2026 State Golf Feature: Lynchburg-Clay boys golf returning to state with high goals and higher focus

Qualifying for state in any sport as a team is not an easy accomplishment, but qualifying for the 2026 OHSAA Division II State Golf Tournament for a second consecutive season in a team sport where an individual performance is key to success is possibly even tougher, with the event being held at the Firestone Country Club on Oct. 11 and 12. 

Being two-time consecutive state qualifiers is exactly what the Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs boys golf team has accomplished, and gaining the experience last year has propelled the Mustangs to even greater success and higher goals in ’26. 

The Mustangs — who are coached by James Walker — have a team consisting of six golfers who will be playing at state this weekend (Sunday and Monday), and they are Austin Manning, Kristian Beachy, Carson Pfister, Nolan Wilkin, Aiden Bene and Jackson West. 

This season, the Mustangs dominated the competition in ’26 with having the Southern Hills Athletic Conference Player of the Year (Wilkin), along with being the SHAC champions, sectional champions and district champions. 

“While we return the same core group from last year, their evolution has been remarkable,” Walker said. “They have grown tremendously — not only in their skill and course management, but in their maturity as young men.”

Coach Walker — who has coached the Mustangs for six years — also spoke about not only the success of the Mustangs on the links, but about their sportsmanship and the program philosophy. 

“I am incredibly proud of their focus and resilience. Out of more than 150 opposing teams across matches and tournaments this season, they have only lost once,” he said. “Our program philosophy is to win like champions and lose like champions. After their sole loss to Westfall, the boys were disappointed, but without hesitation, they followed me line-for-line to shake every opponent's and coach's hand with total respect. 

“Winning is fantastic, but above all else, we prefer to be judged by our character and sportsmanship.”

A difference from the ’25 state-qualifying team and this season — all the same golfers — according to Walker is the “mindset. 

“While the roster remains unchanged since we didn't graduate any seniors last year, the mindset is entirely different. This team is laser-focused, experienced and extremely goal-oriented entering the tournament,” Walker said.

Now for the golfers on the links, the six-man team is looking forward to playing at the Firestone golf course in Akron and for the opportunity to compete against the best of the best in the state. 
Wilkin, the SHAC Player of the Year, has played golf for most of his life, since he was 6 or 7 years old.

“The first thing that drew me to the sport was someone giving me a set of golf clubs. I went out and hit them every day,” Wilkin said. “This season, my best golf round this year had to have been the final day at SHAC. I shot 34 and hit one fairway and two greens, but managed to pull off a great score and win player of the year.”

Wilkin also spoke about the game itself and why he likes playing the sport. 

“My favorite part of golf is all the different ways to play it. There's so many variations, and you can play recreationally and competitively. I also like golf because you can always continue to get better,” Wilkin said. 

Coach Walker said the following about Wilkin. 

“Nolan Wilkin, a junior and the SHAC Player of the Year, has been a key driver for the team's success. After shooting a 34 at the SHAC final day, he is averaging 36.8 and has consistently demonstrated exceptional discipline, leadership and skill on the course,” Walker said. 

Manning has played golf for nearly two years now, picking up the sport he joined playing the game with his friends, while also discussing what his favorite moments and best score of the season have been. 

“I have been playing golf for about a year and a half now. What drew me to the sport was the friends that I knew played,” Manning said. “I saw the connections and the experiences they were having, and I really wanted to be a part of it.

“My best score in a match this year has been a 39, but my favorite match was our senior night because it was the last time I could play with my good friends in a match,” Manning said. “My favorite part honestly is the grind. I love being able to push myself and putting in the work to improve. Also, being around these people and building lifelong friendships has definitely made me want to keep playing.”

Coach Walker praised Manning as a “naturally gifted athlete.

“Austin is a naturally gifted, goal-oriented athlete and SHAC All-League honoree who didn't pick up a club until late in his sophomore year,” Walker said. “Encouraged by his close friends on the team, he gave it a shot and was immediately hooked. His work ethic is extraordinary — working as a cart attendant at the local course, he spends all day there, working mornings, playing and returning for evening shifts. Now a second-year player making his second state appearance, his dedication will be tough to replace.”

As for Beachy, he began hitting the links at the age of 3, but he also said he was more serious about the sport when he entered the eighth grade. 

“I have played golf since I was 3, but really got into it when I was in eighth grade. Ever since I was little, I have played with my dad, and he was a big part of me getting into golf,” Beachy said. 

Beachy also gave his thoughts on his best round of the season and why he continues to play the sport throughout the years. 

