Through Two Weeks: Baxter Remains Unbeaten as Greater Lynchburg Golf Season Heats Up

Four events have already produced three different team winners, while Caitlyn Baxter, Conner Lamanna and Nikko Guanzon highlight a fast start to the individual season. More action is scheduled today at Colonial Hills and Winton Farm.

Two weeks into the Greater Lynchburg high school golf season, some early storylines are beginning to take shape — and today's matches offer another opportunity to shake things up.

Amherst County senior Caitlyn Baxter has played her first 45 holes -8 under par, Liberty Christian has demonstrated impressive depth, E.C. Glass has already answered LCA's hot start with a statement victory of its own, and Jefferson Forest senior Conner Lamanna has quietly put together one of the area's most consistent stretches of golf.

And the season is just getting started.

Today's schedule includes more Greater Lynchburg competition at Colonial Hills and Winton Farm, with results expected from area teams later today.

When we have completed scores, Lynchburg Agenda will post the results and incorporate them into Tuesday's newsletter and website.

Baxter Still Hasn't Been Beaten

Baxter has entered three events and walked away with the lowest individual score in all three.

She opened the season with a 2-under-par 70 to win the Raider Invitational at Falling River Country Club, then went even lower three days later with a career-best 5-under 67 to capture the John Scott Memorial at London Downs.

Last Monday, Baxter returned to London Downs for a four-team match hosted by Heritage. Storms shortened the scheduled 18-hole event to nine holes, but Baxter again finished atop the leaderboard with a 1-under 35 that included three birdies.

Her season to date:

Raider Invitational — 70 (-2), 1st
John Scott Memorial — 67 (-5), 1st
Heritage Quad — 35 (-1), 1st

45-hole total: 172 (-8)

Three events. Three medalist performances.

LCA Starts Fast, Glass Answers

Liberty Christian looked dominant during the season's opening week.

The Bulldogs won the Raider Invitational with a four-player score of 309 and followed three days later by shooting 295 to win the John Scott Memorial by 15 shots.

Then came E.C. Glass.

At last Monday's Seminole District match at Ivy Hill Golf Club, the Hilltoppers matched LCA's 295 from the John Scott Memorial and beat Jefferson Forest by 20 shots and LCA by 26.

E.C. Glass' Nikko Guanzon led the way with a 3-under 69, while Preston Laughon shot even-par 72 and John Sorenson added a 73.

Through the first four reported events, Greater Lynchburg has already produced three different team winners:

Liberty Christian — Raider Invitational
Liberty Christian — John Scott Memorial
E.C. Glass — Seminole District match at Ivy Hill
Liberty — Heritage-hosted quad at London Downs

The early message: there may be more parity at the top than the opening week suggested.

Lamanna Keeps Delivering

Jefferson Forest senior Conner Lamanna has yet to post a round higher than 73.

Lamanna opened with an even-par 72 at the Raider Invitational, followed with a 1-over 73 at the John Scott Memorial and then shot a 2-under 70 at Ivy Hill.

His first three rounds: 72 • 73 • 70

That's a 71.7 scoring average over 54 holes and a combined score of 1-under par.

Guanzon Makes His Move

E.C. Glass' Nikko Guanzon has quickly joined the group of golfers to watch.

After shooting a 2-over 74 at the John Scott Memorial, Guanzon broke through with a 3-under 69 at Ivy Hill to earn medalist honors.

His two reported 18-hole rounds give him a 71.5 scoring average, while also providing E.C. Glass with a golfer capable of going low at the top of its lineup.

Stephens Continues Strong Start

Liberty Christian Sophomore Matthew Stephens has also been remarkably steady.

Stephens opened with a 75 at the Raider Invitational, lowered that to 73 at the John Scott Memorial and followed with a 76 at Ivy Hill.

The LCA golfer has now posted three consecutive rounds in the 70s: 75 • 73 • 76

His 74.7 scoring average is accompanied by an even more important contribution: Stephens has been part of an LCA lineup with very little drop-off from one golfer to the next.

Others to Watch

Several other golfers have put together strong early-season performances despite having fewer reported rounds.

Liberty Christian's Dylan Maddox opened the season with consecutive 76s at the Raider Invitational and John Scott Memorial, helping the Bulldogs capture both team championships.

LCA teammate Tanner Hesse made his lone reported appearance count, shooting an even-par 72 at the John Scott Memorial — the third-lowest score in the 14-team field.

E.C. Glass' Preston Laughon has quietly been one of the area's strongest golfers through his first two reported rounds. Laughon shot a 76 at the John Scott Memorial before improving to an even-par 72 at Ivy Hill, giving him a 36-hole total of 148, or 4-over par.

All three are worth watching as additional results begin to fill out the season leaderboard.

Liberty Takes London Downs Quad

While E.C. Glass was winning at Ivy Hill last Monday, another four-team match was taking place at London Downs.

Liberty posted a four-player score of 174 over nine holes to edge Rustburg by two shots.

Team Results

1. Liberty — 174
2. Rustburg — 176
3. Amherst County — 183
4. Heritage — 207

Baxter's 35 was the individual low round, followed by Liberty's Jayce Macaioni at 37 and Rustburg's C.J. Jones and Landon Lewis at 40.

⛳ Season So Far

Four reported events have already created several storylines worth following:

Baxter is 3-for-3. Amherst County's senior has yet to be beaten and sits 8-under through her first 45 holes.

LCA remains deep. The Bulldogs won the season's first two large tournaments and continue to put multiple golfers in the 70s.

E.C. Glass has entered the conversation. The Hilltoppers' 295 at Ivy Hill was one of the strongest team performances of the young season.

Lamanna hasn't blinked. Jefferson Forest's senior has gone 72-73-70 through three tournaments.

Guanzon can go low. His 69 at Ivy Hill is the second-lowest reported 18-hole round among Greater Lynchburg golfers this season, behind only Baxter's 67.

The field is widening. Liberty's two-shot win over Rustburg at London Downs added another team champion to the early-season list

⛳ Today's Tee Sheet

Greater Lynchburg high school golf continues today with competition scheduled at Colonial Hills and Winton Farm.

Amherst County, Brookville, E.C. Glass, Heritage, Jefferson Forest, Liberty Christian, Liberty and Rustburg are among the area programs scheduled for action.

There is plenty to watch.

Can Baxter extend her unbeaten start?
Can E.C. Glass build on its 295 at Ivy Hill?
How will Liberty Christian respond after its first team loss?
Can Lamanna continue his remarkable consistency?
And which golfer or team will emerge next?

Tuesday's Baird Private Wealth Management Greater Lynchburg High School Golf Report will bring together all reported competition from the week, complete individual and team results, updated scoring averages, emerging trends and the latest Baird Private Wealth Management Fairway 10 rankings. Check back with Lynchburg Agenda as results become available.

Presented by Baird Private Wealth Management

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Baird Private Wealth Management is proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of Greater Lynchburg's student-athletes throughout the high school golf season.

Meet the advisors at Baird Private Wealth Management

• Website: https://lynchburg.bairdwealth.com/
• Phone: 434-386-5000
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