach Johnnie Harrell, and Montana DiLeo

May 24 (Beaumont) – The 2022 Babe Didrikson Zaharias Junior Golf Awards banquet was held Tuesday night at 5Under Golf Center.  Senior Montana Dileo was named the Girls Player of the Year, Neely Wozniak was named the Girls Character and Leadership Award winner, and Coach Johnnie Harrell was named the Girls Coach of the Year.  The annual banquet and awards ceremony is hosted by the Babe Didrikson Zaharias Foundation.  PGA Professional and Lamar University graduate Chris Stroud was the keynote speaker at this year’s ceremony.

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DILEO & WOZNIAK TEE IT UP IN STATE TOURNAMENT

Montana DiLeo, Coach Johnnie Harrell, and Neely Wozniak

May 16-17 (Kingsland) – Senior Lady Bear golfers Montana DiLeo (above right) and Neely Wozniak (above left) teed it up in the 4A Girls State Golf Tournament.  After shooting a 76 in round one on Monday, DiLeo followed it up with an 81 in round two Tuesday to finish with a 157 and placed 10th overall.  Wozniak posted an 87 Monday and shot a 94 Tuesday to finish with a total of 181 to place 42nd.  This years tournament was held at Legends Golf Course in Kingsland.

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DILEO SINKS FIRST HOLE-IN-ONE

April 25 (Orange) – It’s been a great senior season for Lady Bear golfer Montana DiLeo (above).  DiLeo dominated as she won all the area tournaments this season, won the District title, won the Regional title, and is headed to her third State tournament.   Along the way DiLeo announced she will be continuing her golfing career with the Lamar Cardinals next fall.  And then there was April 25.  Playing in the CASA Tournament at Sunset Grove Country Club, DiLeo recorded her first ever hole-in-one when she aced the 6th hole.

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DILEO & WOZNIAK HEADED TO STATE

April 19 (Huntsville) – Senior Lady Bear golfers Montana DiLeo (above right) and Neely Wozniak (above left) are headed to the 4A Girls State Golf Tournament.  Both girls qualified at the two-day 4A Region III Tournament held at Raven Nest Golf Course in Huntsville.  DiLeo dominated the tournament with a two-round total 157 (79-78), winning the Regional individual title by 16-strokes and qualifying for her third State tournament.  Wozniak finished with a total of 185 (90-95) to finish sixth overall and punch her ticket to State as an individual medalist.  The Lady Bears as a team finished fifth, just missing a chance to go to State as a team (top 3 advance).  Following Dileo and Wozniak for the Lady Bears were Trinity Williams (53rd, 120-122/242), Jaycie Benton (T-58th, 129-120/249), and Cassie Grizzaffi (T-58th, 122-127/249).  Dileo and Wozniak will play in the State tournament on May 16-17 at the Legends Golf Course in Kingsland.

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LADY BEARS CRUISE TO DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP – DILEO CHAMP AGAIN

Benton, Williams, Ihle, Coach Harrell, DiLeo, Wozniak, and Grizzaffi

March 29 (Beaumont) – The Lady Bear Golf team cruised to their second straight 22-4A District Championship Tuesday afternoon at Henry Homberg Golf Course.  Senior and Lamar commit Montana DiLeo also claimed the individual title, her second straight.  Senior Neely Wozniak placed second overall behind Dileo.  The Lady Bears fired a team score of 804, winning by 173-strokes over second place Bridge City who finished with a team score of 977.  DiLeo fired rounds of 74-74/148, Wozniak shot 85-89/174, Jaycie Benton carded a 116-114/230, Trinity Williams posted a 124-123/252, and Cassie Grizzaffi shot a 134-130/264.  Freshman Isabella Ihle played as a medalist and finished with a 148-140/288.  The Lady Bears will now get ready for the 4A Region III Regional Tournament in Huntsville 

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DILEO FINISHES FOURTH AT STATE PREVIEW

March 10-12 (Kingsland) – Senior Montana DiLeo (above) finished fourth at the 4A State Preview held at Legends Golf Course in Kingsland.  The tournament was cut to one round because of poor weather conditions on day one.  Windchills were in the upper 20’s and sleet fell throughout the day.  The girls managed to get a round in on Saturday and Dileo finished with a round of 79.  Madison Wert (Argyle) took 1st with a 71, Kodi Nolan (Midlothian Heritage) was 2nd with a 75, and Mallory Matthews (Hondo) finished 3rd with a 77.

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SENIOR GOLFER LEADS TEAM

March 8 (LCM) (article by Savannah Crabtree/Bear Facts) – Senior Montana DiLeo (above) is one of LCM’s lead golfers, with low scores all around.  Last April, she won the Region III Title by five strokes and has placed first in multiple tournaments throughout her golfing career in high school.  Her goals for this season include winning district as a team and qualifying for regionals and state. DiLeo started playing golf in fifth grade.  She originally played softball, but did not like the sport.   “My dad told me I needed to choose another sport if I wanted to quit,” Dileo said.  “One day, we were watching the Masters and I decided I wanted to try golf. My dad got me a lesson the next day.”  According to DiLeo, she was not naturally talented at golf at first. At her first tournament, she shot a 66 for 9 holes, while placing 4th out of four people.  Her current best is 67 for 18 holes.  “It took a lot of practice, patience, and determination to get to where I am now,” DiLeo said.   According to DiLeo, her parents and coaches are what motivate her the most. She is constantly trying to beat her best scores and after rounds, will go back and see what can be improved.  DiLeo loves how every course is different and brings on new challenges.  She also enjoys the people she meets in pairings.  To her, the most challenging part of golf is staying focused and present.  “I get really anxious before tournaments but Coach Harrell is always there to keep me calm, relaxed, and focused,” DiLeo said. “She is my personal hype-man.”  After graduating from high school, DiLeo will continue playing golf at Lamar University.  “I love my team and our coaches,” DiLeo said. “Go Bears!” 

