Ahead of the UIL boys state golf tournament, here’s what to know
The 2022 UIL boys state golf tournament takes place over two rounds Monday and Tuesday at courses around the Austin area. Here are five things to know as the teams and players make off.
1. Westlake remains the standard in Central Texas
Heck, the Chaps are probably now the standard for boys golf in the state, even though Highland Park in Class 5A could be quibble. Westlake has won four consecutive state Championships under head Coach and Eanes Athletic director Callan Nokes, and the Chaps are expected to win a 12th overall title and the eighth under Nokes. All five of Westlake’s players have experience at state: Jacob Sosa, Sean-Karl Dobson and Zach Kingsland were all part of last year’s Championship team while Grant Feldman and Grant Yerger helped Westlake’s “B” team finish fifth a year ago.
2. Vandegrift may just be the Chaps’ top challenger
The Vipers, who won three Class 5A state Championships before moving up to Class 6A in 2017, have supplanted Lake Travis as the Chaps’ top area in Rival. Leat by Texas signee Keaton Vo, Vandegrift finished just eight strokes behind regional-Champion Westlake at the Region IV tournament last month at Champion Lakes Golf Course in McAllen and finished the first round tied for the lead. The Vipers know they’ll have two solid rounds to have hopes of beating Westlake.
More:Faces off the Field: Zach Kingsland, senior golfer, Westlake
3. Local stars with Texas golf ties
Vo isn’t the only local golfer who has signed with Texas. Traditionally, the Powerhouse Longhorns have leaned on homegrown stars to remain a national championship contender. Westlake’s Sosa has also signed a letter of intent to play for the Longhorns and will follow in the footsteps of his dad, John, who played for the Longhorns in the 1990s.
4. Wimberley’s Jaxon Donaldson may be the best bet for individual honors
Donaldson soared to the Class 4A individual title last season as a freshman, firing a 65 and 36 for a 101 total on a rain-shortened 27 holes to become the first Wimberley golfer to win a state title. He certainly looks in form to defend his title after winning a playoff to claim the Class 4A Region IV title last month in Victoria.
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5. Several other individuals also have legitimate hopes for gold
Georgetown’s Sam Stribling won the Class 5A Region IV title with a two-day score of 145 at the Golf Club of Texas in San Antonio and will have a home-course advantage at White Wing Golf Club. Westlake’s loaded roster has several title hopefuls, and Kingsland led the team with a second-place finish at the regionals. Keep an eye on Brian Comegys of Lake Travis, who finished third at the Class 6A Region IV tournament with a 70-76 146.
More:Never a doubt! Westlake boys claim fourth straight state golf championship
Boys golf state Qualifiers
Class 6A: Legacy Hills Golf Club, Georgetown
Teams
Westlake: Grant Feldman, Grant Yerger, Sean-Karl Dobson, Jacob Sosa, Zach Kingsland
Vandegrift: Aiden Grimsley, Jake Mayer, Tyler Blackwell, Jaxon Bandelier, Andrew Tan
Individuals
Brian Comegys, Lake Travis
Class 5A: White Wing Golf Club, Georgetown
Teams
Anderson: Max Weisser, Lucas Chan, Trenton Mierl, Ethan Parker, Keaton Vo
Georgetown: Grant Jansen, Cason Hammack, Mason Askew, Colton O’Dell, Sam Stribling
Individuals
Tanner Wardlaw, Dripping Springs
Class 4A: Legends Golf Course, Kingsland
Individuals
Jaxon Donaldson, Wimberley
Class 3A: Jimmy Clay Golf Course, Austin
Teams
Lago Vista: Gage Shook, Reed Ray, Luke Talley, Braden Smith, Knox Renfro
Individuals
Jacob Gallas, Blanco
Estevan dating in Vargas, Blanco
Class 2A: Lions Golf Course, Austin
Individuals
Jared White, Buda Live Oak