Oklahoma high school boys golf: OU commit Preston Albee wins, Edmond North returns to top

TULSA — Earnest Crain has more than 50 years of golf experience, but he admits a rising star gives him and his buddies some trouble on the course.

The aforementioned challenger knows Crain as Pawpaw.

Choctaw junior Preston Albee has surpassed his grandfather, and Crain’s eyes gleamed with pride when he talked about it.

“I can’t even cheat and beat him now,” Crain said.

Albee fares well against competitors in his age group, too.

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The OU commit fired an 8-under-par 205 through three rounds at Tulsa’s Oaks Country Club for his first Class 6A boys golf individual state title. Albee carded a 1-over 72 in the third round Tuesday to secure the gold medal.

Edmond North topped the team standings for the program’s 18th state title. The Huskies shot an 876 through three rounds, finishing 11 strokes ahead of runner-up Owasso while Jenks placed third with an 890.

Edmond North coach Cody Murray said he was proud of his team for adding to the school’s golf legacy.

“We want to have that tradition, but a lot of times, it can be a bit of a double-edged sword,” Murray said. “These guys are having to golf currently against an amazing 6A state tournament field, but they’re also having to golf against the ghosts of golfers that have come through at Edmond North.”

After two years without a state title, the Huskies returned to the top. Florida signee Parker Sands led Edmond North with an even 213 for fourth place, while fellow senior Hunter Baumann tied for fifth with a 215.

Albee entered Tuesday with a seven-stroke lead after a phenomenal second round in which he shot a 63 with nine birdies. Although Norman North senior Josh Stuart narrowed the gap, Albee preserved his lead. Stuart finished as the runner-up with a 6-under 207, and Owasso senior Cameron Cheek carded a 212 for third place.

“I just tried to go out and have some fun,” Albee said. “And hopefully pull away (Tuesday), which it didn’t work out like that, but a win’s a win.”

Albee said good putts were the key to his successful first day, and with a gallery of friends and family watching him, he navigated the pressure and emerged as the champion. Crain assembled a group of friends, including Central Oklahoma men’s basketball coach Bob Hoffman, to watch Albee compete Tuesday.

“He’s the kind of kid who can stop and refocus, and he did that,” Crain said. “He got three down, and he got three birdies in a row and got back on his game and just grinded today.”

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Freshman Coleman Sides wins Class 5A title, helps Cascia Hall claim team crown

Coleman Sides felt the pressure in the waning moments of the Class 5A state tournament.

A freshman at Tulsa Cascia Hall, Sides had finished in a tie with Heritage Hall sophomore Ben Lathrop, so the two faced off in a playoff.

Whoever beat the other on the 18th hole first would be crowned the individual state champion, and the weight of the situation set in for Sides.

“Really at the end there, I just had to kind of let it go and just hit a good shot up there, put some pressure on the other opponent and finish it off right there.” he said.

Sides may have felt some nerves, but he didn’t let it affect him.

He beat Lathrop in the playoff for his first championship as Cascia Hall ran away in the team standings Tuesday at Winter Creek Golf & Country Club in Blanchard.

For Sides, this is likely just the beginning of a special high school career.

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“All of the practice that I’ve done before this and leading up to this, really shows that my work paid off,” he said. “Just really excited right now.”

Sides finished with a three round total of 211, while Cascia Hall had a team score of 874 as it placed ahead of Heritage Hall (904) and Carl Albert (931).

“We had the kind of team that we control the controllables,” Cascia Hall coach Brian Rahilly said. “If we play the way we’re capable of playing, we put numbers up that are hard for people to beat.”

Cascia Hall’s five golfers each placed near the top of the field of 72.

Freshman Banks Cozby took fourth, freshman Trace Overland took fifth, senior Cosby Carter finished eighth and junior Matthew Kendrick finished 12th.

“You work hard to kind of get in position,” Rahilly said. “You’re never guaranteed that kind of performance, so just makes you proud of your guys.”

Class 3A: Collin Bond, Community Christian win back-to-back titles

Collin Bond’s closest competitor was his teammate.

As the Community Christian senior played his final round in the Class 3A state tournament Tuesday, sophomore Will Whorton was gaining on him.

“I definitely acknowledged the fact that he was kind of at my tail, but I appreciate that he kind of gave me a little bit more competition than I had last year,” Bond said. “And it made the win more special.”

The duo soared atop the leaderboard as the Royals won their second straight state title. Bond, an Oklahoma State signee, shot a 3-under-par 210 to repeat as an individual champion, while Whorton finished as the runner-up with a 217.

Last season, Community Christian secured a Class 2A state championship, and the move to a higher classification was no problem. The Royals carded an 895, using a 69-stroke lead to run away with the 3A crown.

On Monday, golfers had to deal with a water-saturated course, and no one shot under par. Although the course conditions in Muskogee continued to present challenges Tuesday, Bond overcame them to fire a 5-under 66.

“He’s got a tremendous will to succeed,” said CCS coach Jerry Stephens.

With Bond and Whorton leading the way, the Royals had depth. Jackson Kennedy, Gage Tucker and Carson Montgomery all finished in the top 20.

“I think just watching my teammates grow and seeing them progressing to be different types of golfers, it’s pretty sweet to be able to be in a leadership position,” Bond said. “I think it’s really good for me because I’m going to be at a different team setting when I go to college. I really appreciate the memories I made with these kids, and they’ve come a long way.”

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Class 4A: Jace Chaney leads Plainview to championship

For the second straight year, Plainview is a state champion.

After winning the Class 3A state title last season, Plainview repeated in a higher classification. Plainview shot a 901 for first place, while Oklahoma Christian School followed with a 915 and Crossings Christian recorded a 916.

Plainview junior Jace Chaney carded a 212 for the individual title. Crossings Christian sophomore Jackson Magness was the runner-up with a 219, and Poteau senior Connor Whitworth placed third with a 220.

Class 2A: Latta takes state

Latta returned to the top of Class 2A.

After winning the 2022 state championship, Latta couldn’t go back-to-back because Community Christian claimed the 2023 title. But with CCS in 3A, Latta reemerged as the 2A champion. Latta carded a 984 to win by 45 strokes. Thomas-Fay-Custer placed second, and Tulsa Regent Prep finished third.

Walters senior Carter Ray took the individual title with a 219. Regent Prep junior Benton Manly shot a 227 for second, and senior Parker Pogue was Latta’s top scorer with a 230, placing third.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma HS boys golf: OU commit Preston Albee, Edmond North win 6A