Apopka Blue Darters

Players to watch: The Blue Darters’ top returning seniors are Lucas Caplan and Jacob Hutchinson. Juniors Richard DeShetler and Ryan Day will look to contribute heavily this year, too, and a slew of younger players will also be key parts of the team, including junior Davis Holland and sophomores Kyle Eckert, Hayden Broadwater and Christian Nelson.

Outlook: “My team is coming off the best season in school history,” says Coach Don Cary, whose squad went 12-4-1 last year, placed 2nd in the Metro Conference (West) Tournament, 3rd in the Class 3A, District 5 tournament, and earned the first berth to a regional tournament in school history. “The team looks to continue its success this season with a strong contingent of experienced players returning. We are striving toward an appearance in the state tournament; a goal that is foremost in our minds during every season.”

Boone Braves

Players to watch: Junior Nick Bessire, who was district champion in his freshman and sophomore years, will lead the men’s golf squad for Boone in 2016. Another top player to watch will be Connor Eakins, a senior who brings much needed experience to the team.

Outlook: “Nick Bessire and Connor Eakins will look to lead a young Boone team in 2016,” says Coach Todd Gregory. “Boone will have eight returning players from the 2015 team that only featured three upperclassmen.” Having made it to Regionals in 2013 and 2014, the Braves missed out on Regionals in 2015 by five shots and will be eager to return to the competition this year. “Nick Bessire is considered the best player in the Central Florida area,” Gregory adds. “He will look to continue his team and individual success in 2016.”

Colonial Grenadiers

Players to watch: The Grenadiers’ boys’ golf team actually won’t have any returning players in 2016, but for a good reason: They didn’t field a team at all last season due to a lack of interest from the student body. But thanks to a few interested underclassmen who are hoping for a chance to shine on the links, the program is up and running again.

Outlook: The new coaching staff, led by Scott Venable, will doubtlessly need some time to get their team up to speed, and the presence of Winter Park and other strong golf schools in Class 3A, District 6 won’t make their jobs any easier. A lot will depend on the new players, who will at least have enthusiasm on their side.

Cypress Creek Bears

Players to watch: An incoming flux of freshmen is poised to give the Cypress Creek program an optimistic start as the new season begins. This rebuilding year also gives up-and-comers and transfers the opportunity to make an impression on Cypress Creek golf.

Outlook: Cypress Creek failed to make a mark at 2015’s district or regional tournaments, which leaves nothing but room for improvement. Whether Coach Terry Howard and this year’s squad will be up to the challenge is what Bears fans are waiting to see.

Dr. Phillips Panthers

Players to watch: The Panthers lost a couple of low scorers to graduation after last season, but a pair of young-but-experienced standouts hopes to continue the team’s successes from that campaign. Juniors Justin Isenhour and Joey Hodges, who helped secure the squad’s 3rd-place finish at 2015’s Class 3A, District 7 championship, are both slated to return.

Outlook: Under Coach Tony Wilson’s guidance, the Panther’s boys’ golf team shot an aggregate 334 at the district tournament, marking their lowest 18-hole of the year. Assuming Isenhour and Hodges continue to mature, we’d expect to see more greatness from this group.

East River Falcons

Players to watch: The graduation of Joe Hierholzer, who was the only Falcon to qualify at last year’s Class 3A, District 8 championship, left the team with nothing but questions as to who their leading players might be this year. On the plus side, it’s a prime time for newcomers to quickly prove their worth.

Outlook: Outside of Hierholzer qualifying for the regional tournament as an individual, there were few bright spots in the Falcons’ 2015 golf schedule. Coach Gary Roth will need the help of some solid incoming players to see much of an improvement.

Edgewater Eagles

Players to watch: The good news is that the Eagles had a strong showing at last year’s district championship. The bad news is, all but one of the players that brought them there graduated at the end of the season. Still, returning senior Disney Williams should lend some muchneeded experience to what will be a young team.

Outlook: The Eagles are coming off a great year, finishing at No. 2 in Class 2A, District 6. It will be a rebuilding season for them due to last year’s departures, but school officials report that they’re eager to grow and strengthen their program under new head coach Steve Brewer.

