Introducing the 2023-24 Volusia-Flagler All-Area Boys Golf Team

2024 Volusia-Flagler High School Sports Awards

Spruce Creek remains atop the local class of boys golf.

The Hawks spent the majority of the season ranked inside the state’s top 10. They were the only Volusia-Flagler team to advance to the Class 3A state tournament, where they tied for 13th during their third appearance in four years.

As a result, they’re well-represented on this list. But other local highlights made it a well-rounded bunch.

Outside of Spruce Creek, four golfers from other schools played into the top five at their district tournaments and two scored in the top 10 at regionals. Seabreeze qualified for the Region 2-2A event as a group, and a New Smyrna Beach Barracuda went all the way to the 3A state tournament as an individual.

Let’s meet the team.

HIGH SCHOOL GOLF: Meet the 2023-24 Volusia-Flagler All-Area Girls Golf Team

The Volusia-Flagler High School Sports Awards is proud to announce the player of the year nominees for boys golf. The winners will be announced during the live show on Monday, June 3, at the Ocean Center Arena.

The show is presented with the support of Halifax Health. This award is sponsored by Golfweek.

During the live show, athletes of the year in 30 state-sanctioned sports will be honored. In addition, top teams, coaches and overall athletes will be honored as will a Courage Award winner. Nominated athletes who RSVP will receive a complimentary ticket to the event thanks to sponsors. Details on how additional tickets can be obtained will be available soon.

For more information about the show and to opt into email updates, visit its website and you can follow it on Facebook.

The Volusia-Flagler High School Sports Awards show is part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, the largest high school sports recognition program in the country. This year, one school from the area will win a $1,000 donation to its school’s athletic department through our School Spirit Contest. Details on how to vote for your school will be coming soon.

Nominees

New Smyrna Beach's Tyler Brewer putts during the Five Star Conference tournament at Sugar Mill Country Club, Monday, Oct. 15, 2023. — New Smyrna Beach’s Tyler Brewer putts during the Five Star Conference tournament at Sugar Mill Country Club, Monday, Oct. 15, 2023.

Tyler Brewer, New Smyrna Beach: The senior grabbed third at the district tournament with a round of even-par 71 and tied for 15th at the regional tournament. At 3A states, Brewer tied for 33rd, which was the second-highest Volusia-Flagler finish this season.

Matanzas' Trevor Challice putts during the Volusia/Flagler Boys Championship on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 at Crane Lakes in Port Orange. — Matanzas’ Trevor Challice putts during the Volusia/Flagler Boys Championship on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 at Crane Lakes in Port Orange.

Trevor Challice, Matanzas: The junior tied for fifth with a 6-over-par 76 at the district tournament and tied for 10th with a 6-over-par 78 at regionals. He averaged a 35.7 on nine-hole rounds and 74.7 on 18-hole rounds.

Spruce Creek's Gabriel Hull watches his shot during the Five Star Conference tournament at Sugar Mill Country Club, Monday, Oct. 15, 2023. — Spruce Creek’s Gabriel Hull watches his shot during the Five Star Conference tournament at Sugar Mill Country Club, Monday, Oct. 15, 2023.

Gabriel Hull, Spruce Creek: After claiming the Five Star Conference title in the regular season, the junior also won the district tournament with a 2-under-par 69. He tied for ninth with a 2-over-par 73 at regionals and tied for 19th at the Class 3A state tournament, the best placement by a Volusia-Flagler participant this season.

Spruce Creek's Scotty Messick lines up a putt during practice, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. — Spruce Creek’s Scotty Messick lines up a putt during practice, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023.

Scotty Messick, Spruce Creek: The junior shot a 1-under-par 70 to place second at the district tournament and a 3-over-par 74 to tie for 11th at regionals. Messick was the Hawks’ second-leading scorer at 3A states, tying for 47th.

Spruce Creek's Jacob Watson tees off during practice, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. — Spruce Creek’s Jacob Watson tees off during practice, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023.

