Jan. 9, 2008

PENSACOLA, Fla. - West Florida Head Coach Robin Dezarn signed local standout Amanda de la Cruz, during the early signing period. Following an outstanding season at Catholic High School, de la Cruz will join the UWF squad for the 2008-09 school year. After finishing in the top 25 in the 2007 state tournament, de la Cruz is prepared for the next step.

Dezarn was very pleased with the signing, "I am thrilled that Amanda will be joining the Lady Argos Golf team. I have watched her over the past several years' grow into a wonderful young lady. Amanda has worked hard on her game and she has proven herself to be a fierce competitor. She will be a great addition to the squad."

"It got to me as I signed the scholarship," said an emotional de la Cruz, "that I had accomplished my goal." de la Cruz was encouraged by friend and fellow golfer Haley Millsap (Senior standout at Pace) to pursue UWF and coach Dezarn, who is a former Pace standout. "I am kinda sad that I'm going off to college, I don't feel like I'm 17 years old yet," stated de la Cruz. However, don't let the quotes fool you, because the golf skills are definitely college ready, and the Argonauts future is in great shape.

During the 2007 high school season, de la Cruz had a stroke average of 79.3, and she finished tied for 25th at the state tournament for the FHSAA Girls 1A High School Finals. She was the highest finisher from the two area schools that qualified for state finals. She is also a member of the Greater Pensacola Junior Golf Association, the Southeastern Junior Golf Tour, the Arrowhead Junior Golf Tour, and participated in qualifiers for the American Junior Golf Association.