By: Joe Delaney

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Glynn Academy Golf has long been a perennial power in the state.

And while it’s been over a decade since the Glynn Academy Boys Golf team has won a state championship, it couldn’t have been soon enough for Mike Zito and the Senior laden 2023 Red Terror outfit.

Meanwhile over on the ladies’ side, the very young Lady Terrors of Kip Hall waltzed through the AAAAAA tournament again to become back-to-back state champs for 2023.

With the old adage of age before beauty, let’s take a look at the boy’s side today.

The Glynn boys have won multiple state championships in Golf. The lineage goes back decades with great teams and great individuals.

However, as talented as Glynn has been, 2011 was the last time they had hoisted the trophy as the best team in the region and state.

I got to sit down and talk with coach Mike Zito about this year’s outfit and how the 2023 Glynn outfit was different.

Mike has headed the Red Terrors for the past decade and he has had teams as talented as this one. He will tell you that. Some very good players have come through the old school down on the south side of Brunswick. But the recurring theme of our conversation was that this team “jelled” at the right time.

He spoke of how it wasn’t easy with this group. They had ups and downs throughout the early part of the season. Some of it being injuries. Try a broken leg to one of your best players! And some of it was just young men being young men!

Through it all, Zito said these guys never lost sight of the team and the prize. And about a month before the state tournament, they jelled. They became a senior led team, which wanted it.

The result was 5 shot win for the Terrors and Red Terror Williamson Mosher taking home the individual title with an outstanding -3 (141). It was Coach Zito’s first title and a week later he was still smiling ear to ear.

“These guys were a close-knit bunch and jelled at the right time.” He said. In the weeks leading up to the tournament it was all business. The maturity and realization that it was the last shot time hit home for the boys and they responded. Let’s take a look at the 2023 State Champs and how they fared in the tournament.

I guess we should start with Williamson Mosher, who led the Terrors and won the individual trophy. His 141 over two days in subpar weather carried the Terrors. Zito noted his overall game and focus. “When he’s on, he’s just tough to beat.” And he was on!

The leading junior on the team, Hank Holcomb, finished tied for fourth at 147. Coach Zito mentioned that he was the team’s most consistent ball striker and had that “confidence in his game.” He will be back to lead the 2024 outfit.

Seniors Shep Davenport and Ellis Long rounded out scoring with a 151 and 158, respectively. Zito said Davenport had “all the shots and was uber competitive.”

While Long was “long off the tee with a great short game and demeanor.

Senior Grady Sanders, who was 3 months removed from breaking his leg in a car accident, shot a 159. Before his accident, Grady was maybe the team’s best player. It was a testament to the team concept that he fought his way back and contributed.

Seniors Michael Cook and Walker Larkin provided the depth needed and were integral members of the team.

Drew Harrison and Hayden Couturier were the young guns, having recently picked up the game and Zito spoke of how they all had steadily improved during the year, were consummate team players, and their best golf being in front of them.

Back for another shot next year are Juniors Chris Reddini and Jake Dancy, whom Coach Zito said worked hard and their time is coming.

He’s looking for them and Hank Holcomb to step up and fill some big shoes next year. I can’t express how proud Coach Zito was of these young guys and who they were and what they had accomplished.

He mentioned that ALL of the seniors would be heading to the University of Georgia next year with the exception of Ellis Long, who will head to Harvard.

Next year’s Terrors will be talented and young. But with Tim Hall churning out players from the Junior Varsity and the returning core, Zito is excited about the future.

But today, lets enjoy what these guys and this team accomplished.

GLYNN ACADEMY BOYS AAAAAA STATE CHAMPIONS.

And next issue we get to look at the burgeoning dynasty that is Glynn Academy Girls Golf.