By Cole Rosendahl
While the Boys Golf team had lots of momentum going into the post-season, their performance fell just a bit short of their expectations. The boys went into regionals on November 1st with their heads high. Seniors, Cooper Franklin and Easton Oliva were performing out of their minds in the late season play, both shooting consistently around or under par. Unfortunately for themselves and the rest of the team, the weather was extremely rough and made playing conditions unbearable. Winds gusted up to 30 miles an hour, and the rain came in heavy sheets. The Sharks fought their hardest against these ruthless conditions, but in the end, the weather got the best of them. Sophomore, Jude Johnson led the boys in scoring shooting a 75 (+3), with Junior, Jake Mason and Cooper Franklin shooting 76’s (+4). Overall, the boys shot 304 (+16) which earned them an overall second place in regionals. The Beachside Barracudas won with a scoring total of 303 (+15). A gut-wrenching loss but the Sharks moved on to their main course: the 3A FHSAA State Championship.
The boys traveled to the Mission Inn Resort & Club on November 10th to compete in the 3A State Championship. The tournament was played over two days: the 11th and the 12th. Jude Johnson, Jake Mason, Easton Oliva, Cooper Franklin, and Junior, James Nagle were the five Sharks that made the trip. On the first day, Nagle got off to a hot start for the team, securing a solo third place for the team while shooting a 73 (+1). Conditions were harsh on the first day as well, so all the other sharks struggled a bit. Franklin had the next best score of the Sharks’ day with a 78 (+6), then Oliva with an 80 (+8). The boys sat in 6th place after the first day, which brought down hopes for a victory, but they were not close to being done fighting. With conditions improving the next day, the boys managed some better scores on the scorecard. Johnson led the boys with a 72 (E), followed by Mason, Franklin, and Oliva all carding 74’s (+2). Nagle also finished out his strong tournament with a 76 (+4), giving him a T-7 solo performance finish. While the Sharks rallied back, it unfortunately wasn’t enough for them to bring home the trophy. The Sharks ended their season with a 3rd place finish, with only two teams beating them, Fletcher High School and William T. Dwyer High School. While their preseason goals did not come true, the boys played their hearts out and had an overall stupendous season. The underclassmen also showed plenty of spark, leaving the future of PV Boys Golf in great hands.
While the boys season ended, their solo tournaments began immediately. Oliva and Franklin already had their collegiate futures secured, with Oliva committed to UNF, and Franklin committed to Mercer. Others such as Senior, Danny Gimbel were still playing for their future. Gimbel played a wonderful season for the Sharks, and he looked forward to carrying his play way beyond the beautiful bubble of Ponte Vedra Beach. Gimbel traveled to the fantasized city of Las Vegas to play in a two-day AJGA tournament (American Junior Golf Association) on December 7th and 8th. Gimbel carried his great play into this tournament, going 72, 73 (E & +1). While Gimbel did not win, he was able to showcase his talents to Division I and Division II coaches from across the country. Oliva, while already committed, has been recently tearing up solo tournament play as well. Playing in a two-day FSGA tournament (Florida State Golf Association) on December 13th and 14th, Oliva carded a 68 and a 70 (-4 & -2) bringing his total to a -6 (138) for the tournament. His strong play earned him his first solo win of the offseason. The boys continue to put their names on the map, and leave their stamps across the country, solidifying why Ponte Vedra Beach is the best golfer-producing city in the US, and why Ponte Vedra High School is the best high school in the area to do so.
Pictured: PVHS Boys Golf Team