The First Academy Royals

Players to watch: Junior JoJo Pinel and sophomore John Dubois are expected to be the team’s leaders in 2016, following strong performances on both players’ parts last season. DuBois led the Royals team that took 3rd place at the Class 1A, District 10 championship, with Pinel just one stroke over him.

Outlook: First Academy’s Coach Kacey Kowars expects the Royals to be competitive despite fielding a young team. Given the school’s tradition of excellence on the greens, we’re sure that he’ll find a way to move his squad forward.

Freedom Patriots

Players to watch: While the Patriots didn’t place at their district or region championships in 2015, players Garrett Filson and Dylan Macrae did their school proud by being the top-ranked individual qualifiers at the district level. Both will be back as seniors this year.

Outlook: “Freedom High School’s boys’ golf is looking to build off a strong 2015 season and continue the momentum and progress that our young team had achieved,” says Patriots Coach Collin Kennedy.

Hagerty Huskies

Players to watch: Four of the five players that helped Hagerty place 3rd at last year’s Class 3A, District 6 championship are returning, including incoming senior A.J. Adams. Fellow seniors Jackson Flynn and Guerin Frei will join him, as will sophomore Marcanthony Neger.

Outlook: Under Coach Brandi Malkovich, Hagerty went to regionals last year after a strong showing at the district championship, and they’ll be looking to improve on that finish in the coming season. Thanks to some key returning players, that goal should be attainable.

Lake Brantley Patriots

Players to watch: Last year’s freshman sensation Ryan Carey—the only Patriot to quality for 2015’s Class 3A, Region 2 championship—is fully expected to return to the greens this season. Despite his relatively young age, Carey should be a strong contender for the team’s most valuable player.

Outlook: Lake Brantley’s boys’ golf team didn’t place at last year’s Class 3A, District 5 tournament, but they’re a young team with up-and-coming talent that’s eager to shine. It’ll be Coach Mike Cuff’s job to teach them the poise they’ll need to reach their goals.

Lake Highland Highlanders

Players to watch: Returning senior Jake Grulla, who shot a 72 at 2016’s 1A-11 district championship, looks like the man to beat on this year’s squad. Fellow senior Johnny Lee is also expected back along with up-andcomer Ross Leveque.

Outlook: “The Lake Highland golf team is very excited for the 2016 season,” says Highlanders Coach Bret Young. “With our home-course Shingle Creek Golf Club under construction, we are looking forward to branching out and playing new courses. This season looks to be one where we can really make a run into the post-season.”

Lake Howell Silverhawks

Players to watch: Returning players Jacob Haas and Braden Gorgone both have a great chance of moving on to regionals this year, according to Silverhawks Coach William Norris. He’s also pegged Haas as their No. 1 player, and though Gorgone will be likely for No. 2, he’ll be fighting it out with Dylan McCord.

Outlook: Lake Howell didn’t qualify for the Class 3A, Region 2 tourney in 2015, but the competition is fierce in District 6 considering the presence of Winter Park, Timber Creek and Hagerty. Assuming the Silverhawks’ players continue to develop, they should have more success this year.

Lake Mary Rams

Players to watch: According to Coach Lou Suarez, Lake Mary players to watch this year include seniors Linus Samuelsson, Michael Dolin and Cameron Koohyar, as well as junior Zachary Kalia. Samuelsson, Dolin and Koohyar were among the team’s best golfers last season.

Outlook: “2015 was an amazing and unprecedented season for the Lake Mary Rams boys’ golf team,” says Suarez, whose squad became back-to-back champions in the Seminole Athletic Conference, as well as their FHSAA district, region and class. “Lake Mary plans on having another record-setting season in 2016 hunting for the unprecedented three-peat.”

Lake Nona Lions

Players to watch: The Lions fielded a dominant golf team in Class 3A, District 8 last year, taking 1st place at the district championship. Better still, the players that made it happen will be back again this year, including junior Raymond Laguna, sophomore Charles Anderson, and incoming seniors Josh Rivera, Zachary Johnson and Elias Wallace.

