By BART O’CONNELL
Tribune correspondent

TARPON SPRINGS – This has been the week Matthew Ross has been waiting for – a final chance to make history and his longtime dream come true.

Ross, a 16-year old senior at Mitchell High whose love of golf and struggles with autism have paved the way towards giving rights to disabled junior golfers, will try to qualify for the Mustangs’ golf team starting today at 3:30 p.m. at Crescent Oaks Country Club.

His form of autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, affects his attention span and ability to keep score, two key elements to playing golf. Yet Ross has found a way to overcome those things over the years.

After initially being declared ineligible to play junior golf because he couldn’t keep score, he won a legal battle to have a designated scorekeeper during junior tournaments. And despite his great success in Special Olympics play, he has always wanted to qualify for his high school team in an open competition.

He will play with reigning Pasco County Boys Golfer of the Year Kenny Cavender and Dan Fleisher, the top two players from last year’s team, in the opening rounds.

Approximately 25 team hopefuls, including six seniors who made last year’s 11-man squad, will play nine holes today and Wednesday, establishing a cut line that likely will include around 15 players. Those that survive the first two days will continue qualifying through Friday, at Crescent Oaks and nearby Fox Hollow Golf Club, until Coach Rick Hyatt selects the top 10 who will join the team.

Ross, who stands 6-foot-4 and has steadily improved his strength and coordination, has considered himself a long shot to make the extremely talented Mustangs’ squad in the past. But recently he has posted some excellent scores, including an 18-hole total of 82 (40-42) at Crescent Oaks in a practice round. That’s the kind of number that could get him on the team.

“He’s been in a groove,” said Ross’s mother, Sue. “He’s been working with a pro and he’s put on some muscle and he’s got a lot more power. His drives have been in the 250s, 270s [yards]. He’s got his mind set on it this year.”

Even if Ross doesn’t make the team, he will be allowed to come to practices during the season as a non-competing member, which he has done the last three years.

“I feel calm about it,” he said. “I’m more confident and this is my senior year. … I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself.”

UPDATING: Ross shot 59-56=115 in the first two days of qualifying to make the 16-player first cut and earn the right to play the final two days of qualifying for the first time in four years. After Thursday’s round was rained out, he will tee off Friday at 3:54 p.m. at Fox Hollow, weather permitting. Scores from the first two days do not carry over.

The scores Wednesday were posted in unpredictable, windy and wet conditions. Playing with Ross, Cavender shot 39 both days, and Fleisher had an impressive 38 on Wednesday. They will tee off at 3:30 on Friday. Saturday’s round also will be played at Fox Hollow.