The Dublin Jerome boys golf team again entered the season with high expectations thanks to the return of seniors Brady Barnum and Evan Menges and sophomore Blaise Barnum, Brady’s brother.
Jerome seeks a second consecutive Division I state championship and 11th overall, and Brady Barnum hopes to win a second straight individual state title.
“We are talented, but there are lots of great teams around the state,” coach Brad Sparling said. “We have to continue to get better every day, but we are really excited about the chemistry on the team and it’s going to be a fun year.”
Jerome appeared to be in midseason form in its opener, shooting a 289 to win the Dublin Coffman
Invitational on Aug. 1 at The Country Club at Muirfield Village, ahead of runner-up Cincinnati St. Xavier (297). Brady Barnum shot a 68 for medalist honors.
St. Charles, which finished second to Jerome last season at state, also returns a strong nucleus.
In Division II, state runner-up Buckeye Valley lost state medalist Sam Reynolds to graduation and has a new coach. Brian Daniels has succeeded Mark Paluszak, who stepped down after four seasons to accept the same position at Division III Maryville College in Tennessee.
Here are 12 central Ohio boys golfers to watch this fall:
Blaise Barnum, Dublin Jerome
Barnum was a driving force behind the Celtics’ success last year, capping his freshman season by tying for 34th at state (157). He earned medalist honors at district (68), leading Jerome to the title while finishing one stroke ahead of his brother. Barnum tuned up for this season by winning the American Junior Golf Association Preview, shooting a 9-under-par 207 on July 29-31 at Quail Creek Country Club & Resort in Robinson, Illinois.
Brady Barnum, Dublin Jerome
The Georgia commit punctuated his team’s state championship performance last season, earning medalist honors with a two-day 137. Barnum also was OCC-Cardinal Golfer of the Year with a 66.75 average in the four-round league tournament, leading the Celtics to their 18th consecutive OCC title. He was named The Dispatch’s Boys Golfer of the Year at the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards on June 22 at Upper Arlington High School.
Hudson Burkey, St. Charles
The senior is among the reasons St. Charles expects to have another strong season after finishing two shots behind Jerome at state last season, 578-580. Burkey, a Murray State commit, tied for 10th at state (148) after tying for 11th at district (73) and being first-team all-CCL (134).
Harry Hadden, St. Charles
The senior led the Cardinals at state last fall, placing fourth (144) to earn first-team all-state honors. Hadden tied for fourth at district (71) and was second-team all-CCL (151). St. Charles finished second at district (288) behind Jerome (283).
Owen Heilmann, Olentangy Berlin
The junior was the Bears’ lone representative in the Division I district tournament last season, tying for 14th (74). He was honorable mention all-OCC-Cardinal, averaging 70 in three rounds.
Ben Hoover, Northridge
The junior closed his 2025 season by tying for 41st (85) in the Division II state tournament, which was limited to one day because of bad weather. Hoover earned medalist honors at district (74), helping the Vikings finish fourth (334) behind champion Buckeye Valley (322). He was second-team all-Licking County League (85.75).
Edison Hill, Thomas Worthington
The senior is the Cardinals’ top returnee from last season’s district tournament, where he tied for 14th (74) as Thomas finished sixth (303). Hill was second-team all-OCC-Cardinal (74.75).
Deacon Kroeger, Teays Valley
The sophomore capped his standout freshman season by tying for 16th (150) in the Division I state tournament. Kroeger tied for fourth at district (71) and was OCC-Buckeye Golfer of the Year (75.5).
Evan Menges, Dublin Jerome
The Miami University commit is coming off a memorable offseason that included winning a U.S. Open local qualifier, shooting an 8-under 64 on April 27 at Four Bridges Country Club in suburban Cincinnati. Menges then tied for 43rd (4-over 148) in a final 36-hole U.S. Open qualifying event June 8 at the Lakes Golf and Country Club in Westerville. Menges tied for seventh last season at state (146) after tying for 21st at district (75). He was honorable mention all-OCC-Cardinal (75).
Pierce Stealey, St. Charles
The junior was another key contributor to the Cardinals’ success last season. Stealey tied for 10th at state (148). He also tied for 30th at district (77) and was first-team all-CCL (143).
Owen White, Thomas Worthington
The senior should join Hill in giving Thomas a solid tandem at the top of its lineup. Last season, White tied for 28th at district (76) and was honorable mention all-OCC-Cardinal (78.75).
Aaron Xu, Dublin Coffman
Coach Scott Sutherland said the Shamrocks have high expectations this season, and key returnees such as Xu are the reason why. Xu, a senior, tied for 21st at district (75) last season and was honorable mention all-OCC-Central (71.33).
High school sports reporter Frank DiRenna can be reached at fdirenna@dispatch.com and at @DispatchFrank on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Central Ohio high school boys golfers to watch in 2026 OHSAA season