Outlook: It’s hard to complain about being district champs, but we’d be surprised if taking that dominance to this year’s Region 3 tournament isn’t on Coach Justin Johnson’s mind. He already has a solid core of experienced players, and the only question marks are new additions to this year’s squad.

Lyman Greyhounds

Players to watch: As a junior, Scotty Exum was an independent qualifier for the Class 3A, Region 2 tournament, and he should be an even bigger threat on the links in 2016. He’ll provide invaluable assistance to the Greyhounds’ new and experienced players alike.

Outlook: Lyman didn’t advance to regionals at 2015’s Class 3A, District 5 championship, but with Exum returning, a better season is within reach. It will be up to Coach David Campbell to figure out how to get them there.

The Master’s Academy Eagles

Players to watch: Although one player from The Master’s Academy’s 2015 boys’ golf team did qualify for regionals as an individual, he graduated at the end of last year, and the rest of the team wasn’t able to advance. Hopefully some eager new blood is all they need to get to the next level.

Outlook: The Eagles’ boys’ team, led by Coach Eric Bacon, didn’t place at last year’s Class 1A, District 11 tourney as a unit, but hopefully an influx of new players is all they need to get over the hump. Of course, the presence of Trinity Prep and Lake Highland Prep playing in the same district won’t make it easy.

Oak Ridge Pioneers

Players to watch: Oak Ridge fans would love to see some solid plays from incoming freshmen and transfers, as well as growth from any returning players. With the right additions, the Pioneers could be a serious contender in Class 3A golf.

Outlook: With Lake Nona, Celebration and Osceola all having outstanding golf teams, it can be tough for other programs in Class 3A, District 8 to make a mark. Coach Thomas O’Brien, who also leads the Pioneers’ girls’ team, will need a combination of savvy coaching and skilled players to move the team forward.

Ocoee Knights

Players to watch: The Knights’ best golfer graduated at the end of last season, and it’s not clear which of this year’s class will be up to the job of filling those shoes. It will be interesting to see how returning players mature and if any fresh talent joins their ranks as a freshman or transfer.

Outlook: When you’re in the same Class 3A district as Olympia, West Orange and Dr. Phillips, it’s not easy for a team to distinguish itself, but winning is never easy. Whether Ocoee Coach Jason Thondill can help his team raise the bar remains to be seen.

Olympia Boys Golf

Olympia Titans

Players to watch: Returning players who are expected to lead this year’s team include J.P. Miller, Miguel Arias, Alex Lee and Josh Rivers. What’s more, Miller and Arias played in last year’s Class 3A, District 7 and Region 3 championships, both of which the team won before finishing 13th overall at the state competition.

Outlook: “We are looking forward to another outstanding year of Olympia boys’ golf,” says Titans Coach Kevin McElveen. “We are the defending West Metro, district and region champions, so we know that other teams will be looking to knock us off.”

Oviedo Lions

Players to watch: At last year’s Class 3A, District 5 tournament, the Lions didn’t go far on either a team or individual level, but that’s in the past and the future lies ahead. Assuming some of last year’s returning players continue to improve, there’s no doubt they could have a breakout year in 2016.

Outlook: As is often the case with an underperforming team, Oviedo’s frustration at last year’s Class 3A, District 5 championship can be attributed to the caliber of their opposition as much as to the Lions’ squad, as Lake Mary, Winter Springs and Apopka are all heavy with talent. Coach Shawn Knaub won’t have an easy time of getting Oviedo back on track, but the job is doable.

Seminole Seminoles

Players to watch: With some promising freshman talent, the ‘Noles could have the makings of a squad to reckon with in 2016. Only time—and scorecards—will tell, but we’re sure they’re going to give it everything they have no matter who’s on the team.

Outlook: The Seminoles’ ability to place at this year’s Class 3A, District 5 tourney will have as much to do with Coach Brian Emrick as it will with his young players. Helping them shave even a few points off their games could make all the difference.

