LAKELAND — Kathleen senior Darby Hancock and Frostproof freshman Hannah Castillo often text each other and meet at local golf matches.
They normally talk amongst each other like normal friends, only sprinkling in some golf nuggets.
This year they were able to carry on tradition at the 2024 Polk County Golf Championship at the Cleveland Heights Golf Course on Wednesday. And this time, they became co-champions after each shooting a 72.
Because Hancock and Castillo ended up in a tie, usually there would have been a playoff. But Hancock and Castillo made the decision to end the county tournament in a stalemate.
“It’s great. I love sharing with Darby and it means a lot to my parents, me and my brother and my teammates too. We’re all really happy,” Castillo, a first-time county champion, said.
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Hancock, who is a two-time county champion, called the finish bittersweet.
“It’s a little bittersweet just because it’s my last year and I was able to win it in the past. It’s also so amazing I get to share it with Hannah because I’ve known her for such a long time and it’s her first year being a freshman and it’s my last year, so I can’t wait to see where she goes also, and I hope she wins in the coming years,” Hancock said.
Hancock and Castillo met each other at the 2021 Hawkins-Crutchfield tournament where both their dads also become close. So it was only natural for the two golfers to grow their friendship.
While gradually developing their friendship, both were rising in the ranks. Castillo, 14, has been a rising star in Polk County thanks to her passion for the game and her father, who consistently ensures his daughter is on the course perfecting her craft.
Meanwhile, Hancock is The Ledger’s two-time Player of the Year and a 2023 state champion. She has been a county megastar thanks to her father ensuring that she bolsters her mental and physical game, working out when the opportunity presents itself. Her passion for the game comes from her sister, who was a golfer and played for Lake Nona High School.
Fast forward to now, and both golfers’ passions for the game are expressed on various courses. For Castillo in county, she was able to hit a sandwich 57 yards out for an eagle on the first hole. And on the last three holes, her goal was to execute pars.
Hancock executed six birdies overall. Before the last five holes, she realized she needed to make a move, so she immediately racked up a bogey. On the rest of the holes she was able to relax and play golf. Three of the last five holes she had birdies.
Other top 10 girls’ county golfers were McKeel junior Caroline Dekalb (78), Santa Fe freshman Leonie Tavares (79), McKeel senior Carly McKnight (80), Lakeland sophomore Elizabeth Hall (81), McKeel senior Ava Bustos (85), McKeel freshman Georgia Spence (86), Lakeland Christian junior Annsley Greene (86) and McKeel freshman Diya Kavalackal (87).
McKeel wins another team title
McKeel on Wednesday racked up another team title thanks to a total team effort.
The 2024 county championship solidified the fifth title in head coach Jeremy Bohnenstiehl’s six years.
“It feels incredible. I know the girls played really well. I couldn’t be more proud of them. Had a strong field. There was some good players and teams, so just super proud of how they played,” Bohenenstiehl said.
He was so proud because it was a team effort thanks to four of his golfers placing in the top 10. McKnight, McKeel’s No.5 golfer, managed three birdies in a row to end the back nine. On her front nine, she put up eight straight pars.
DeKalb, the No. 3 golfer, placed second with a 78.
“Those two kind of carried the team. Very proud of all the girls,” he said.
Other Polk County teams rounding out the top five were Frostproof, Lakeland, Lakeland Christian and Santa Fe Catholic.
Monteleone dominates once more
On the boys’ side, Anthony Monteleone, the No. 4 Florida high school golfer and The Ledger’s two-time Golfer of the Year, racked up another county championship thanks to a 70.
Other Polk County golfers in the top 10 were George Jenkins sophomore Andrew Sagnella (74), Lakeland Christian senior Gray Ottman (75), Winter Haven senior James Aguilar (75), All Saints Academy freshman Alex Kruschwitz (76), All Saints sophomore Barrett Green (77), McKeel junior Brock Spurgeon (78), Winter Haven junior Tyler Loftus (78), McKeel senior Samuel Pell (78) and Lakeland Christian senior Gabe Harrison (78).
Team wise Winter Haven won another county title, with George Jenkins, Lakeland Christian, All Saints and McKeel rounding out the top five.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Polk County high school golf: County meet sees split girls title, repeat boys winner