“My best round this year was at Snow Hill when I shot 1-under-34. This round was good all around, every club felt good off the face, and I got to play with Bob [Bene], so it was even more fun,” Beachy said. “Although I do love the feeling of shooting a good round, I think the main reason I stuck to golf and my favorite part of golf is the guys I do it with. Getting to play the game I love and hang out with some of my best friends is a win-win.”

Walker said Beachy has grown into “a remarkable golfer.”

“Kristian (38.8 average), known as ‘Ted,’ is a third-year junior and SHAC All-League recipient, and is an exceptionally long hitter,” Walker said. “Beyond his power on the course, Kristian has grown into a remarkable golfer and an even finer young man. Though naturally a man of few words, he has really opened up this season, actively asking questions, absorbing every bit of advice and embracing his development with great intent.”

Pfister has played golf for over a half decade, saying he started in the sport six years ago, as he, like others on his team, learned from his dad. 

“I started playing golf around six years ago, and my interest came from my dad, who has golfed for probably 20 years or more,” Pfister said. “Golf was always in our family, so I grew up around it and like it.”

Pfister also spoke about his best round of the season, even if it wasn't his best overall score. 

“My best round this year was our senior night. It wasn’t my best score, but it was a time of reflection and appreciation for the game of golf,” Pfister said. “I have experienced many highs and lows, so to have a chance to appreciate the guys with whom I did it for years in a row was awesome.

“My favorite part of this game is that it truly makes you a better person. It’s humbling, sometimes painful and definitely a mental hardship, but golf is also the opportunity to be a more patient person, a problem solver and an optimist. I’ve learned over the years that the principles that keep my golf game in check apply to my daily life as well.”

Golf is also more than just a sport for Pfister, as he uses it to relax and to reflect on everyday life. 

“I keep on playing because golf is my safe place. If I have a bad day, I go out and hit some balls. If I have a good day, I go out and play a round,” he said. “This sport has been a major factor in who I am today, and there is something special about that.”

The LCHS head coach Walker said the following about Pfister and what he brings to the team. 

“Carson Pfister is a four-year player who has always been incredibly supportive of his team. Throughout his career, he faced some struggles, but he always finds a way to dig deep and make the best of it,” Walker said. “The mental toughness that this kid has is incredible. He will be playing in the round on Sunday, marking his first time participating in the state golf tournament.”

Bene has played the sport for four years now, and since starting when he entered high school he began to take to the sport more than ever, though he learned the sport from his grandpa. Bene also talked about some of the top moments from the season. 

“I have been playing for four years. I started the summer of my freshman year. What drew me to golf is going to the driving range with my grandpa,” Bene said. “He always played, but I never got to play with him.

“My best round and match this season was at Hilltop Country Club, where I shot a 35 to win medalist, and it really got me going for the season. With that, my favorite part of the sport of golf is progression. Any day you wake up, you can get better. It’s kept me driving toward my main goal of playing college golf or a degree, as I’ll use lessons from the sport in the real world.

“My biggest moment of the season was chipping in at districts to take the lead on Westfall on the 15th hole.”

Walker said Bene brought a "relentless work ethic” to the golf team.

“Aiden, known as ‘Bob,’ is a four-year player and an All-League selection in the SHAC this year who came into the program with very little golf experience, but brought a relentless basketball work ethic,” Walker stated. “Where a basketball player puts up 100 shots a day, Aiden was playing what felt like 100 holes a day. He set a new standard for LC golf, and that’s if you want to be better, put in the work. His drive and leadership will be deeply missed next season.”

West has also played golf for four years, and he too began while in middle school in the eighth grade. 

“I have been playing golf for four years. I started playing my eighth grade year. Nothing really drew me to golf. I just started playing with my dad here and there,” West said. “My favorite part of golf is getting to swing the golf club. I have continued to play golf because I enjoy it and I believe I can play in college.”

West also spoke about some big moments from the season. 

“My best golf round was at the Adena Invitational where I shot a 70. I feel the reason I shot that low was because my mind was calm the whole time,” West said. 

Walker spoke highly of West when discussing his team.

“Jackson West (38.2 average) is a third-year junior, brings valuable prior tournament experience and holds himself to remarkably high personal expectations,” Walker said. “He is known for his excellent ball striking and short game. He has been a consistent key contributor to our team's performance throughout the season.”

As serious as the team is on the golf course, they like to have fun when the winning is complete and it is time to relax, and their post-match celebrations include their favorite drink, an ice-cold Mountain Dew. 

“The post-match celebration with Mountain Dew started organically with senior Aiden Bene, our resident Mountain Dew enthusiast,” Walker said. “The rest of the team completely bought in, turning it into a fun tradition and motivation tool — whenever someone earns medalist honors, they are awarded the 'Mountain Dew Player of the Match.'”

