Low numbers have often been the case for Frostproof eighth-grade golfer Jordan Castillo in 2025, thanks to his relationship with his sister, Frostproof sophomore golfer Hannah Castillo.
Hannah has also been one of the premier golfers in Polk County, as she won the Crutchfield-Hawkins tournament earlier this year. Well, their inseparable relationship has galvanized the program, leading Frostproof to a historic feat. Last Friday at the Quail Heights Country Club, Frostproof won the Class 1A Public School Championship.
At Pinecrest Golf Club on Lotela in Avon Park, Frostproof came up victorious in the FHSAA Class 1A District 9 Boys Tournament on Monday.
It’s been that kind of season for Frostproof golf. The Bulldogs had their best team round of the season thanks to a 298 total in the public championship. Everyone was in the 70s, thus making it a total team effort to win.
“Frostproof lost in a playoff hole last year, (so) it was bittersweet to go and get it done this year,” Frostproof boys golf coach Karen Bolin said.
Jordan placed second last year but won the tournament this year, shooting a 1-under 70 with four birdies and 11 pars. He was leading going into the final two holes, lipping out a par putt on No. 17 for a bogey.
On No. 18, his second shot hit a tree to the right of the green and went in a hazard. So, he had to take a drop and chipped up and executed the putt for par to finish in a tie for first. He made a par on the playoff hole to secure the win.
Freshman Blake Laman finished in eighth with a 75; senior Johnny Skolnik culminated ninth with a 76, and junior Liam McCann ended the day in 12th with a 77 to round out the scoring.
For districts, Frostproof ended up winning by eight strokes with a 316. McCann led the Bulldogs — and the entire tournament — with a round of 75, clinching the low medalist spot. Laman (second) had a solid day with a 77 and placed second. And Jordan Castillo finished sixth with an 81, while senior Ethan Griffiths finished the scoring with a 10th-place finish with an 83.
It’s been two years since Frostproof put up this kind of production in districts, winning it in 2023 before finishing as a runner-up in 2024. But there is no doubt that the work ethic and close-knit relationship has positively impacted the team.
“Jordan and Hannah are no doubt the leaders of our teams and they lead by example with the countless hours and practice they put in,” Bolin said. “They push each other and hold each other accountable as well as their teammates.”
Take for instance newcomer Laman, who has been a solid performer for Frostproof along with the entire group of guys. Together they have battled for spots and pushed each other to get better each day.
“Having that competitive spirit has elevated our work ethic and they are really a great group of young men,” Bolin said. “When one guy is struggling someone else has stepped up and that’s when you know you have a real team.
“I am so proud of our entire golf program. Winning the 1A Public school championship as well as boys/girls both winning districts shows how hard these kids have worked. They are a special group of kids,” Bolin said.
All Saints (2nd), Lakeland Christian (3rd) and Santa Fe Catholic (7th) placed in the top eight.
Individually, All Saints eighth-grader Madden Hahn (2nd, 77), junior All Saints golfer Barrett Green (T-4th, 79), Lakeland Christian sophomore Parker Marshall (T-4th, 79), Lakeland Christian sophomore Kristian Spann (T-6th, 81), and All Saints sophomore Alex Kruschwitz (T-6th, 81) rounded out the top 10.
On the girls side, Frostproof took the team title in the FHSAA Class 1A District 9 Girls Tournament with a 335, while Lakeland Christian (2nd) and All Saints (6th) rounded out the top six.
Hannah Castillo didn’t have her best game at districts this year, but she fought and stayed in the round, executing three birdies in four holes towards the end of the match to help bring her score back down to a 1-over 73. At one point, she was 4-over. Still, overall, she posted four birdies and nine pars. “I’m extremely proud of the team,” Frostproof head girls coach Ashley Castillo said. “They’ve worked really hard this season, putting in a lot of practice. Something I think has helped the team is that we’ve practiced at several golf courses around Highlands County, Pinecrest, Golf Hammock, and our home course, River Greens. We have tremendous support from the community who want junior golf to succeed.”
Here are other golfers who placed in the top 10 in districts: Lakeland senior Annsley Greene (2nd, 82), Frostproof eighth grader Annsley Greene (T-3rd, 83), Lakeland Christian senior Taylor Logan (T-3rd, 83), Frostproof eighth-grader Faith Grant (7th, 87), Frostproof seventh grader Laman (T-8th, 92) and Frostproof eighth-grader Ava Griffiths (T-8th, 92).
Meanwhile in the Class 3A District 8 Boys Tournament on Tuesday at Bartow Golf Course, George Jenkins (321) finished second as a team, Winter Haven (326), Lakeland (335), Bartow (341), Kathleen (351) and Davenport (365) rounded out the top eight.
“We started out cold and in the back of the pack,” Winter Haven head golf coach Charlie James said. “…I’m happy with the way they tried to fight back. … We weren’t happy with our play, but I’m proud of these young men.”
Individually, George Jenkins junior Andrew Sagnella was second with a 75, while Bartow junior Blake Barron (T-3rd, 76), Lakeland senior Will Darby (T-3rd, 76), George Jenkins junior Grayson Abbott (5th, 77), Winter Haven junior Kolton Bruce (6th, 78), Lakeland sophomore Sam Wade (T-7th, 80) and Winter Haven junior Mason Howard Becker (T-7th, 80) placed in the top 10.
Winter Haven (451) was second in the Class 3A, District 8 Girls Tournament, while George Jenkins (451) and Bartow (471) were in the top four.
Winning the tournament was Winter Haven freshman Danica Becker with a 79.
And rounding out the top 10 were Lakeland junior Elizabeth Hall (second, 80), Bartow junior Peyton Attix (fourth, 94), Lakeland senior Madison Templeton (fourth, 94), George Jenkins sophomore Katherine Novotny (seventh, 96), Winter Haven sophomore Kolbie King (ninth, 110), and George Jenkins senior Alexia Marse (10th, 111.
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