Oklahoma high school boys golf: Who are stars to watch at 2024 state tournaments?

Hallie Hart, The Oklahoman

Spring storms disrupted the Class 6A Oklahoma high school boys golf regionals, but teams made a new plan work.

Although Ponca City and Owasso were set to host, heavy rains made the course at Ponca City unplayable. Instead, both regionals took place at Owasso’s Bailey Ranch Golf Club with half of the teams competing Wednesday and the other half playing Thursday.

The results indicated competition is wide open at the Class 6A state tournament, which is scheduled to start Monday morning at The Oaks Country Club in Tulsa. Host Owasso won the Wednesday regional with a 288, finishing nine strokes ahead of runner-up Jenks. Then Edmond North claimed the Thursday title with a 284, seven strokes ahead of runner-up Edmond Memorial.

Norman North and Stillwater are also contenders to watch. Norman, the defending state champion, finished eighth at regionals. But the Tigers showed last year anything can happen at state, rising from the middle of the pack to emerge as the champion.

Here are more storylines and golfers to watch at Oklahoma high school state tournaments, which are set for Monday-Tuesday as weather permits:

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Norman’s Sebastian Salazar tees off during the Husky Classic Golf Tournament at Lincoln Park Golf Course in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, April 11, 2024.
Norman’s Sebastian Salazar tees off during the Husky Classic Golf Tournament at Lincoln Park Golf Course in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

Community Christian elevates to Class 3A

Last season, Community Christian made history with its first state title in boys golf.

The Royals dominated the Class 2A state tournament, winning by 26 strokes. This year, as the Royals strive to go back-to-back, they’re facing new competition.

Community Christian elevated to Class 3A, but that hasn’t been a problem. With Oklahoma State signee Collin Bond leading the way, the Royals won their 3A regional.

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Collin Bond, Community Christian junior and Oklahoma State golf commit, poses for a portrait at Belmar Golf Club in Norman, Okla. on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
Collin Bond, Community Christian junior and Oklahoma State golf commit, poses for a portrait at Belmar Golf Club in Norman, Okla. on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

Can anyone in Class 5A dethrone Duncan?

Duncan is striving to three-peat as the Class 5A state champion, but a few formidable challengers stand in the way.

Heritage Hall, a team that competed in 4A last year, won the 5A West regional with a 297 at John Conrad Regional Golf Course in Midwest City. Carl Albert finished as the runner-up with a 309, while Ducan carded a 316 for third.

Tulsa Cascia Hall is also a likely frontrunner after winning the 5A East regional in Pryor with a 289.

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10 OKC-area golfers to watch

Preston Albee, Jr., Choctaw: The OU commit won his regional title with a two-under 70. The week before regionals, he placed third at the PC North Invitational.

Collin Bond, Sr., Community Christian: The Oklahoma State signee shot a 19-under 197 at state last season, leading Community Christian to its first championship. This year, he won his regional title by nine strokes.

Kale Flinton, Jr., Edmond Memorial: Flinton placed second at regionals with a five-under 67 at Bailey Ranch Golf Club in Owasso. He helped Edmond Memorial finish as the runner-up.

Grant Gudgel, Sr., Stillwater: Gudgel had a higher score than usual at regionals, but he’s typically Stillwater’s leader. The Oklahoma State signee won the Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference Invitiational earlier this season with a 5-under 66.

Grant Gudgel of Stillwater High School tees off on the 2nd hole during the final round of the 6A Boys Golf State Championship at Bailey Ranch Golf Glub Tuesday, May 9, 2023 in Owasso, Ok.
Grant Gudgel of Stillwater High School tees off on the 2nd hole during the final round of the 6A Boys Golf State Championship at Bailey Ranch Golf Glub Tuesday, May 9, 2023 in Owasso, Ok.

Ben Lathrop, So., Heritage Hall: The defending Class 4A runner-up, Lathrop is now in 5A. He shot a six-under 66 for a regional title this season, guiding Heritage Hall to the championship.

Jackson Magness, So., Crossings Christian: Magness reached a three-way tie for first at regionals and placed third after the tiebreaker, leading Crossings to win the team title.

Jackson Payne, Jr., Bethany: Payne carded a 70 for first place at regionals, guiding Bethany to a third-place team finish.

Sebastian Salazar, Sr., Norman: Salazar is the defending individual state champion in Class 6A. He carded a 1-under 215 to take the title.

Parker Sands, Sr., Edmond North: The Florida signee led Edmond North to a regional title. He won the individual championship with a six-under 66.

Josh Stuart, Sr., Norman North: The Pacific signee placed third at last year’s state tournament.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma high school boys golf: Who are stars to watch at state?

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