The team also spoke about the differences from last season to this season. 

“I feel like last year we squeaked in, but this year, it was almost an expectation to make it, and I think that actually made us play better,” Wilkin said. “The whole team has put in the work the entire year, and that's what separated us from last year. Last year it was more of a motivation-type workload, this year it was a discipline-type workload.”

Manning spoke about the differences from the ’25 to ’26 season. 

“Last season it felt more as a surprise when we made it to state, but this year it has felt more like an expectation, and I feel that it has driven us to become better, which gives us a better chance at winning,” Manning said. 

Beachy gave his thoughts on the differences in being state qualifiers from ’25 to ’26. 

“I think last year may have been a surprise to some people when we went as far as we did, but this year, every team knew about the smallest school in Div. II and how good we were,” Beachy said. “State last year was all about experiencing the highest level of high school golf, but this year it’s about finishing in the Top 5.” 

Pfister has seen the difference in the team this season when comparing it to the ’25 team. 

“The differences I see this year in comparison to qualifying for state is that there is a different dynamic to the group of guys. We have a sense of now or never while still being the ‘foolish’ kids we are,” Pfister said. “We recognize that for some of us, this is our last year to win it all, and that set off a fire in some of us. 

“My biggest moments of this season haven’t really been score-related. Most of the success I’ve found this year has been seeing my friends go out and tear it up. I am blessed to play alongside these men, and after four years, I’m proud of what we built. I would say my commitment to this team through thick and thin is my greatest accomplishment.”

The team also gave their thoughts on some big moments this season and what they are looking forward to this Sunday and Monday, while also saying thank you to their friends, family and community for their support along the way. 

“I'd say winning sectionals and districts is a big one,” Wilkin said. “That's something we've been trying to do for years, and we finally got it done. The main thing I'm looking forward to is the experience. Firestone has had a lot of historic golf moments that are well known. Getting to go to the place where that all happened is something I look forward to.”

Manning also talked about the biggest moments of the season. 

“My personal biggest moment was being a top 10 (ninth overall) player in SHAC. That was a goal that I set for myself before the season started, and I pushed myself to accomplish that,” Manning said. “I’m looking forward to giving it my all and having one last time to have fun with all of my guys (at state).” 

Beachy looked back fondly on his best individual moment of the season and what he is looking forward to the most when golfing at state in ’26.

“Being medalist at the Lynchburg-Clay Invitational at Snow Hill
with a 1-under-34 round at Snow Hill was a big moment, and making countless memories with the guys,” Beachy said. “I’m personally looking forward to seeing the beauty of Firestone and seeing how low the team can go. I think we have a real chance to get around the Top 3 if we play our best.”

Coach Walker has been at the helm of the Mustangs’ recent success of being state qualifiers, and he gave praise to past players while also talking about the current roster and their success the past couple seasons. 

“Historically, Lynchburg-Clay had never sent a full team to the state tournament prior to this group, with our only major state accolade being Per Ola Dahlman's individual Class A title in 1984,” he said. “This special group of young men has transformed the culture, establishing a goal-oriented standard of excellence. I am extraordinarily proud of every single one of these boys, and while I will deeply miss our seniors in the years ahead, coaching them has been an incredible privilege.”

Pfister knows what is at stake in the upcoming state event and is prepared to take on the course at Akron.

“What I look forward to most about this year’s state run is that it’s the final match I get to play with this team,” Pfister said. “We have come so far in the past four years, and I truly cherish the times we had. Although coming home with the state title would be awesome, I’m more excited to spend this time with my team.”

Bene also talked about what he’s looking forward to the most playing in Akron in the final tournament of the season. 

“I’m looking forward to playing on the highest stage in front of our friends and family,” Bene said. “The experience is always great, and just being around my best buddies for a couple days to wrap up my high school golf career is the ideal ending to a great four years.”

West said this year being state qualifiers was an "expectation," while last season it was a “goal.”

“This season it was an expectation, and last season it was a goal,” West said. “Some of my biggest moments have been shooting a 70 and beating Westfall at districts. The thing I am looking forward to the most is getting to play Firestone and improving the place we had compared to last year.”

Walker had some final comments before his team takes part and competes in Akron at the Firestone Golf Course on Sunday and Monday. 

“We are a program that never puts a ceiling on our goals — we are always chasing, always striving to be better than we were yesterday. Last year, our goal was simply to make it to state, which was an unforgettable and amazing moment when we achieved it,” he said. “This year, our goal isn't just to qualify, it's to go compete and bring home a state title.”