HOWEY-IN-THE-HLLS — Jupiter boys golf, ranked No. 2 nationally per iWanamaker, withdrew two of its golfers halfway through playing in the state championship this week, ending any hope for a state title.
Jupiter entered the Class 3A state championship as one of the tournament’s favorites and were in second place after the first day of play.
However, the Warriors started Wednesday’s second round with only three of five golfers on the course at Mission Inn Resort + Club, dashing hopes of a state championship in 2024.
Jupiter golfers Talan Wilkes and Cameron Kuchar, son of nine-time PGA Tour winning golfer Matt Kuchar, were each absent from the score-sheet on the second day of the tournament. Jupiter head coach Bruce Wasserman said “non-course incidents” forced the players’ withdrawals.
“Breaking rules of the state honor code for golf, for non-course stuff, is all I can really say,” Wasserman said.
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Florida High School Athletic Association golf administrator Ed Thompson clarified that the two golfers were not disqualified; rather, they were withdrawn by Jupiter.
“WD” is listed next to both Wilkes and Kuchar’s names on the FHSAA scoring sheet.
“We were disqualified as a team because we only had three guys left, but the three guys, it was a great day with what they did,” said Wasserman, who became emotional discussing the circumstances. “From the start of this year, we knew we had the talent. We set out to win a state championship. We get here, we’re in position, and then this happens. It was devastating to them and emotional for all of us.”
After commending the efforts of his remaining players, Wasserman indicated that at full strength, his program might have won it all.
“Reasonably sure, if we would have had our full squad, we would have walked away with the title,” he said. “It’s tough. It’s a learning lesson for all of us. In the end, we had a fantastic season. We won a huge tournament in Orlando, we won districts, we won regionals, and things happen. That’s sports. That’s life. You’re not going to see a team as strong as this team, ever. But decisions, you know?”
Jupiter’s Hampton Beebe shot a 144, tying for the fifth-best individual score to achieve a medallion at tournament’s end.
“We did come a long way this year,” Beebe said. “This place is not easy. I’m proud of how I finished.”
Brayden Jenard shot a 145, the eight-best mark, while Tristan Wieland wasn’t far behind with a 147, good for tenth place in the tournament.
In the wake of Jupiter’s ineligibility to compete as a group of give golfers, Viera took first place in the state championship, flanked by Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton) and Ponte Vedra.
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Wylie Inman shot a 146, including two birdies on the back nine to crack the top 10 with a stellar performance for the Panthers, who finished sixth place overall in the tournament.
William Cui shot a 149 as a freshman. Notably, he shot par on every hole on the second day.
Alex Peterman covers high school sports for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at apeterman@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jupiter withdraws two players, including Cameron Kuchar, at state golf
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