As the 2026–2027 high school golf season approaches, several players across Leon County are set to make an impact once competition begins at the start of the school year. For this preview, Tallahassee Reports has selected five boys and five girls to watch this season, highlighting a mix of returning standouts and consistent performers, who are expected to shape the local leaderboard throughout the year. This preview does not factor in incoming freshmen, with all selections based on performances during the 2025–2026 high school golf season.
Boys
Hunter Glantz – Florida High
Florida High sophomore Hunter Glantz emerged as one of the area’s top golfers during his freshman campaign and enters the 2026–2027 season with significant momentum. Glantz captured the 2025 Tallahassee City Championship after winning a playoff at Hilaman Golf Course, shooting a 71 (-1) in one of the few 18-hole events on the schedule. He finished the year with a 9-hole iWR of .458 and an 18-hole iWR of 1.016, the second-best combined marks in Leon County behind only Alex Parker. Glantz also posted scoring averages of 36.7 over nine holes and 73.3 over 18 holes.
His freshman season concluded with a 42nd-place finish at the state tournament with a two-round score of 145 (+10). With another year of experience and one of the strongest statistical resumes among returning players, Glantz enters the season with a good chance to finish at the top.
Rhys Cochran – Chiles
Chiles junior Rhys Cochran returns after a productive sophomore season that established him as a consistent presence near the top of local leaderboards. Cochran recorded a 9-hole iWR of .313 across 23 events and an 18-hole iWR of 2.146 in six tournaments, finishing with a combined iWR of 2.459. He also averaged 36.7 strokes in 9-hole competitions and 75.2 in 18-hole events.
One of his most impressive performances came against Wakulla and Florida High at Wakulla Sands Golf Club, where he earned a first-place finish after shooting a 32 (-4). Cochran also gained valuable postseason experience at the state tournament, finishing tied for 21st with a score of 161 (+17). Entering his junior season, he has the experience and scoring ability to play a major role in Chiles’ success.
Chase Fleischer – Lincoln
Lincoln senior Chase Fleischer enters his final high school season after posting strong numbers throughout the 2025–2026 campaign. Fleischer finished with a 9-hole iWR of 1.517 across 20 events and an 18-hole iWR of 2.172 in six tournaments, while averaging 37.8 strokes over nine holes and 74.5 over 18 holes. One of his standout moments came at the district championship, where he won first place after shooting an even-par 72 at Wakulla Sands Golf Club and forced a playoff with Santa Fe’s Trent Spires.
Although he fell short in the playoff, his performance helped Lincoln secure a third-place team finish. Fleischer later tied for 21st at the state tournament with a two-round score of 155 (+11). As one of the most experienced returning golfers in the county, he will be a key piece for a Lincoln squad looking to remain at the top of Leon County after losing four out of their five starting golfers from Last Season.
Brody Mitchell – Maclay
Maclay Junior Brody Mitchell enters the 2026–2027 season after posting a strong 2025–2026 campaign and delivering several notable performances in postseason competition. Mitchell finished the year with a 9-hole iWR of 2.154 and an 18-hole iWR of 3.911.
One of his top performances came at the FHSAA 1A District Tournament at Quail Heights Country Club, where he placed second with a round of 73 (+2). He followed that effort with a 12th-place finish at the 1A Regional Tournament at Pensacola Country Club after shooting a 75 (+3). With postseason experience and a proven ability to score in high-pressure events, Mitchell returns as a key piece for a Maclay program that will look to remain among the area’s top teams this season.
Solomon Hardy – Leon
Leon junior Solomon Hardy returns as a player to watch after producing several strong performances during the 2025–2026 season. Hardy finished with a 9-hole iWR of 2.433 and an 18-hole iWR of 8.196.
One of his top outings came in a four-team match at SouthWood Golf Club, where he earned a first-place finish after shooting a 37 (+1) against Florida High, St. John Paul II, and Community Christian School. Hardy also gained postseason experience at the 3A District Tournament, carding an 82 (+10) to finish 16th. Hardy enters the upcoming season poised to play a key role as Leon looks to compete with the top programs in Leon County.
Girls
Peyton Johnson – Florida High
Florida High’s Peyton Johnson once again established herself as the top girls golfer in Leon County during the 2025–2026 season, leading the area in nearly every major statistical category. Johnson posted a 9-hole iWR of .074 across 21 events and an 18-hole iWR of -.947 in five events, both of which ranked first among all Leon County girls golfers. She also finished with the lowest scoring averages in the county, recording a 35.0 over 9 holes and a 69.0 over 18 holes.
Johnson consistently produced top finishes throughout the season, including a dominant win at the Big Bend Ladies Tournament at the Golf Club of Quincy, where she shot a 68 (-5) to take first place in the 18-hole event. She closed her season with a runner-up finish at the 1A FHSAA state tournament, finishing at 137 (-5) across two rounds.
Mollie Sprague – Maclay
Maclay’s Mollie Sprague returns as one of the most consistent scorers in the area after a steady 2025–2026 season. Sprague recorded a 9-hole iWR of 5.572 through 23 events and an 18-hole iWR of 12.209 in six events, along with scoring averages of 40.5 over 9 hole rounds and 82.7 over 18 hole rounds.
She delivered several strong finishes during the season, including a first-place showing against Wakulla and Franklin County at Wakulla Sands Golf Course after shooting a 36 (E) in a 9-hole event. Sprague also gained postseason experience at the 1A FHSAA state tournament, where she finished 64th with a two-round total of 163 (+21). With her volume of competitive rounds and steady scoring baseline, Sprague returns as a key player capable of moving up the leaderboard this season.
Liza Baker Wright – Chiles
Chiles’ Liza Baker Wright heads into the 2026–2027 season coming off a strong sophomore year marked by steady improvement and competitive finishes. Wright posted a 9-hole iWR of 6.433 across 19 events and an 18-hole iWR of 13.372 in four events, along with scoring averages of 41.9 over 9 holes and 83 over 18 holes.
She produced her best result in a triangular matchup against Lincoln and Leon at Hilaman Golf Course, finishing first after a 43 (+7) in 9 holes. Wright returns with the potential to help lead the Timberwolves into more favorable positions as a team during competitive tournaments.
Trisha Patel – Maclay
Maclay’s Trisha Patel showed immediate competitiveness in her Freshman season and enters 2026–2027 with significant upside. Patel posted a 9-hole iWR of 7.800 through 23 events and an 18-hole iWR of 16.327 in six events, along with scoring averages of 42.8 over 9 holes and 87 over 18 holes.
One of her strongest outings came at Hilaman Golf Course against Florida High and Chiles, where she placed second behind Peyton Johnson after shooting a 39 (+3). Patel also gained valuable postseason experience at the 1A FHSAA state tournament, finishing 68th with a 169 (+23). With a full varsity season now behind her, Patel returns as a young player with room to develop into a top-tier scorer.
Tessa Cooper – Maclay
Maclay’s Tessa Cooper rounds out the group of returning players to watch heading into the 2026–2027 season after a year of steady contributions in the lineup. Cooper finished the 2025–2026 season with a 9-hole iWR of 8.642 across 23 events and an 18-hole iWR of 16.775 in six events, along with scoring averages of 43.9 over 9 holes and 87.5 over 18 holes.
She delivered a notable performance in a matchup against Florida High and Chiles at the Golf Club of Quincy, finishing second with a 37 (E) in a 9-hole event. Cooper also competed at the state level, placing 79th with a two-round total of 177. Cooper will have an opportunity to play a significant role in Maclay’s lineup next season as the Marauders pursue a championship run with all five starters returning from last year’s team.
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