Rivalry week among the three St. Johns County boys golf powerhouses settled nothing, despite three head-to-head confrontations in six days.
Tocoi Creek won the Shark Shootout at Marsh Landing on Sept. 14 by five shots over Orlando Circle Christian, with Ponte Vedra finishing sixth and Beachside seventh.
Ponte Vedra then captured the St. Johns County Championship two days later at the Slammer & Squire, topping Tocoi Creek by seven shots, with Beachside another two behind in third.
On Sept. 19 in the Jacksonville Beach Invitational, it was Beachside’s turn, as the Barracudas won the boys division at the Jacksonville Beach Golf Club by nine shots over Ponte Vedra with a team score of 5-under 283. Tocoi Creek finished fifth at 17 over.
Led by a tournament-record
63 by freshman Lily Wachter, Beachside’s girls finished second, 29 shots behind Bolles (led by a 64 from senior Chloe McGrath), but it was enough to earn the Barracudas the overall team title at 584 (combining the boys and girls scores), nine shots ahead of Ponte Vedra and 16 over Bolles.
Because of construction on the golf course, the boys played the back nine twice and the girls played a loop of Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9 twice, then finished by playing Nos. 1, 2, 8 and 9.
Boys teams will battle through the state tournament
With three head-to-head-to-head battles settling nothing, St. Johns boys golf supremacy will be settled in the postseason, beginning Oct. 26 at Queen’s Harbour when the ‘Cudas, Sharks and Toros will play in the District 2-3A tournament.
All three are likely to advance to the Region I-3A tournament Nov. 2 at the Golf Club at Cypress Head in Volusia County and there’s every possibility, with the state’s at-large format, that one of those teams won’t get the final word until the Class 3A state tournament Nov. 13-14 at the Mission Inn Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills.
”The depth on all three teams is very strong,” said Beachside assistant coach Bernie Nacional. “It’s not just one or two stars. I told the guys to not look at the scoreboard [online]; don’t look at anyone else. Focus on yourself.”
Ponte Vedra coach Mickey Leapley, who guided the Sharks to seven state titles in a row through 2024, simply pointed out the “any given day” philosophy among the three teams and said the 3A state tournament should be a sizzler.
”It’s going to be a battle,” he said. “All three of these teams know where we stand. From what I’ve seen, we’re probably the top three of five teams. Someone is going to have to go through St. Johns County to win."
Jaspreet Kondal of Beachside won the boys' individual title with a 66 that included chip-in birdies at Nos. 10 and 12 and a lasered 4-iron on his next trip to the par-3 12th to within 10 feet.
Jaden Nacional shot 68 with only one bogey, on his final hole.
Alexander Stewart of Providence finished third with a 69, Rafael de Carvalho of Nease and Jay Huntley of Bishop Kenny (playing as an individual) tied at 70, Charlie Hipp of Creekside shot 71 and Ellis Masotti of Ponte Vedra, Ambrose Kinnare of Tocoi Creek and William McGready of St. Johns Country Day tied at even-par 72, with Kinnare rallying from a 3-over start on his first two holes by playing his last 11 holes at 5-under.
"There's a lot of solid golf being played in St. Johns County," Kondal said. "Everyone did their part today, for the boys and girls team."
Wachter, Chloe McGrath waged fierce battle
Wachter birdied five of six holes at one point en route to setting the tournament record for low 18-hole score, and drained five birdie putts of 10 feet or longer.
"I putted very well," she said about her round, her career-low 18-hole score. "It was a fun day, especially when we were able to contribute with the boys' team."
McGrath didn't go down without a fight. She birdied her last four holes for a 64, dropping putts between 3 and 15 feet.
"I found my focus late in the round," said the senior bound for William & Mary. "We all played solid."
No kidding. Chloe Pierce shot 67 for the Bulldogs, Riley Powell posted a 69 and Grace Breffitt shot 72.
But that didn't diminish how the Bolles girls dominated their division, a performance for which coach Mike McGrath has been waiting.
"We haven't been able to put this lineup out there very often [because of Bolles players competing in statewide junior tournaments]," he said. "But I think we saw what we're capable of when we're at full strength. We got off to a bit of a slow start, but they all played better as the day went on."
Jacksonville Beach Invitational
Overall standings
Beachside 584, Ponte Vedra 593, Bolles 600, Providence 609, Creekside 641, Nease 662, Episcopal 672.
Boys results
Beachside (283): Jaspreet Kondal 66, Jaden Nacional 68, Palmer Scott 74, Christopher Grota 75, Levi Naidu 85.
Ponte Vedra (292): Ellis Masotti 72, Jude Johnson 73, Ryder Averdick 73, Maxwell Morgan 74.
Providence (294): Alexander Stewart 69, Jack Cole 73, Keelan Jackson 75, Gavin Ring 77, Joseph Scott 84.
St. Johns Country Day (304): William McGready 72, Anderson Vogt 75, Reece Hoffman 77, Noa Bridges 80, Charlie Beard 81.
Tocoi Creek (305): Ambrose Kinnare 72, Kaden James 74, Daniel Dyches 77, Mason Zahner 82.
Creekside (308): Charlie Hipp 71, Luke Luu 75, Grayson Gardell 77, Grant Gardell 85, Zander Nesbeth 91.
Episcopal (322): Luke Michaud 77, Wilson Livingston 83, Noah Jorge 86, Banks McAllister 86, Luke Stover 90.
Bolles (328): Nico Vasto 78, Payne Allen 82, Teigen Kornick 83, Jackson Guthrie (85), Stephen Pierce 86.
Fletcher (333): Gabriel Lewis 77, Myles Hayes 82, Braxton Nadeau 86, Liam Smith 88, Knox Johnson 91.
Nease (330): Rafael de Carvalho 70, Landry Wilkins 85, Richie Davidson 85, Aiden Mercer 90, Brett George 92.
Individuals: Jay Huntley (Bishop Kenny) 70, Michael Rattigan (Wolfson) 78.
Girls results
Bolles (272): Chloe McGrath 64, Chloe Pierce 67, Riley Powell 69, Grace Breffitt 72, Ellyn Park 74.
Beachside (301): Lily Wachter 63, Olivia Connell 75, Alexia Iordonov 78, Avni Reddy 85, Addy Smotherman 86.
Ponte Vedra (301): Nina Santiago 71, Charlotte Xia 72, Kennedy Hronek 78, Elina Memisevic 80, Kendall Larger 80.
Providence (315): Honor Donaldson 68, Brooke Thomas 73, Harbor Donaldson 78, Wynn McCann 96, Brooklyn Baptist 110.
Nease (332): Mattie Velasquez 77, Chloe Frank 81, Lexy Siebert 86, Laney Siebert 88, Kimberly Bursch 105.
Creekside (333): Sarah Beth Walter 74, Gracie Duett 75, Caroline Cottrill 86, Victoria Rangel 98, Lindsay Leonard 98.
Episcopal (341): Sahana Chokshi 72, Simryn Chokshi 77, Ella Frigon 91, Portia Alvarez 101, Sarina Tangyingyong 119.
Individual: Addison Kipnis (St. Johns Country Day) 80.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: St. Johns golf supremacy yet to be decided after three events in six days
