Stewart Johnson
DPS_BGolf_2024
The last time the Carroll boys golf team competed in the UIL state tournament, some of the current team’s youngest members were in fifth grade.
That all changed at the Class 6A Region I tournament April 15-16, where the Dragons ended their four-year drought and finished second, earning a spot at the state meet April 29-30 in Georgetown.
Carroll last won the state title in 2015 and last competed at the state tournament in 2019 when it finished eighth. Thanks to strong performances from seniors like Luke Evans and Jason Lew, the Dragons prepare to write another chapter in the team’s history.
“You're always sitting there thinking that someone's going to turn the script around,” associate head golf coach Paige Martin says regarding the team’s return to state. “I feel like these boys really took it to heart and really wanted to change the narrative. They wanted to be the team to really make that happen. When they did, you could tell it was kind of a sense of relief, and they were excited.”
The Dragons charge this season was led by Evans, the team’s No. 1 starter and team captain. Lew came on strong as the season progressed, working hard to become a regular member of the tournament roster. The seniors were assisted by the young talent of sophomores Andrea Birolini, Preston Mohon and Kye Davis, who rounded out the group heading to state.
“I think it took us almost a whole year to piece together the right team,” associate head golf coach Matt Glenn says. “Once we put everybody together, it fell into place.”
The team stayed in the fight throughout the season, finishing in the top three at five of its nine tournaments this year, including two tournament wins. The Carroll boys registered their best score at the Bart Granger Memorial Tournament (287-286 - 573 two-day total) to start the season, but had their best showing among a highly competitive field at the Regional Preview Tournament in March. It was the Dragons’ first win and served as a turning point in the season.
“I think that's where you could really see it click [for the golfers] that, ‘Hey, we can actually do this,’” Martin says.
At the District 4-6A tournament, Carroll took first (284-299 - 583) in front of Trophy Club Byron Nelson. The Regional tournament provided a challenging field, and the Dragons finished second (297-287 - 584), wedged between regional winner Highland Park and third-place Dallas Jesuit.
Other than competition from their own region, Carroll’s coaches believed they were ready to face off against Austin-area schools Westlake and Lake Travis at the state tournament, as well as Houston Memorial, The Woodlands and Mansfield.
“As far as how they hit the golf ball, they're going to match up with any team that's going to be down there,” Glenn says. “I honestly think this group's going to be pretty ready.”
As reported on May 16, 2024.