LCA Finishes Second at Class 3 State Golf Championship; Hesse Ties for Runner-Up

Liberty Christian Academy finishes four strokes behind Western Albemarle at Cutalong, while Tanner Hesse shoots a 2-under 70 to tie for second individually.

Liberty Christian Academy came within four strokes of capturing the VHSL Class 3 State Golf Championship on Tuesday, finishing second to Western Albemarle at Cutalong at Tributer Resort near Mineral.

The Bulldogs posted a four-player team score of 307 (+19), while Western Albemarle claimed the championship with a 303 (+15). Hidden Valley finished third at 308, just one stroke behind LCA.

It was LCA's second consecutive state runner-up finish and third straight appearance in the championship as a team. LCA's 307 also matched the winning team score from Monday's Class 4 State Championship at Cutalong, where Broad Run captured the title with a 307. Western Albemarle's Class 3 championship score of 303 was four strokes better than Monday's Class 4 winner. Although the tournaments were played on consecutive days under potentially different conditions, the comparison illustrates the competitive level of Tuesday's Class 3 championship.

Tanner Hesse led the Bulldogs with a 2-under-par 70, tying for second individually with Hidden Valley's Harris Camp. Lord Botetourt's Alisa Davidova captured the individual championship with a 6-under 66.

Hesse's performance was particularly impressive following his individual medalist finish at the Region 3C championship, where he shot an even-par 72.

Hesse's Round

Hesse played both nines in 1-under 35, recording three birdies and one bogey on his way to a 70.

He birdied the par-4 fifth hole, the short par-4 10th and the par-5 11th. His only bogey came at the par-4 18th, leaving him four strokes behind Davidova and tied for second.

Hesse's 70 was the lowest score among LCA's six competitors and helped keep the Bulldogs in contention for the team championship.

Colling, Walker and Stephens Complete Team Score

Ripken Colling shot a 6-over 78, tying for 17th, while Logan Walker finished tied for 19th with a 7-over 79.

Mathew Stephens rounded out LCA's four counting scores with an 8-over 80, tying for 26th.

Dylan Maddox finished tied for 29th with an 81, and Baylor Ritter tied for 35th with an 82.

LCA's four counting scores — 70, 78, 79 and 80 — combined for 307, four strokes behind Western Albemarle.

The Bulldogs had entered the tournament with five returning players from their 2025 state runner-up team. Coach Josh Gilmore's squad had embraced the season-long motto “One Team, One Goal” as it pursued the program's state championship aspirations.

Although the title remained out of reach, LCA again finished among the state's top Class 3 programs.

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VHSL Class 3 State Golf Championship Leaderboard

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026 | Cutalong at Tributer Resort, Mineral, Va.

Individual Leaders

LCA Individual Results

Team Standings

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