ZEPHYRHILLS –

Here’s how Pasco senior Kellianne May spent her summer vacation.

Golf, practice, golf, practice, rinse, repeat.

And it’s easy to find her motivation: last season as a junior, she missed qualifying for states individually by a stroke.

“I was pretty upset after that,” May said, referring to double bogeying the final two holes to miss the cut. “I knew I could play better, so this summer, if I didn’t (play in) a tournament, I was practicing. I probably played in 30 tournaments. And the hard work really paid off.”

That much was evident Tuesday afternoon as May posted an even 36, though the Pirates (3-2) still fell 187-201 to host Zephyrhills (5-0) at Silverado Golf and Country Club.

“We really thought this would be our first real test, and it turned out to be,” Bulldogs coach Ken Burgess said. “We’re satisfied with today because besides Mitchell last year, Pasco was the only other team we lost to in the regular season. They wanted to make up for that, given this friendly rivalry the girls have.”

May started off rough, going plus-2 through four holes, but bounced back with birdies on holes six and nine. On the later, May drove the green, then her eagle putt was inches short.

“I felt like I could’ve played better, and I know that sounds bad after shooting par,” said May, who was averaging 215 yards off the tee, “but I could’ve putted better, and my first bogey, I hit a bad chip shot and two putted. That just … wasn’t pretty.”

The Bulldogs relied on their steady play, including senior Tiffany Bahr’s 44. Karisten Deem and Danielle Bahr both shot 48s, while Sydney Owens posted a 47.

“It’s good that we’re starting to build up, just now (at the halfway point in the season) and leading into districts,” Burgess said. “We know the competition will just get tougher as the season goes on.”

The Pirates rounded out their score with a 49 from Tori Norris, and Kelly Parker and Ashtyn Schlidt had a 57 and 59, respectively.

But May’s round, her best to date this season, stood out in more ways than one. It showed May her robotic routine worked and kept the motivation fresh in her mind.

“You’re going to have bad days,” May said. “You’re not going to play your best all the time. I just thought if I calmed myself down and focused more on my mental game that it would all come together and that I was dedicated enough to make the practice work.

“Because I’m going to states this year.”