Boys golfers compete during the Region 4-1A championship at The Park
Benjamin took first and Oxbridge Academy placed second as Palm Beach County teams dominated the field in the Region 4-1A championship for boys golf.
- The Benjamin boys golf team is seeking redemption at the Class 1A state championship after a close loss last year.
- Charlie Woods, son of Tiger Woods, is the top seed for the No. 1 ranked Benjamin team.
- Defending champion Oxbridge Academy aims to repeat its victory from last year’s state tournament.
- The two-day championship will also feature other top-ranked teams, including First Academy and Montverde Academy.
HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Florida — Charlie Woods and Benjamin boys golf will finally have their chance at Florida state championship redemption on Nov. 14 and 15.
Woods, son of professional golfer Tiger Woods, will man the top line for Benjamin in the Class 1A State Championship at Howey-in-the-Hill’s Mission Inn + Resort.
Benjamin, which won its fourth state championship in 2023, is eyeing a return to the top of Florida varsity golf after local rival Oxbridge Academy won the Class 1A state championship last season.
In 2024, Benjamin faltered in the opening round of the two-day event and, despite a furious rally, couldn’t catch the ThunderWolves, who won the first state title in program history.
“The comeback was great,” Benjamin head coach Toby Harbeck told The Post after this year’s regional championship victory. “And I told them just a few minutes ago, ‘We’re not waiting for a comeback this year.’ I feel like we’ve got a good chance.”
Oxbridge Academy returned the ‘same team’ from last year’s historic state title and will once again be a top contender at 1A state.
Woods, a junior, enters the week ranked No. 27 in Florida according to the FHSAA’s iWanamaker rankings. Junior Brooks Colton is the highest-ranked player from Palm Beach County at No. 10 in the state, while freshman phenom Clint Lewis is No. 17 overall.
The Bucs, who battled windy conditions in last year’s first-round struggles, will face colder temperatures this week at Howey-in-the-Hills.
Midweek highs have been in the 60s with play delayed an hour on Wednesday in the Class 3A State Championship due to an overnight frost. Conditions are expected to warm with projected highs in the low 70s for Friday and Saturday.
Oxbridge Academy hopes to defend title
While Benjamin won the district and regional championships last year, it was Oxbridge Academy that won the biggest event of the year, clinching their first state championship after the team was buoyed by an impressive first day on the course.
The Thunderwolves will look for a replicate that result this week after losing to finishing second to Benjamin at districts and regionals.
Oxbridge Academy enters 1A state with momentum after Ajax Lanasa shot 66 (5-under) to lead the field during the regional championship. Meanwhile, Joey Iaciofano will look for an encore performance after posting the second-best overall score during last year’s state tournament with a 141 (even).
Other contenders, details for Class 1A championship
First Academy in Orlando sat between No. 1 Benjamin and No. 3 Oxbridge in iWanamaker’s statewide rankings entering the week ahead of the Class 1A state championship.
No. 4 Montverde Academy and No. 5 Circle Christian round out the top-ranked programs that will be participating.
The first tee-times for Friday’s golf action are poised for 7:30 a.m., beginning with top seeds. Benjamin’s Charlie Smith and Oxbridge Academy’s AJ Colonna will therefore be among the first of the field to kick off the action on Day No. 1
Alex Peterman is a high school sports reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at apeterman@gannett.com.
