HS golf SC championships: Indian Land’s Mason Kucia wins 2nd straight title; full results

The 2022 boys golf state championships unfolded earlier in the week, and several area teams and individuals turned in outstanding performances.

The Indian Land Warriors enjoyed the best finish of any area team. The Warriors were third in the 4A state tournament, which was played at the Forest Lake Country Club in Columbia. Indian Land earned its trip to the tournament by posting a runner-up finish in the Upper State event.

Indian Land head coach Rocky White, who is in second year at the helm, was most pleased with his team’s showing.

“This group really worked hard all year,” White told The Herald. “We had a couple of players who transferred in, and we added an outstanding female golfer in Alexis Shiehl, who is the only senior on the team. In addition we had a very good group who returned from last year’s fine team.”

The Warriors had a two-day team total of 620, which was 35 strokes behind state title winner AC Flora. The South Pointe Stallions were 16th in the tournament. Their 36-hole team score was 684.

The Warriors were led by freshman Mason Kucia, who won the individual state title for the second year in a row. He carded a four-under 68 on the opening day and followed with a one-over par 73 in the second round for a two-day card of 141. He edged out Luke Sullivan and Charles Cauthen, both of AC Flora, by one stroke.

“Mason was superb over the two days,” added White. “He has tremendous physical ability, and his mental approach is great. That mental approach is what really helps him.”

White added that Kucia, who was nursing a one-stroke lead in the final round, pushed his tee shot on the 15th hole to the right. He recovered, but ended up in a trap in front of green.

“I was thinking he was going to make five there,” said White. “He concentrated and almost chipped it in from the trap. He made par, and that gave him the confidence he needed down the stretch.”

Kucia is a hard worker, who is not vocal. He leads by example.

“His drive for excellence has rubbed off on the other players,” added White. “He sets his and the team’s expectations high, and then works to make them happen.”

Teammate Deaton Reed was tied for 12th with a 36-hole score of 152. He had a 78 on the first 18 holes and followed with a 74 on the second day of play. Siehl, who has signed to play with the Wisconsin Badgers next year, finished tied for 17th with a two-day total of 154. Gaines Reed completed the Warriors scoring with a 173.

OT Mitchell of the Catawba Ridge Copperheads played as an individual after his team finished ninth in the Upper State event and did not qualify for the state tournament. He was also tied for 17th at 154. He had scores of 80 and 74.

Abe Malik led the South Pointe effort. He had a 36-hole score of 157, which tied him for the 23rd spot overall. His scorecard showed scores of 79 and 78. Colin Baker (167), Ben Thompson (173), and Cooper Hartzog (188) rounded out the South Pointe scores.

In 5A, the Fort Mill Yellow Jackets turned in another outstanding season. The Yellow Jackets tied for seventh in the state tournament, which was played at the City of Charleston Municipal Golf Club.

Fort Mill turned in a team score of 323 in the opening round and followed with a 325 during the second day of play for a 36-hole score of 648. They were 32 strokes behind state champion Boiling Springs.

“We had a great year. We lost four players from last year’s team, and nobody thought that we would do this well,” said Fort Mill head coach Justin Dye. “We worked year round, and as a team we had the drive to get better every day. I am so very proud of what they accomplished.”

The Jackets were led by Cam Baker, who finished tied for fourth in the individual competition. Baker shot a 75 the first day and followed with a 73 the next day for a total of 148. He was only six shots off the pace of Tucker Simon of Wando. Teammate Alex Martin finished in the top 25. His two day total of 159 earned a tie for the 24th spot.

“Those two were our leaders all season,” added Dye. “Cam was outstanding for the state tournament. He had six birdies the first day, but he had a roller coaster round. He has always been a bounce-back player., and he was very consistent the second day.”

Dye praised Martin for his play in the Upper State as the key to getting to the final event.

“He is our only senior this year,” added Dye. “He was on last week when we needed what he did to advance.”

The Yellow Jackets scorecard was completed by Austin Anderson (165) and Parker Harrigan (176).

The Nation Ford Falcons were 13th overall in the team competition. The Falcons turned in a 328 for the first 18 holes and added a 329 during the second day of play for a two-day total of 657.

Benjamin Mills led Nation Ford with a 36-hole total of 154. He had rounds of 75 and 79. His teammate Ben Wakefield was tied for 34th. He had an 84 and a 78 for a total tournament score of 162. Harrison LaPointe (171) and Justin Wosje (173) completed the Falcons’ scoring.

In 2A, the Andrew Jackson Volunteers were 13th in the team competition. The Vols had a 367 the first day and a 360 on the second 18 holes for a two-day score of 727.

Luke Benfield led the way with a 172 for two days. He had an 85 the opening day and followed with an 87 in the next round. Adler Bell had a 182 with a score of 91 in each round. Chandler Edwards (186) and Daniel McNaughton (187) completed the Andrew Jackson scorers.

In 1A, the Great Falls Red Devils finished 13th in the 18-hole state tournament. The Red Devils had a team score of 479.

George Yarbrough led the way for Great Falls, He had a 109. Mason Alexander (113), Jackson Kennington (124), and Drake Price (133) completed the Red Devils’ scoring.

This story was originally published May 19, 2022 at 10:00 AM.