Timber Creek Wolves

Players to watch: Three of the players who helped the Wolves succeed at last year’s district tournament are scheduled to be back this season. They include incoming seniors Paxson Chambers and Tanner Gonzalez, as well as junior Zach Denson.

Outlook: Timber Creek had a fantastic season in 2015, ranking at No. 2 at the Class 3A, District 6 championship before advancing to the Region 2 tourney. With three of his star players returning, Coach Sean Ashby is likely thinking of bigger and better things down the road.

Trinity Preparatory Saints

Players to watch: Incoming freshman Joseph Pagdin, who as an 8th grader advanced to last year’s Class 1A Finals and tied for 16th overall, will be back as a freshman. Also expected to return are incoming seniors Tim Rottermund, Connor McArdle and Alec Reeber, in addition to juniors Will Delgado and Charlie Tang. Rottermund was the only other Saints player to advance to the state competition.

Outlook: Trinity Prep took 2nd in the Class 1A, District 11 championship, and Rotermund and Pagdin advanced to the state level as individual qualifiers. That level of performance didn’t leave Coach Bill Geisler with much to complain about, but we expect that he’ll continue to work with his returning stars to strengthen their games.

University Cougars

Players to watch: The Cougars’ 2016 squad isn’t set yet, but Coach Stephen Hellwege plans on making that his first order of business once school resumes in August. Once the lineup is set, you can bet they’ll get to work on producing the best possible season.

Outlook: Like other teams in Class 3A, District 6 that aren’t Winter Park, Timber Creek or Hagerty, University wasn’t able to place at last year’s championship, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. Look for Hellwege to provide the best guidance he can to 2016’s squad as they head out on the links.

Wekiva Mustangs

Players to watch: Senior Nick Guiliano, who was an individual qualifier at last year’s Class 3A, District 2 tournament and tied for the low round, will return in 2016. Also joining him this year is Marco Valverde, a player who’s relatively new to the game but has shown great growth over the past two years, and Hilton Spencer, who Coach Eric McCall describes as a “wildcard” with the ability to turn in low scores every time he tees it up.

Outlook: “The Mustangs look to continue their improvement over the past two seasons,” says McCall, who’s entering his third year as the team’s coach. “I look forward to the upcoming season, as I anticipate continued improvement for the golf team here at Wekiva High School.”

West Orange Boys Golf

West Orange Warriors

Players to watch: Sophomores Grant Drogosch and Shuhey Wada and junior Dylan Bittenbender are all expected back this year, with the first two having played key roles in the Warriors placing 2nd in last year’s Class 3A, District 7 championship. Drogosch was also an individual qualifier at last year’s Region 3 tournament.

Outlook: “Our motto is ‘Live in the Moment,’” says Coach Scott Baker of his competitive team. “We also focus on connectedness and effort, which take no talent and can be given in abundance every day. I don’t have expectations, as we are not driven by outcome but by the process of becoming the best teammates we can and then allow the rest to naturally fall into place.”

Winter Park Boys Golf

Winter Park Wildcats

Players to watch: The Wildcats will be led by senior Christoph Stutts, who enjoyed individual victories at the Bishop Moore Invitational and Metro conference tournaments, as well as 3rd in the district, 2nd in the region and 16th at state. He’ll be joined by senior David Roberts and junior Pierre Viallaneix, among others.

Outlook: “We are looking forward to the 2016 golf season as an opportunity to build on the successes of 2015,” says Coach Rob Robison. And successful they were, advancing to the state tournament for the first time since 1999 and finishing in 8th place, as well as 1st place in the Class 3A, District 6 championship and 2nd in the Region 2 finals.

Winter Springs Bears

Players to watch: Thomas Brasco shot a 73 at 2015’s district competition, and he’s scheduled to return this year as a senior. Also expected back is Brasco’s fellow senior Tymek Michas.

Outlook: The Bears had a very strong season last year, finishing 2nd at the Class 3A, District 5 championship to advance to the Region 2 tourney, but had no players advance to the state finals. With three of last year’s top players graduating after the season, though, it might be a rebuilding year for Coach Rocky Ciero.