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WOZNIAK TAKES FIRST AT SILSBEE

March 7 (Silsbee) – Senior Lady Bear golfer Neely Wozniak took 1st place in the Silsbee Lady Tiger Varsity Girls Golf Invitational at Silsbee Country Club Monday morning.  Wozniak shot an 86 to win the tournament while freshman Isabella Ihle finished with a 123.

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LADY BEARS WIN BY 21 STROKES – DILEO CLAIMS 5TH STRAIGHT

Benton, DiLeo, Wozniak, Ihle, and Grizzaffi

March 3 (Port Arthur/Babe Zaharias GC) – The Lady Bear golf team not only won the Nederland Lady Bulldog Invitational but won by a dominating 21-strokes.  LCM shot a team score of 361 to take 1st place .  Port Neches-Groves took 2nd with a 382 while Hamshire-Fannett was 3rd with a 440.  Lamar commit Montana DiLeo won her 5th straight tourney of the season with a round of 74 while Neely Wozniak took 2nd with an 83.  Jaycie Benton finished 5 overall with a 94, Cassie Grizzaffi carded a 110, and Isabella Ihle finished with a 124.  The Lady Bears will tee it up again Monday (3/7) at the Silsbee Lady Tiger Invitational at Silsbee Country Club.

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DILEO SIGNS WITH LAMAR

February 23 (LCM) – Senior Montana DiLeo signed her letter of intent Wednesday afternoon in front of her coaches, family, teammates, and friends.  DiLeo will continue her golf career at Lamar University in Beaumont.  She will join the Lady Cardinal Golf Team following her graduation from LCM in May.

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DILEO TAKES 1ST – LADY BEARS 2ND

Ihle, DiLeo, Wozniak, and Grizzaffi

February 21 (Village Mills) – The Lady Bear Golf team travelled to Village Mills Monday morning to take part in the Warren Varsity Girls Invitational Golf Tournament.  LCM fired a team score of 415 to take 2nd place.  Port Neches-Groves won the tournament with a 410 and Hardin-Jefferson took 3rd with a 434.  Senior Montana DiLeo won 1st place overall with a round of 79, her fourth straight individual win of the season.  Neely Wozniak carded a 94, Jaycie Benton posted a 118, Cassie Grizzaffi shot a 122, and Isabella Ihle finished with a 128.  The Lady Bears will be back on the course next Tuesday (3/1) when they travel to Huffman to play in the Lady Falcon Invitational at Red Wolf Golf course.

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DILEO WINS – LADY BEARS 3RD AT VIDOR INVITATIONAL

Grizzaffi, Ihle, Williams, DiLeo, Benton, and Wozniak

February 10 (Beaumont) – The Lady Bears Golf team took 3rd place at the Vidor Lady Pirates Invitational Thursday morning at Brentwood.  Montana DiLeo took 1st individually with a round of 76.  Neely Wozniak fired an 89, Jaycie Benton carded a 105, Trinity Williams shot a 120, Cassie Grizzaffi had a 127, and Isabella Ihle finished with a 130.

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LADY BEAR GOLFERS TAKE ON IDYLWILD

January 27 (Sour Lake) – The Lady Bear Golf team played in the Hardin-Jefferson Lady Hawk Invitational Monday morning at Idylwild Golf Club.  Montana DiLeo (above center) took 1st for the second straight tournament and girls finished third as a team.  DiLeo shot a solid round of 77 while the team finished with a 468.  Jaycie Benton fired a 107, Isabella Ihle (above right) shot a 140, and Cassie Grizzaffi (above left) finished with a 144.  The Lady Bears will tee it up again next Thursday (2/10) in the Vidor Lady Pirate Invitational at Brentwood  in Beaumont.

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DILEO AND LADY BEARS TAKE FIRST AT ANAHUAC

January 26 (Anahuac) – The Lady Bear golf team travelled to Anahuac Wednesday morning to take part in the Anahuac Lady Panther Invitational at Chambers County Golf Course.  It was the first tournament of the year for the Lady Bears and they wasted little time showing why they are the favorite to repeat as district champions.  The girls took first place with a team score of 391 while PNG and Hardin-Jefferson finished in a tie for second with a 397.  Senior standout Montana Dileo (above) took first individually with a round of 79 while teammate Neely Wozniak finished second with an 84.  Jaycie Benton fired a 98, Trinity Williams shot 130, Cassie Grizzaffi posted a 134, and Isabella Ihle finished with a 144.  The Lady Bears will hit the links again Monday (1/31) as they head to Sour Lake to play in the Hardin-Jefferson Invitational at Idylwild Golf Course.

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COACH HARRELL RECOGNIZED BY SETCA

For the past few years Coach Johnnie Kay Harrell (above center) has been the head coach for both the girls and boys golf teams.  Last year Harrell’s girls team won District, qualified for Regionals, and Montana Dileo qualified for the Girl’s 4A State Tournament.  Harrell’s boys team won District, won Regionals, and made it to State for the second time in three years – the 2020 tournament was cancelled due to COVID.  Jack Burke won his third District title, second Regional title, and finished 4th at State after winning the State Championship in 2019.  With the tremendous success of the boys program, Coach Harrell was name “Boys Golf – Coach of the Year” by the South East Texas Coaches Association.

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Head Coach

Johnnie Kay Harrell