By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
Alamance Christian School won a state championship in golf in the spring. That could be just the beginning of the good news for the Warriors.
“We’re extremely young,” coach Scott Yakola said. “We’ve got some depth.”
ACS won the North Carolina Christian School Association championship on its home course at Mill Creek Golf Club in Mebane.
The Warriors had a team score of 343, with runner-up Tabernacle Hickory at 363.
Holden Yakola, a freshman and the coach’s son, shot 82 to place fourth and teammate Trevor Fowler tied for sixth with 85. Yakola and Garrett Brown, who tied for 10th in the states with 88, were selected for the all-state team based on season-long results. Fowler and teammates Tristan Bellman and Owen Anderson were recognized on the All-East Region team.
ACS moved up from third place in 2021 and second place in 2022. The 2023 title marked the ninth state golf championship for ACS.
“These are the same kids as last year,” Coach Yakola said. “Those kids played well enough to do what they did.”
The latest edition of the Warriors was comprised of two sophomores, three freshmen and two middle schoolers, who are permitted to play in NCCSA competitions. Yakola’s 37.6 stroke average for nine holes led the team, while the Warriors’ fifth golfer averaged 44.
“They’re all really supportive of each other,” Coach Yakola said.
ACS posted a regular-season record of 18-4.
The Warriors have been active on youth circuits in recent months.
Yakola won the U.S. Kids Piedmont event at Forest Oaks Country Club in Greensboro and placed second at the U.S. Kids Piedmont Triad Spring Tour Championship at Oak Hollow Golf Course in High Point. He also took part in the U.S. Junior qualifier at Williamsburg National in Virginia.
Fowler is the points leader in the U.S. Kids Piedmont Triad Tour in the 13-14-year-old division. Anderson also has been playing in junior tournaments.
