American Heritage junior Sohan Patel and Dwyer senior Hampton Beebe both captured boys individual titles while the Dwyer and Benjamin boys and American Heritage girls each won team titles at the FHSAA golf state championship at Mission Inn Resort and Club in Howey-in-the-Hills.
The state championship featured a two-day, 36-hole format. The Class 3A championship was held Nov. 11-12, the Class 1A championship from Nov. 14-15 and the Class 2A competition from Nov 18-19.
Patel (70-69) captured his second consecutive Class 2A individual state title. He recorded a 139 total and won by one stroke.
“I have been really working hard on my game, which has led to a lot of good results this season,” Patel said. “It is always an honor to compete for a state title and I am proud to have gotten it done again.”
Beebe (72-68) earned the Class 3A individual state title. He shot 4-under for a two-day total of 140. He trailed by one stroke after the first round and won the state title by two.
“Winning a state title has been on my list of things I wanted to accomplish before finishing high school,” Beebe said. “I finished fifth as an individual the last two years. Winning the individual and team title is something I will always have, and I am excited to also have pulled it off on the day I signed my commitment letter to play golf at Auburn University.”
Tsar, Woods Lift Benjamin to 1A Title
The Benjamin boys won the Class 1A state title with a 572 total (288-284). The Bucs won their fifth boys golf state championship and earned their second state title in the last three seasons.
Benjamin junior Andrew Tsar (68-71) finished as the Class 1A individual state runner-up as he stepped up with a 139 total.
“I am very proud of the way that I played to help the team win another state championship,” Tsar said. “We wanted to win the state championship very badly for us and our coaches. It was very rewarding to finish second to another great player. I am proud of my teammates and the season ending with this great win.”
Benjamin junior Charlie Woods (74-68) finished tied for fourth. He also finished tied for the lowest individual round on the final day. The Bucs were also led by junior Brooks Colton (72-72), who finished tied for ninth. Freshman Clint Lewis (74-73) stepped up and finished tied for 17th. T
The Bucs finished with a 12-under rally on the back nine during the first day of competition to trail by just one stroke. They were able to set a record with a 4-under final round total of 284. The Bucs also previously won the district and regional title.
“I’m very proud of the season,” Benjamin coach Toby Harbeck said. “This team played with amazing confidence, poise and desire. They showed their true character on the last day at the state championship. Everyone was a star at some point during this season, but they always played as a team.”
Oxbridge Academy junior Joey Iaciofano (71-71) tied for fourth, senior AJ Colonna (74-72) tied for 14th and junior Ajax Lanasa (77-73) tied for 27th.
Dwyer Boys Capture 3A Title
The Dwyer boys finished with a 587 total (299-288) to earn the Class 3A state title for the first time in school history behind an impressive performance from Beebe. Dwyer senior Wylie Inman (75-72) tied for fourth, junior Tankhun Ritthisorn (76-73) tied for seventh) and sophomore William Cui (76-75) tied for 14th.
“Winning the state championship this year was a milestone,” Dwyer coach Eric Fasone said. “Not just for this team, but for the entire Dwyer golf program. We’re building something special here, a culture of excellence, and long-term success that will carry on beyond just this season.”
Boca Raton senior Henry Crowe (74-75) tied for seventh at the Class 3A state championship.
American Heritage Girls Earn 2A Title
The American Heritage girls won by 19 strokes at the Class 2A state championship. They led by one stroke after the first round and delivered an impressive second round for a 601 total (304-297). Sophomore Nicole Wu (73-74) placed eighth, senior Lilly Riegger (77-72) tied for ninth, junior Aryanah Ahmad (75-75) tied for 13th and sophomore Laura Monsalve (79-76) placed 21st.
“We overcame a lot of adversity this season with our kids injured and being sick,” American Heritage coach Mike Carlin said. “We needed to get our team back at full strength. We were building all season and learning from each tournament We put it together at the right time and everyone contributed.”
FAU High’s Guertin Reaches Sudden Playoff
FAU High senior Valentina Guertin (69-68) finished tied for second with a 137 total at the Class 1A girls state championship. Guertin was among five players who reached the sudden playoff.
FAU High placed second at the state championship. Senior Kayla Bryant (70-69) placed seventh and sophomore Alexandra Phung (76-65) tied for ninth. Phung registered the lowest score during the final round of the tournament.
Benjamin freshman Reese McMillan (69-74) finished tied for 12th at the state tournament.
Dwyer’s Gram, West Boca’s Andino Lead 3A Girls
Dwyer sophomore Leah Gram and West Boca junior Catherine Andino both tied for fourth at the Class 3A girls state championship. Gram (75-70) and Andino (74-71) both finished with a 145 total.
The other top performers included Coral Glades senior Bianca Gibbs (74-73), who finished tied for eighth. Spanish River senior Gaelle Summers (75-75) and senior Jayden Loyacona (77-73) both tied for 16th.
Dr. Joaquin Garcia’s Baker and Mena Shine in 2A
Dr. Joaquin Garcia sophomore Jaime Baker (72-69) finished as the state runner-up with a 141 total at the Class 2A girls championship. Dr. Joaquin Garcia senior Daniel Mena (71-74) tied for fourth at the Class 2A boys championship.
Pompano Beach junior Liam Johnston (78-72) tied for 10th while Coral Springs Charter teammates Hudson Fee (76-77) and Bento Assis (72-81) both tied for 12th for the boys. Archbishop McCarthy’s Abigail Lee (79-73) tied for 17th for the girls.
