On April 16-17, members of the Colleyville Heritage High School and Grapevine High School boys golf teams competed at the UIL 5A Region 1 tournament, where CHHS senior Wylie Waldrip and GHS senior Mason Palmer both qualified as individuals to the UIL 5A State tournament.
Both golfers scored a 77 on the first day of the tournament, but would improve their game on day two, while dealing with high winds.
Waldrip finished his final round with a 72 and claimed the individual regional championship.
“His ability to keep hitting greens and consistently being able to keep par in the equation was the ultimate factor over the two days that led to his success,” said CHHS head golf coach Ryan Parker.
Waldrip is now the first CHHS boys golfer to compete for the individual state title since Kevin Watts in 2019.
“This was a huge accomplishment for him this year to come out and win the regional championship,” said Parker. “We had a game plan going into the tournament as to what he and I wanted to do to be able to put him in the best position, and we followed that to a tee.”
Palmer would have to overcome adversity during his round on day two. After shooting a triple bogey on the seventh hole and a double bogey on the 10th, Palmer went on to eagle the 11th and birdie the 15th and 18th holes to secure a ticket to state.
“His back nine was a masterpiece in shotmaking,” said GHS head golf coach Bryan Humphreys. “Mason seemed to relax and let his hard work and talent take over after his struggle at number 10.”
Palmer will be attempting to be the first boys golfer at GHS to win a state title. The last individual state champion was Chloe Sirkin in 2023, who is now a senior on the GHS girls golf team that will also be competing at state as a team, along with the CHHS girls golf team.
Waldrip and Palmer will compete for the state championship on May 5-6 at the Legacy Hills Golf Club (301 Del Webb Blvd, Georgetown, TX 78633).
Good luck to all our GCISD student athletes at state!