Golden Eagles have won in 3A and are gunning for a second 2A title in a row; Ponte Vedra vs. Beachside rivalry brewing
Jax Beach Varsity Invitational combines boys, girls scores for one winner
The sixth annual Jax Beach Varsity Invitational is a high school golf tournament that adds boys and girls scores together for one team score
- Tyler Mawhinney, a top-ranked junior golfer, returns to Fleming Island High School for his senior season aiming for another state championship.
- A rivalry between Ponte Vedra and Beachside is expected to continue this season after Beachside disrupted Ponte Vedra’s dominance last year.
- Episcopal’s Sahana Chokshi is a top girls’ golfer to watch after a successful spring and summer
Tyler Mawhinney is back for another state championship run with Fleming Island High School.
And like last year, one of the top junior players in the world (7th on the American Junior Golf Association Rolex Rankings; 13th on Junior Golf Scoreboard) began the high school season by winning the Back to School Invitational at the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club for the second year in a row with a 65 at the Lagoon Course.
“There was no doubt Tyler was coming back for his senior year,” said Eagles coach Bruce Cloud. “He tells everyone he likes winning state championships. The banners in the gym are important to him.”
There are two in the Fleming Island gym, courtesy of the boys’ golf team. And Mawhinney has the 2023 individual 3A championship on his lengthy resume, along with a runner-up finish last year.
Whether the Eagles can make it a three-peat will depend on Mawhinney gets help from two other seniors, Ryan Houck and Carson Moore, and on the back end of the lineup.
Ponte Vedra vs. Beachside rivalry is simmering
Elsewhere, the major storyline is the budding rivalry between Ponte Vedra and Beachside. The Sharks were derailed by the Barracudas in the St. Johns County and District 2-3A tournaments last year (ending Ponte Vedra’s streak of nine district titles in a row).
Ponte Vedra then won Region 1-3A, with Beachside coming in second, and was third in the 3A state tournament, with Beachside fourth.
“Absolutely, there’s a rivalry,” Leapley said. “And it’s a very spirited but friendly rivalry. These kids all know each and play together a lot. [Beachside coach] Chris Haffley has started a very good program there and we’re going to battle a lot this year.”
Here’s a closer look at the high school golf landscape on the First Coast for the 2025 season:
Boys teams to watch
Ponte Vedra: The Sharks’ streak of seven state championships in a row ended last year, but as usual, Leapley has enough depth to contend at every level of the playoffs, with seniors Cooper Franklin, Easton Oliva and Danny Gimbell, junior James Nagle and sophomore Maxwell Morgan.
“They’ve got a little chip on their shoulder,” said Leapley of the Sharks’ state championship streak ending.
Beachside: The Barracudas delivered a shot across the bow by winning the Back to School team title over Ponte Vedra, Fleming Island, Episcopal, Bolles and Fletcher. Cousins Jonah (senior) and Jaden Nacional (sophomore) and juniors Jaspreet Kondal and Samuel Ha can be as formidable a foursome as there is in the area.
Fleming Island: Cloud likes his chances of winning the state 2A title but needs fourth and fifth players to emerge. Junior Will McGreedy is the best bet at this point.
Episcopal: Freshman Luke Stover threw a 67 on the board at the Back to School and veterans Aubrey Fellows and Dylan and Brody Tran are back. The Eagles have only one senior, Baker Eller.
Bolles: The Bulldogs lost Luke Balaskiewicz to the University of North Florida but will be strong again with seniors Neal Kuthiala and Kelly Day, and sophomores Nico Vasto and Brendan Walrath.
Fletcher: A senior-dominated lineup is led by Mason Seaton, Cole Slater and Mathis Toal.
Tocoi Creek: Sophomores Ambrose Kinnare and Brady Dougan would love to prove that tying Beachside (and losing in a playoff) and finishing ahead of Ponte Vedra in the 2024 district tournament was no fluke.
Bishop Kenny: There always seems to be a Tucker making birdies for the Crusaders. In this case it’s junior Cade Tucker, who leads the team along with senior Antony Candelora and junior Brandon Salomone.
Individuals to watch: St. Augustine senior Luke Splane tied for 10th in the 2A state tournament and for ninth in the Regon 1-2A tournament. … Creekside junior Charlie Hipp has improved during the Florida Junior Tour season, with five top-10s and a victory in eight starts. … Fernandina Beach junior Colson Hale, who made the Class 2A state tournament last year as an individual, shot 3-over 39 at Amelia River to lead the Pirates in their first nine-hole match of the season against Bolles.
Girls teams to watch
Episcopal: Junior Sahana Chokshi won district and regional titles last year and tied for sixth in the rugged 1A state tournament. Since then, she’s nearly qualified for match play in the U.S. Four Ball (with Beachside’s Sofia Rivera), reached match play in the Florida Amateur and tied for 13th in the Florida Junior. If her 8th-grade sister Simryn and senior Madi McClure contribute, the Eagles can make some noise in Class 1A.
Beachside: The 2023 state champions have a strong junior twosome in Rivera and Alexia Iordanov, and will be working on developing depth.
Bolles: The Bulldogs are always a factor. This year’s team is built around returning starters and juniors Chloe McGrath and Grace Brefitt and freshman Riley Powell.
Ponte Vedra: The Sharks are experienced with juniors Stella Moritz and Kennedy Hronek and sophomore Nina Santiago.
Stanton: The Blue Devils had their most successful golf season in 2024 and two of the top players are back, senior Alyssa Hardy and sophomore Lily Chiang.
Columbia: Watch out from the West — Seniors Megan Ruwe and Adeline Mock can help the Tigers shake things up in Class 2A.
Individuals to watch: Elle Reisner, a Fernandina Beach junior, was a worthy sidekick to state champion Sadaly Campbell, with three top-five finishes or better in the district, region and state tournaments. … St. Joseph senior Danielle Dailey has had a busy summer on the North Florida Junior Foundation, with four victories and finishing second on the Elite Tour Girls points list. Her highlight: a 69 at Fernandina Beach with a back-nine 30. … Bishop Kenny senior Katie Biagini will have to lead the team after several top returning players transferred or opted out of the high school golf season.
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