Wynford Golf Stars Dominate HOJGA Tournaments

Kings Mill July 9 Showdown

Clay Rogers and Caroline Sheldon returned home with trophies after the Heart of Ohio Junior Golf Association stopped at Kings Mill Golf Course in Waldo on July 9, 2026. Rogers posted a 2‑over‑par 72 to win the boys 16‑to‑18 division, while Sheldon carded an 85 for the girls 13‑to‑18 title. The win marked Rogers’ fourth victory in six HOJGA events this year and gave Sheldon her second career HOJGA win.

Sheldon praised the variety of courses she’s tackling this summer. “I’m mostly working on my game and playing different courses rather than my home course,” she said of her summertime mindset. “My home course is Bucyrus, so it’s getting a different approach. This course is a lot tighter than Bucyrus, so that’s what led me to try out new courses for when the season does come and I have to overcome those.”

Rogers credited his equipment changes and the competitive pressure of winning. “My wedges (are working), and I got a new putter. Everything has been working pretty well,” he said. “(Winning) helps a lot with confidence moving into the season, playing in competitive things against other kids who might be a little better competition than your typical high school match.”

Full Field Results

Behind Rogers, Colonel Crawford’s Bryant Berry finished second with a 76, followed by Olentangy’s Blake Gibson (77), Galion’s Cullen Hart (78) and Olentangy’s Eli Meranda (79). In the girls race, Olentangy’s Olivia Ross placed second with a 90, Leah McDowell took 94, Pleasant’s Emery Gorenflo and Upper Sandusky’s Cecelia Alspach both shot 99, and Charlotte Turay of Delaware Hayes and Upper Sandusky’s Rylee Williams recorded 100s.

Other age groups delivered strong performances. North Union’s Alex Jolliff won the boys 13‑to‑15 bracket with a 75, while Pleasant’s Jaxon Sigalet was next at 80. Marysville’s Bryce Bolenbaugh captured the 9‑hole, 12‑and‑under title with a 41. A total of 69 golfers competed across the four divisions at Kings Mill.

Looking Ahead to July 13 Valley View

The HOJGA season continues on July 13 at Valley View Golf Course near Galion, giving players another chance to qualify for age‑division championships and the scholarship money that comes with them. For now, both Rogers and Sheldon are optimistic about the high‑school campaign ahead, noting the confidence boost from their recent victories.

Sheldon reflected on last year’s state performance, where she helped the Royals finish 10th as a team and placed 18th individually in the Division II girls tournament. “I’m excited for our team. I love playing with all my teammates. We’re pretty good,” she said, adding that only one senior departed the lineup.

Why HOJGA Matters for 2026

HOJGA events serve as critical preparation for the fall high‑school season, offering competitive play on varied courses and a pathway to age‑division titles and scholarships. The series also showcases emerging talent, such as Rogers and Sheldon, who are already positioning themselves as title contenders for the 2026 campaign.

With six tournaments slated for the year, players like Rogers aim to lock down the age‑division championship early. “I always want to win. I always love to win,” Rogers said. “It’s important. It’s my goal to play in college. Winning scholarship money helps for the future.”