by HOWEY-IN-THE-HLLS — Jupiter Boys Golf, ranked No. 2 nationally according to iWanamaker, withdrew two of its golfers midway through the state championship this week, ending any hopes of a championship title State.
Jupiter entered the Class 3A state championship as one of the tournament favorites and was in second place after the first day of play.
However, the Warriors began Wednesday’s second round with just three of five golfers on the Mission Inn Resort + Club course, dashing hopes of a 2024 state championship.
Jupiter golfers Talan Wilkes and Cameron Kuchar, sons of nine-time PGA Tour winner Matt Kuchar, were each missing from the scoresheet on the second day of the tournament. Jupiter head coach Bruce Wasserman said “off-course incidents” forced the players to withdraw.
“Breaking the rules of the state honor code for golf, for off-course activities, that’s all I can really say,” Wasserman said.
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Florida High School Athletic Association golf administrator Ed Thompson clarified that the two golfers were not disqualified; rather, they were removed by Jupiter.
“WD” is listed next to Wilkes and Kuchar’s names on the FHSAA score sheet.
“We got disqualified as a team because we only had three guys left, but those three guys, it was a great day with what they did,” said Wasserman, who became emotional while discussing circumstances. “From the start of this year, we knew we had the talent. We had a goal of winning a state championship. We get here, we’re in position, and then this happens. It was devastating for them and emotional for all of us.”
After praising the efforts of the remaining players, Wasserman said that with all his strength, his program could have won it all.
“It’s reasonably sure that if we had had a full squad we would have won the title,” he said. “It’s tough. It’s a lesson for all of us. In the end, we had a fantastic season. We won a huge tournament in Orlando, we won districts, we won regionals, and things are happening. produce. It’s sport. It’s life. You I’ll never see a team as strong as this team.
Hampton Beebe of Jupiter shot a 144, tying for the fifth-best individual score to earn a medallion at the end of the tournament.
“We’ve come a long way this year,” Beebe said. “This place isn’t easy. I’m proud of how I finished.”
Brayden Jenard shot a 145, the eighth best score, while Tristan Wieland wasn’t far behind with a 147, good for tenth place in the tournament.
As a result of Jupiter’s ineligibility to compete as a group of golfers, Viera took first place in the state championship, flanked by Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton) and Ponte Vedra.
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Wylie Inman carded a 146, including two birdies on the back nine to move into the top 10 with a standout performance for the Panthers, who finished sixth overall in the tournament.
William Cui shot a 149 as a freshman. Notably, he made par on every hole on the second day.
Alex Peterman covers high school sports for the Palm Beach Post. He can be contacted at apeterman@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jupiter removes two players, including Cameron Kuchar, from State Golf
