Golf season preview: Heritage girls once again lead talented South Florida golf scene
Plantation American Heritage’s golf team boasts three girls who made first-team All-Broward last season, including freshman Aryanah Ahmad, who has transferred in from North Broward Prep.
Seniors Katherine Schaefer and Alessandra Tabora also made first-team All-County , leading American Heritage to a Class 2A state title. It was the program’s 11th state title, the most of any girls’ golf squad in Florida.
The Heritage team is so loaded this year that they return two more credentialed players – eighth-graders Laura Monsalve and Nicole Wu, both of whom made second-team All-Broward last year.
Heritage also brings back Brandt Moser, who had retired from coaching last summer after nearly three decades. But he has returned due to unforeseen circumstances, and he loves his team’s chances at another state championship.
“Last year, we thought we could be in the top five at state, but we clicked at the end and won it,” Moser said. “Katherine was our captain and the Player of the Year.
“This season, we’re young, but there is talent there.”
Among other Miami-Dade-Broward girls’ golf teams, Miami Carrollton returns eighth-grade phenom Fernanda Carrion, senior captain Andrea Montaner and much-improved Petra Compton.
Carrion, despite her youth, has already been Carrollton’s top golfer for two years. She shot a 70 to finish second at districts, and she won a big summer tournament against many players four years her senior.
Compton, by the way, is the daughter of PGA tour player Eric Compton.
In boys’ golf, Miami Columbus lost all five seniors from the team that finished second at state in Class 3A last year. But freshmen twins Hector and Eduardo Perez Sainz figure to energize the Explorers.
Columbus also return juniors Victor Herrera and Hubert Ramirez, and all four of the aforementioned players are shooting between 72 and 74 on average. Junior Nick Rousseau, with a 75.4 average, is another golfer to watch because he is such a long hitter.
The American Heritage team, which finished second at state in 2A, will be led this year by freshman Sohan Patel and senior Aiden Arce, both of whom made first-team All-Broward.
In addition, senior Thomas Kirby returns after making second-team All-Broward.
Miami Belen has qualified for state four straight years, finishing eighth last season. This year, the Wolverines will be led by Lorenzo Rodriguez, the fifth-ranked 11th-grader in Florida. He was a region champ last season and has qualified for the U.S. Amateur for the second consecutive year.
In addition, Belen freshman Ryan Nieto shot a 71 at the region finals, and senior Joseph Muniz shot 71 at districts.
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, which finished fifth at regionals last year, is led by seniors Thomas Korona, Sammy Gilden and Jack Rego. Korona shot a 68 at districts. The Raiders’ girls are led by senior Nicole Castro, a district champion last season.
Miami Florida Christian graduated Junior Orange Bowl champion Nicholas Prieto, who signed with Arizona State. The Patriots return sophomores Kalani Centeno and Eros Razuri-Hoyos and junior Kevin Corzo.
Miami Ransom Everglades returns four of its top five golfers after finishing 14th at state. Senior Jackson Langer leads the way, and sixth-grader Axel Monssoh is a rising talent.
THIS AND THAT
▪ Ransom Everglades’ girls’ team will be led by junior Kate Khvorostiana, who tied for fifth at the Youth Fair.
▪ Miami Lourdes’ girls are led by junior Megan Bermejo.
▪ Miami Palmer Trinity’s boys’ team is led by junior Matias Saavedra (83.1 average).
▪ Miami Braddock’s boys’ team is led by senior Justyn Fondora and sophomore Ryan Garrido.
▪ Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest’s girls’ team is led by seventh-grader Madison Logan.
▪ Miami Westminster Christian’s girls will have a team for the second consecutive season and are led by freshman Maddy Emery and junior Jaden Bradford.
▪ Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons’ boys are led by junior Hudson Hall.
KEY DATES
Aug. 28: American Heritage Invitational at Lago Mar
Aug. 30: Lady Maverick Invitational
Sept. 12-13: Youth Fair Invitational
Sept. 27: Morrison Invitational
Oct. 2: Maverick Invitational
Oct. 6-7: QDoba TOC
Oct. 23-25: Districts
Oct. 30-Nov. 1: Regionals
Nov. 7-15: State championships in Lake County
This story was originally published August 17, 2023 at 9:00 AM.