The Charlotte Observer high school boys’ golf season preview: Teams, players to watch
Here is The Observer’s annual look at Charlotte-area boys’ high school golf:
Teams to watch
Ardrey Kell: The Knights return eight players from a squad that finished 10th at the 4A state championships, third at the 4A West Regionals and won the SoMeck 4A conference title. This season, seniors Jack Pelletier (71 average, Denison, OH, commit), Michael Switzer (71 average) and sophomore Neel Ladde (reigning SoMeck 4A conference player of the year), give Ardrey Kell the experience to be a factor in the postseason again.
Charlotte Catholic: The Cougars boast one of the nation’s best junior golfers in senior Will Hartman, a Vanderbilt University commit, who has already competed on an international stage a member of the junior President’s (Quebec, Aug. 2024) and Ryder Cup (Italy, 2023) teams. Hartman, who won the 4A state title as a freshman, took third-place at the 4A state championships last season, when he had a 70.4 average. Senior Will Guthrie, who missed the 2024 season with a shoulder injury, could also be amongst the nation’s best as a University of Georgia commit. Junior Trevor Proicou also returns to the starting lineup on a Charlotte Catholic team that has all the pieces to be a legitimate 4A state contender.
Charlotte Latin: The two-time defending NCISAA Division I state champions return the core of a team that is used to winning with the junior trio of Griffin Cheatwood (Davidson College commit, CISAA player of the year), Henry Holland (James Madison University commit, all-state), and Aston Lee (has Division I offers, all-state). With all six starters back, Coach Chris Berger and company want nothing less than a three-peat.
Hough: The Huskies return four of five starters from a team that won the Queen City Athletic conference title, The Neuse Invitational, was 4A West Regional runner-up. The Huskies also finished seventh at the 4A state championships. The senior trio of Jude Carper (Gardner-Webb University commit, 71.8 average), reigning conference player of the year, Parker Gordish (73.8 average) and Kyle Virsik (73 average) give Hough the experience to have another banner year.
Pine Lake Prep: Coach Tony Dunbar and the Pride have plenty of motivation this season, after losing in a playoff in the 2A state championship last season. This year, Pine Lake Prep returns a solid core from that squad, including two-time 2A West Regional champion Aiden Penhall, who also finished 11th at the 2A state championships, and all-conference sophomores Harrison Aull and Cameron Gundy. The Pride, who won the last two 2A West Regional titles, should be a factor at regional and states again.
Golfers to watch
Noah Fry, Cuthbertson: The Cavaliers’ junior, second in the Southern Carolinas’ conference in scoring last season and a 4A state qualifier, is back to lead a deep Cuthbertson team. It also features junior Cathan Yap (co-4A Midwest Regional champion) and promising freshman Marc D’Amico.
Carson Greenway, East Mecklenburg: The Eagles’ junior is back (45.2 average per nine holes) with seniors Peter Byrne and Ethan Fallowes to look “to surprise the Southwestern 4A conference and make the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade,” according to East Meck coach Thomas Jamerson.
Benny Goins, Mooresville: The Blue Devils returns three of their five starters led by seniors Goins (44 average) and Cole Heslin (43 average).
Reid Heaton, Myers Park, Sr.: The Mustangs’ senior, a Washington & Lee University commit, tied for seventh at the 4A West Regional, finished 24th at 4A state championships and is looking to help put Myers Park back into regional and state contention. He’ll team with senior Thomas Price (Berry University commit) and juniors George Fisher and Craig Wardlaw.
Brady Macfee, Lake Norman Charter: The Knights’ all-South Piedmont conference (SPC) performer is back to lead a team that will also feature juniors Will Palmer and Tanner Stultz. Lake Norman Charter looks to build on a program-best sixth-place 3A state championship finish in 2024.
Lleyton McCulloch, Hickory Ridge: The Ragin’ Bulls’ senior, a Virginia Wesleyan University commit (38.8 average), was an all-Greater Metro 4A conference performer last season.
Will Monteith, South Point: The Red Raiders’ all-Big South conference sophomore (78.7 average last year) is South Point’s top returning player, with junior John Cortazzo and freshman Harley Green, also expected to play key roles.
Alec Motherwell, Carmel Christian: The Cougars’ freshman tied for 19th at state championships (76) as an eighth-grader, shot in the 30s nine times last season (on nine holes) and is one of two returnees with sophomore Reid Huxley (also a state qualifier).
Alexander Paschall, Charlotte Christian: The Knights’ senior, a Davidson College commit (tied for 10th at state tournament last year), gives Charlotte Christian a strong one-two punch at the top of their lineup with classmate Stokes Greene, a Queens University commit.
Wells Rose, Charlotte Country Day: The Buccaneers’ all-conference junior averaged a 75.5 last season and pairs with senior, Hudson Schulze, a four-year lettermen, to give Charlotte Country Day experience in their lineup.
Warren Stilglitz, East Lincoln: The Mustangs’ sophomore looks to build on a breakout freshman season, where he was Western Foothills’ Athletic 3A conference player of the year and tied for 10th at states. He returns with seniors Landon Jay (Belmont Abbey commit) and Jared Myers (Lenoir-Rhyne commit).
Garrison Welborn, Metrolina Christian: The Warriors’ senior, a Wingate University commit, tied for 27th at the state championships. Welborn teamed with sophomore Landon Helms to help Metrolina Christian to an 18-3 record and ann eighth-place finish in the team standings at the state finals last year.
Drew Yeagley, Marvin Ridge: The Mavericks’ senior, an Elon University signee, was Southern Carolinas’ conference (SCC) player of the year, 4A Midwest Regional champion and tied for 10th at the 4A state championships.
Notes
Growing up: The Mallard Creek golf team, led by first-year head coach John Gunter, has one of the youngest teams in the state — no seniors, three juniors, five sophomores and four freshmen. Juniors Tyler Brown, a third-year player, and Josyah Peters, a defensive back on the Mallard Creek football team, will lead the way for this young team.
New program: Coach Craig Calcasoa takes over the new Ballantyne Ridge golf program that he believes has potential from the start.
▪ Palisades coach Tommy Phillips had a one-player team in 2023, the first year the school was opened. The Pumas had four players last year and have 12 this season, led by sophomore Hudson Nolden, a tight end on the Palisades’ football team.
▪ Former Palisades golfer Marcus Freeman, who graduated last year, is now playing golf at Chicago State University.
On the job: Forest Hills’ seniors Anderson Hinson and Mason Medlock both got jobs at a golf course this offseason and have lowered their handicaps significantly as they look to build on a third-place finish in the Rocky River conference (highest in 15 years) and compete for a league title and a regional berth this season.