Jacob Watson, Spruce Creek: As a freshman, Watson recorded averages of 35.2 on nine-hole rounds and 73.5 on 18-hole rounds. He tied for 10th with a 7-over-par 78 at the district tournament and helped the Hawks to the 3A state tournament.

Spruce Creek's Michael Watson tees off during the Volusia/Flagler Boys Championship on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 at Crane Lakes in Port Orange. — Spruce Creek’s Michael Watson tees off during the Volusia/Flagler Boys Championship on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 at Crane Lakes in Port Orange.

Michael Watson, Spruce Creek: The senior tied for first at the Volusia/Flagler Championship. He also tied for sixth with a 4-over-par 75 at the district tournament as the Hawks embarked on a postseason run to states.

Other Athletes of Note

Seabreeze's Isaac Baldwin watches his drive off the No. 18 tee box during the District 6-2A tournament at Daytona Beach Golf Club in Daytona Beach, Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. — Seabreeze’s Isaac Baldwin watches his drive off the No. 18 tee box during the District 6-2A tournament at Daytona Beach Golf Club in Daytona Beach, Monday, Oct. 23, 2023.

Isaac Baldwin, Seabreeze: Baldwin finished his junior campaign by placing second at districts and tying for 19th at regionals. His average scores on nine- and 18-hole rounds were 36.5 and 78.6, respectively.

DeLand's Isak Coveney studies his line before putting during the Volusia/Flagler Boys Championship on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 at Crane Lakes in Port Orange. — DeLand’s Isak Coveney studies his line before putting during the Volusia/Flagler Boys Championship on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 at Crane Lakes in Port Orange.

Isak Coveney, DeLand: The senior produced scoring averages of 36.8 and 79.6. Coveney fired a 79 at districts.

Seabreeze's Kyler Crafton chips onto the No. 18 green during the District 6-2A tournament at Daytona Beach Golf Club in Daytona Beach, Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. — Seabreeze’s Kyler Crafton chips onto the No. 18 green during the District 6-2A tournament at Daytona Beach Golf Club in Daytona Beach, Monday, Oct. 23, 2023.

Kyler Crafton, Seabreeze: The senior took third at the district tournament and tied for 10th at the regional tournament. He finished the year with averages of 36.5 per nine holes and 78 per 18 holes.

New Smyrna Beach's Brody Kelly escapes a sand trap during the Five Star Conference tournament at Sugar Mill Country Club, Monday, Oct. 15, 2023. — New Smyrna Beach’s Brody Kelly escapes a sand trap during the Five Star Conference tournament at Sugar Mill Country Club, Monday, Oct. 15, 2023.

Brody Kelly, New Smyrna Beach: The senior tied for the top spot at the Volusia/Flagler Championship. He had averages of 35.8 per nine holes and 81 per 18 holes.

Father Lopez's Jack Rossheim chips onto the green during the Volusia/Flagler Boys Championship on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 at Crane Lakes in Port Orange. — Father Lopez’s Jack Rossheim chips onto the green during the Volusia/Flagler Boys Championship on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 at Crane Lakes in Port Orange.

Jack Rossheim, Father Lopez: As a freshman, Rossheim recorded averages of 36.5 on nine-hole rounds and 77.5 on 18-hole rounds.

Spruce Creek's Ben Washuta tees off during the Volusia/Flagler Boys Championship on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 at Crane Lakes in Port Orange. — Spruce Creek’s Ben Washuta tees off during the Volusia/Flagler Boys Championship on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 at Crane Lakes in Port Orange.

Ben Washuta, Spruce Creek: The junior posted averages of 35.8 per nine holes and 77.2 per 18 holes on a Hawks team that cruised to the Class 3A state finals.

Top Coach

Spruce Creek coach Mark Grose poses with Hawks senior Michael Watson after the Volusia/Flagler Championship on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 at Crane Lakes in Port Orange.

Mark Grose, Spruce Creek: With Grose’s guidance, the Hawks went to their third state tournament in four years, tying for 13th. They won the Five Star Conference and Volusia/Flagler Championship trophies during the regular season. In the postseason, Spruce Creek captured the District 4-3A crown and finished fourth in Region 1-3A.