2023 Palmetto High School Golf Championships Expanding Field, Growing in Stature
By Dylan Hoffman
What better time to showcase some of the best high school golf teams in the country than springtime in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina? For the eighth consecutive year, players will be competing in the Palmetto High School Golf Championships this spring on the Grand Strand’s beautiful Mike Strantz designs at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and True Blue Golf Club. With a field expansion from 32 to 48 teams, Tradition Golf Club has also been added to the mix – giving players and teams a three-course challenge they now must conquer over the course of Easter Weekend to bring home the coveted title.
The 2023 Palmetto takes place April 6-8 in a 54-hole, collegiate-style tournament that has grown in demand and popularity to attract teams from six states and Canada, spanning the continent from the Carolinas to Texas to California. Past participants include such PGA TOUR stars as Rickie Fowler and Harris English, with this year’s field loaded with young talent that looks to someday join them at the highest level.
Here’s what you can expect to see from a handful of this year’s top contending schools and players:
Charlotte Catholic High School (NC)
Being one of the stronger high school teams in North Carolina, the Charlotte Catholic Cougars return to Myrtle Beach to defend their Palmetto Championship title fresh off a 4A State Championship in 2022 at Pinehurst No. 8. Senior Will Hartman leads the Cougars with his Junior Golf Scoreboard ranking of 37, boosted by his individual 4A State Championship in 2022. Hartman also brought home a victory at the 2022 Bobby Chapman Invitational. He also finished T12 as an individual in the Championship Flight at the 2022 Palmetto Championship.
Marvin Ridge (NC)
Marvin Ridge High School is back in 2023 seeking redemption, as they fell just short at the 2022 Palmetto Championship. Trailing first place by just one shot after Round 1 in 2022, a difficult Round 2 proved to be the difference between them and Charlotte Catholic bringing home the team trophy. Marvin is led by senior Jack Wieler, who finished T8 in the Championship Flight in 2022. Wieler is coming off a strong 2022 campaign, winning the Carolinas Junior Boys’ Championship and finishing runner-up at the Hope Valley Junior Invitational.
Charlotte Latin (NC)
Looking to build off a top 5 finish at the 2022 Palmetto Championship, Charlotte Latin is ready to make a strong run at the 2023 title. Senior Davis Sayman fired the low round of the tournament at the 2022 Palmetto Championship with a 67 at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, propelling him into a T5 individual finish. Davis also recorded a win at the 2022 North Carolina Junior Boys Championship and a third-place finish at the CGA Dogwood State Junior Boys Championship.
A.C. Flora (SC)
New to the field at the 2022 Palmetto Championship, South Carolina powerhouse A.C. Flora is coming off its second straight South Carolina Boys State Championship in 2022, the 16th in school history. The Falcons look to continue their dominance in Myrtle Beach, with senior Adam Hunt leading the charge. Hunt is no stranger to big-time golf tournaments, having previously competed in the Justin Thomas Junior Championship and the Southern Junior.
With only a few spots left, time is running out to get your team signed up. We look forward to hosting all 48 teams this April in “The Golf Capital of the World!”
