The April 16 tri-meet among the Sussex Central, Sussex Academy and Cape Henlopen golf teams had some special elements to it besides the sunny and pleasant weather conditions and the fact that many of these players are friends.

Led by 2025 DIAA state champion Jake Hollerback, the Golden Knights eked out a 156-157 victory over the Vikings, while also defeating the Seahawks 156-168 at Kings Creek Country Club.

The club helpfully stepped in as Cape’s host course because Rehoboth Beach CC was unavailable.

Hollerback’s even-par 36 on the back nine earned medalist honors. Trevor Clarke shot 37, with Noah Jones contributing a 40. Joseph Neumann and Ryan Orth tied for fourth best among Sussex Central’s squad with a pair of 43s.

Ryan McNett’s 37 led the Vikings, followed by Chad Hughey’s 38 and Kingston Davis’s 39. Cameron Hartstein completed the Cape line with his 43.

Last year’s Henlopen Conference winners did not go this low until May. The Vikings coaches took this as a good sign despite the loss.

Nicholas DeEmedio shot a 39 for Sussex Academy, joined with Jordan Green’s 42, Bodhin Williams’ 43 and Ryan Kline’s 44.

The Vikings felt a little snake-bit as once again an opponent chose the Cape match to post a great round. Jones’ 40 was 11 strokes lower than his three prior starts for the Golden Knights.

This could also explain why the Sussex Central coaches looked a bit stunned by their victory.

McNett’s round included eight pars.

“I just kept it really consistent. Kept it in play, hit a lot of greens, didn’t really miss anything, just didn’t make any birdie putts,” he said. “The one bogey on 12, I left it out a little bit toward the left side and had a really short-sided chip that I couldn’t get up and down.”

Hughey said, “Had a little rough start, three over through the first two holes. Was able to bring it back and finished two over. I had a lot of great up and downs today, mostly just good decision-making led to shooting 38.”

The Vikings next traveled to Hooper’s Landing Golf Course April 21 for a tri-match against Laurel and Polytech, and won both matches. Cape’s 165 overcame Polytech’s 191 and Laurel’s 230 total.

Hughey led Cape as medalist with his three-over par 39. He also medaled at Hooper’s last season against Delmar.

Sophomore Ethan James posted a 40 in his second varsity match, a 10-stroke improvement over his April 16 match at Rehoboth Beach CC. Fellow sophomore Jack Tunnell’s 41 was his best score thus far for 2026. Davis and Cooper Forcucci tied for fourth best among the Cape golfers with a pair of 45s.

The Vikings’ next match was scheduled for April 23 against Indian River High at Bear Trap Dunes in Ocean View, the Indians’ home course.

Sussex Academy match woes continue

After the April 16 double loss to Sussex Central and Cape Henlopen, Sussex Academy traveled north April 20 to Rock Manor Golf Club in Wilmington to face the undefeated Salesianum squad.

The phrase “frying pan into the fire” comes to mind.

All four of Sallies’ scorers posted rounds in the 30s, led by medalist Grant Burkhart’s one-under par 35, for a 148-161 victory over the Seahawks.

DeEmedio led the Seahawks with his 38. Ryan Dostal, Kline and Williams all shot 41s to finish the day for the Seahawks.

The next match for Sussex Academy was scheduled for April 23, an away match against Caesar Rodney at Wild Quail Golf & Country Club near Dover.

Royals face stiff competition

The Delmarva Christian School Royals split the results of the tri-match they hosted at Baywood Greens April 20. Led by Avery McCoy’s 45, the Georgetown school defeated MOT Charter 195-217, and just barely lost to Lake Forest 192-195.

Lake Forest senior Bradley Jackson won medalist honors with his 42, with MOT’s Jacob Denver’s 51 the best score for the Mustangs.

The Royals’ Donavan Balback, Nicholas Gipko and Elvis Millaway completed the Royals scoring, each posting 50 for the round. Head coach Ray Davis said, “We didn’t have our best stuff in tough conditions, but we competed well and split the match against two strong teams. We are going to get some good practice in and prepare for the next one.”

The Royals hosted another tri-meet April 22 at Baywood, this time against Archmere Academy and the Sanford School. The Auks defeated DCS 147-186 and Sanford 147-182, with Sanford squeaking past the Royals 182-186.

Archmere’s Hannah Webb won medalist honors with a four-under par 32. McCoy’s 43 was best for the Royals, while Colin Burke and Colby Moran tied for Sanford’s best with a pair of 42s.

Local club competition results

The Mulligan’s Pointe Ladies played a Low Gross/Low Net game April 21.

Sue Brady won first-place gross in the first flight, with Wendy Michaelson taking second. Susan Shockley won first gross in the second flight, followed by Jackie Adams in second.

Kay Monack won first-place net in the first flight, with Penne Hope in second. Kathy Hudak won first net for the second flight, followed by Jackie Chernuta in second.