American Heritage’s Luke Clanton, Sagemont’s Gloria Nip are Broward Golfers of the Year
It’s easy to understand Luke Clanton’s confidence.
And even easier to understand his grander goals.
Clanton has been one of South Florida’s top prep golfers each of the last four years, winning the individual Class 2A title three times — just the second person in FHSAA history to win three state titles in a four-year span (also Columbus’ James Vargas) — and helping Plantation American Heritage win a team state title this year after the Patriots finished as runners up for four consecutive years.
But this was just Step 1 for Clanton, who is the Miami Herald’s Broward Boys’ Golfer of the Year for the fourth time and off to Florida State to play golf.
From there, the end goal is to get his PGA Tour card — and dominate.
“I want 15 majors,” Clanton said. “My goal isn’t just trying to make it. I want to be one of the best of all time. It’s a little cocky of an answer, but that’s always what I’ve wanted since I was a little kid.”
Clanton certainly has the moxie and determination to get that far.
And he has shown throughout his playing career at American Heritage that there is potential to reach that ultimate goal.
He shot a 3-under 141 at the two-day Class 2A state championship to win the individual title at the Mission Inn Resort & Club at Howey-in-the-Hills. He also won individual titles as a freshman in 2018 and junior in 2020.
He started falling in love with the sport when he was 12. The grind and the commitment the golf commands helped him gravitate toward the sport.
“I love how you can put as much time and effort into it and still not get the payoff,” Clanton said. “It’s not where you get big and you get strong. It’s more mental. Going out there every day and practicing as hard as you can and seeing it pay off is the best.”
And this is just the start.
Clanton grew up admiring the likes Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas and Dustin Johnson among others.
At some point, he hopes to join their ranks.
“I’m excited to play with them in a couple years. That’s my goal,” Clanton said. “But I’m excited to beat them.”
Girls Golfer of the Year: Gloria Nip
Gloria Nip closed out her freshman season on a high note.
She dominated at the two-day state championship, posting a 3-under 141 to finish in a tie for third individually in Class 1A and help Sagemont to a third-place team finish, seven strokes shy of first-place Windermere Prep.
Nip was the only girls golfer in Broward county to post an under-par score at states this year. Nip also finished runner-up finish at the Region 4-1A competition and tied for fifth at districts.
Nip was born in China and her family lived on a golf course, so she picked up a club early on. Her family moved to the United States when she was 5, and her interest in the sport stuck.
“I tried other sports,” Nip said, “but I liked golf the most.”
This story was originally published January 26, 2022 at 8:00 AM.
.JPG)