BRADENTON

Destiny just wanted to finish what she started.

And finishing was her destiny. But it took awhile.

North Port High senior Destiny Marino had never picked up a club before joining the Bobcats’ varsity team this fall, but she got plenty of practice and a few blisters Monday at the Class 2A-District 13 girls’ golf tournament.

Determined to hole out on all 18 holes at the par-71 Bradenton Country Club, regardless of how long it took, Marino shot a 229.

Let’s repeat that – 229.

South African golfer Charl Schwartzel won this year’s Masters with a 274 total. In four rounds.

“I just started golfing a month or so ago,” Marino said. “It seemed pretty interesting, and I play putt-putt.”

Believe it or not, such a number is not unprecedented. Last year, 10 girls in the state’s 48 district tournaments reported scores of 200 or higher, with Miami Coral Park’s Thania Vargas carding a 258. The highest score in last year’s 2A-14 tournament was 185; the next-highest on Monday was 155.

“We asked (Marino) if she played any other sports in the fall, because she gave us a full team (four players),” said North Port coach Robert Davidson, in his second season. “She decided to give it a try and she’s stuck with it. She even re-arranged her work schedule.”

Marino, 17, is the student body vice president at North Port and is an assistant manager at a local Hungry Howie’s. She is on the Bobcats’ weightlifting team and briefly ran track.

“She’s improved from day to day,” Davidson said. “At first, she only hit it about 10 yards. Now she hits it 40, but every shot is straight. I had to convince her that if you swing harder, you’ll hit it farther.”

Marino’s card included a 6 on a par-3 – and a 23 on another hole. She signed her scorecard just before sunset.

During the regular season, less skilled golfers often pick up their balls after eight strokes to speed up play, a practice known as a “circle eight.” Six golfers did that Monday and, thus, were basically disqualified. But the 5-foot-1 Marino wanted no part of that. She wanted to post a score.

Even if it was 158 over par.

“I didn’t want to do any circle-eights, it’s like you’re giving up,” she said. “This was my first district tournament. I wanted to finish it.”