Baylor Touchstone Claims 69th Divot Derby Crown

Touchstone’s Comeback Victory

After missing six weeks with a broken wrist, Baylor Touchstone returned to the tees in June and quickly proved he could still compete at the highest level. The Tate rising senior started the final round with a three‑stroke deficit, then tied the leaderboard with Rocky Bayou Christian’s Aiden Yang before the back nine. Touchstone’s resilience shone through as he closed with a 77, securing a two‑stroke win and clenching back‑to‑back titles at the 69th Divot Derby.

Touchstone shot a 75 in the first round at Cypress Lakes Golf Club, matching Yang for the lead, then followed with a 70 at Perdido Bay Golf Club. His ability to bounce back from early‑round struggles—bogeying three front‑nine holes—was a hallmark of his performance. “I just told myself to shake it off,” Touchstone said, emphasizing the mental toughness required to keep fighting.

Race for the Title

The Divot Derby tests golfers with three different courses over three days, making consistency as rare as it is valuable. Touchstone’s final‑day 77 included a critical 12th‑hole surge where he out‑scored Yang after the latter’s quadruple bogey. This victory placed Touchstone in elite company; past winners include majors champions Jerry Pate and Bubba Watson, and Heath Slocum, who captured back‑to‑back titles in 1990‑91.

Looking ahead, Touchstone plans to compete in one or two more summer events before the high school season kicks off on August 17. His recent win adds to a season that already featured a district title and a third‑place finish for the Aggies. “We have an even better squad than last year,” he said, signaling confidence for the upcoming campaign.

Girls Winner Takes the Crown

Niceville’s rising junior Tenley Sharron dominated the women’s field, coasting to a seven‑stroke victory over Gulf Breeze’s Michelle Burt with a final‑round 73. Sharron entered the last round with a nine‑shot cushion, yet she chose to stay engaged, firing a one‑under 35 on the back nine.

Sharron led after every round, posting a 71 at Cypress Lakes and a 74 at Perdido Bay. Golf runs deep in her family; her father, grandfather, and uncle all competed in the event but never claimed the title, making her back‑to‑back win especially personal.

Legacy and Future Outlook

Winning the Divot Derby is more than a trophy; it signals a path toward major‑amateur success. Touchstone’s back‑to‑back triumph mirrors the early careers of past stars who used the exposure to launch professional journeys. As he prepares for upcoming tournaments at Trump‑Doral and Emerald Coast events, his confidence—backed by a solid team—suggests the Aggies could challenge for state honors.

Sharron, meanwhile, will transition quickly into the high school season after her repeat title, aiming to build on last fall’s district runner‑up performance. Both champions illustrate how regional events can serve as launching pads for larger ambitions, adding excitement to the upcoming golf calendar.