American Heritage senior Katherine Schaefer and Pine Crest junior Alexander Weinberg both
won individual titles while the Benjamin boys and FAU High girls captured team titles during
the FHSAA golf state championship at Mission Inn Resort and Club in Howey-in-the-Hills from
Nov. 6-15.
The state championship had qualifiers in each classification compete in a two-day, 36-
hole format.
Schaefer won the Class 2A girls individual title and finished with a total of 140 (71-69). She
trailed by three after the first round and rallied to win the title by one stroke. She previously
finished as the state-runner up last season.
“I played the best I could on the course with a positive mindset,” she said. “I have always wanted
to win an individual state championship in my high school career. It meant the most to do it with
my teammates, coaches and family watching. It’s really exciting.”
Weinberg captured the Class 1A boys individual championship and registered a total of 143 (67-
76). He recorded six birdies and an eagle during the opening round. He had a birdie on the 18th
hole in the final round to help secure the title.
“It was really incredible and I was in the zone the first day,” he said. “I was hitting my iron shots
close to the pin and I was really dialed up. I kind of got off to a rough start the final day and it
was a bit tricky with the wind swirling. The course was really challenging and the conditions
tough. I really hung in there in the back nine just to stay in contention. I knew it was a big putt on
the 18th and the birdie really helped me secure the lead. It was a really cool atmosphere.”
Weinberg had tied for 25th at the state championship last season.
“At the beginning of the season, I marked this event on my calendar,” he said. “I am proud of all
my hard work throughout the season. I am really thankful for the support from my teammates
and coaches. It’s such a great feeling.”
Benjamin won the Class 1A boys state title and their fourth boys team golf championship in
school history. Sophomore Jake Valentine (72-76) tied for eighth, freshman Brooks Colton (74-
75) tied for 12th, junior Pavel Tsar (74-78) tied for 19th, freshman Charlie Woods (78-76) tied
for 26th and senior Tyler Bruneau (79-77) tied for 34th.
Benjamin also won a district and regional title earlier in the season. They led by three strokes
after the first round in the state final. They fell behind by several strokes in the final round and
needed a late comeback, which included a go-ahead birdie on the 17 th hole. They finished with a
total of 602 and held off First Academy by one stroke.
“We did not get off to a great start on the final day and had to battle,” Benjamin coach Toby
Harbeck said. “I have been here so many times and have never seen a finish like that. The
atmosphere was electric and an absolutely fun way to end the season. It’s the biggest example of
a group who will not quit. It’s just the way they have been and the kids worked really hard. It’s a
total team effort and I couldn’t be more proud of our team.”
The FAU High girls team won its first team state title as they captured the Class 1A
championship with a total of 578. They also won a district and regional title during the season.
Sophomore Kayla Bryant (68-69) placed second and fell short by one stroke in the state final.
Sophomore Valentina Guertin (71-72) tied for eighth, eighth-grader Alexandra Phung (73-75)
tied for 20th, junior Morgan Rodriguez (70-81) placed 30th and junior Amelie Phung (73-80)
tied for 34th.
“We are in a tough region and it was great competition to win all three,” FAU High coach
Cherene Castillo said. “The girls were very excited to hold on. The kids are phenomenal. Kayla
has continued to mature with her game. She battled an injury and did not quit. She made some
big birdies in the back nine.”
Class 3A
Somerset Academy sophomore Gabriel Holtz (73-73) finished tied for sixth in the boys state
final. Palm Beach Gardens senior Jacob Kutner (76-72) tied for 12th, Jupiter junior Tristan
Wieland (76-73) placed 15th and Somerset Academy senior Elijah Zamarron (71-79) finished
tied for 16th.
Boca Raton senior Summer Pilot (75-72) placed ninth in the girls state championship. West Boca
freshman Catherine Andino (74-74) placed 10th, Western senior Kierra Williams (77-75)
finished tied for 16th and Jupiter junior Zoe Shamy (81-73) tied for 22nd.
Class 2A
Archbishop McCarthy senior Brett Moore (75-74) placed fifth in the boys state final. American
Heritage senior Aiden Arce (73-77), Archbishop McCarthy senior Ryan Lopez (74-76) and
American Heritage freshman Sohan Patel (74-76) all finished tied for sixth.
American Heritage placed second overall in the girls state championship. Senior Alessandra
Tabora (77-74) placed 12th and eighth-grader Nicole Wu (77-77) finished tied for 19th.
Class 1A
Oxbridge Academy freshman Hampton Beebe (74-73) tied for fifth and FAU High junior Mateo
Desmond (75-73) tied for eighth in the boys state championship.
Grandview Prep junior Yvette O’Brien (69-71) tied for sixth in the girls state final. Sagemont
junior Ariana Silver (69-77) and Berean Christian sophomore Staci Pla (73-73 both finished tied
for 15th.