Unfinished Business: Greater Lynchburg Golfers Chase State Titles at Cutalong

Caitlyn Baxter returns after finishing one stroke shy of the 2025 title, Preston Laughon and Nikko Guanzon make their state debuts, and LCA pursues the Class 3 championship after last year's runner-up finish.

LYNCHBURG, Va. — One golfer is returning after missing a state championship by a single stroke. Two teammates are determined to erase the disappointment of last year's postseason. And an entire team has spent the season pursuing a goal so important that the words ONE TEAM. ONE GOAL! are printed on their ball markers.

For Liberty Christian Academy, that goal is a state championship.

Amherst County's Caitlyn Baxter, E.C. Glass teammates Preston Laughon and Nikko Guanzon, and the LCA Bulldogs will carry those ambitions into the VHSL state golf championships Monday and Tuesday at Cutalong at Tributer Resort near Lake Anna.

Baxter, Laughon and Guanzon will compete in Monday's Class 4 championship. LCA takes the course Tuesday for the Class 3 championship.

All arrive with unfinished business, although their paths to Cutalong have been decidedly different.

Baxter’s Unfinished Business

Caitlyn Baxter enters the Class 4 championship playing some of the best golf of her high school career — and with an opportunity to top last year's finish.

At the 2025 state championship, Salem's Ashnoor Kaur captured the Class 4 title with a 1-over 71, finishing one stroke ahead of Baxter, who tied for second.

This postseason, the results have been dramatically different.

The Amherst County standout has won both of her postseason tournaments, beginning with an 8-under-par 63 at Hidden Valley Country Club that established a women's course record from the black tees. She followed with a 6-under 66 at Winchester Country Club to capture the Region 4D individual championship.

Baxter defeated Kaur by seven strokes in the sub-regional and five strokes at the regional championship. She's now a combined 14-under par across two postseason rounds, setting up another meeting with the defending state champion Monday at Cutalong.

Amherst County coach Gary Addison, in his first season leading the program, said he has noticed a change in Baxter as the postseason has progressed.

“Her focus and intensity have hit another level since the start of the year end tournament run,” Addison said. “I think it's safe to say that she feels like there is business to be taken care of yet.”

Addison also pointed to Baxter's growing maturity and resilience; qualities he believes will serve her well against the state's best competition.

But her contributions extend beyond the leaderboard.

“She is an incredibly talented golfer, and honestly, an even better teammate,” Addison said, praising the example she has set for Amherst County's younger players and her enthusiasm for their accomplishments.

Laughon and Guanzon Get Their Opportunity

For E.C. Glass golfers Preston Laughon and Nikko Guanzon, reaching the state championship represents a breakthrough after disappointing postseason finishes in 2025.

Both enjoyed strong regular seasons last year but struggled at the sub-regional tournament, ending their chances of advancing.

Glass coach Jeffrey McCall believes those experiences helped prepare them for this season.

“They're more experienced, they're more consistent, and probably most importantly, they're more patient with their games,” McCall said.

Laughon, a senior, has pursued a state championship berth throughout his high school career.

“He's been the leader of our team since he was a freshman, and he's been one of the better players in our district throughout his career,” McCall said.

Although Laughon did not have his strongest regular season this fall, his game has come together when it matters most. He shot a 69 at the Region 4D South sub-regional and followed with another 69 at the regional championship, finishing second to Baxter.

Guanzon, meanwhile, has been the Seminole District's most consistent golfer this season.

He won six of nine regular-season tournaments, finished second twice and tied for fifth in the other. He also has developed his game through competition on the Hurricane Tour, where McCall said he has recorded several victories.

“Nikko has had an incredible season. He averaged under par for the season, and in my opinion, he was the player of the year in our conference,” McCall said.

Guanzon qualified for state with rounds of 71 and 72 in his two postseason tournaments.

For both players, McCall's message is to trust the preparation that brought them this far.

“Don't make it bigger than it is,” McCall said of his advice for Monday. “They need to trust their games, rely on the experience they've gained, stay patient and take advantage of the scoring opportunities when they get them.”

LCA: ONE TEAM. ONE GOAL!

Liberty Christian Academy hasn't been shy about its objective this season.

After finishing second in last year's Class 3 state championship, the Bulldogs made winning the title their collective mission.

They even had ball markers made with the words that have defined their season:

ONE TEAM. ONE GOAL!

For LCA coach Josh Gilmore, the slogan represents more than a motivational message. It reflects the unity and determination of a highly talented deep team that has been building toward this opportunity since last year's runner-up finish.

“We are fortunate to have 5 players returning from last years state runner up team and the experience they have gained has been invaluable,” Gilmore said. “Our team motto this year is ‘One Team, One Goal’, which perfectly captures the unity and shared purpose that has driven their growth.”

Tuesday will mark LCA's third consecutive appearance in the Class 3 state championship as a team.

The Bulldogs earned their latest berth with a second-place finish at the Region 3C Championship at Lake Monticello, shooting 310 to finish four strokes behind Western Albemarle.

Tanner Hesse led LCA with a 72 to capture the individual regional championship. Logan Walker shot 76, Matthew Stephens added 79 and Dylan Maddox completed the team's four counting scores with an 83.

Gilmore acknowledged that his team didn't play its best golf at regionals, but said qualifying again validates the players' dedication.

“We've been building towards this and although we didn't play our best at regionals, this is validation of the hard work and dedication each player has put in this year,” he said.

The Bulldogs have three seniors and a talented group of underclassmen, including five returning players from last year's state runner-up team.

That experience, Gilmore believes, has made the team better equipped to handle the pressure of championship competition.

“Each player has become more confident and composed in high pressure moments,” he said.

Western Albemarle, which defeated LCA by 25 strokes at last year's state championship, again stands as a familiar opponent. But the gap between the programs was considerably smaller at this year's regional tournament.

Gilmore isn't interested in making predictions based solely on those results.

His message is to focus on the process, remain patient and trust the preparation that brought the Bulldogs back to state.

“This year's group is super talented,” he said. “If they bring their A game, stay relaxed, and simply enjoy competing, they have a real opportunity to win it all and achieve our goal.”

For LCA, the objective has been clear since the season began.

One team. One goal. One more opportunity to bring home a state championship.

Cutalong Presents a Championship Test

All three local individual qualifiers. the LCA team as well as the entire field will encounter a demanding course at Cutalong, located near Lake Anna in Louisa County.

Designed by Tom Clark with consulting assistance from Ron Whitten, the par-72 course stretches to more than 7,300 yards from its back tees. Its 148-slope rating from those tees reflects the difficulty of a layout featuring significant elevation changes, strategically placed bunkers and heavily contoured greens.

Cutalong's design emphasizes precision approach shots and careful management of the undulating greens. Wide fairways can offer opportunities off the tee, but poor positioning can leave difficult approaches and challenging recovery shots.

By tomorrow, we should clarification on which tees will be used for the state championships and will add to this story as more information becomes available.

McCall believes hitting fairways and greens will be essential for his two golfers.

“If they can put together a good day on the greens, I think they'll have a chance to shoot a really good score,” he said.

Addison sees the mental side of the game as equally important.

“The players that can stay in the moment and respond positively when things aren't going as planned will likely end up on top,” he said.

For Baxter, Laughon, Guanzon and the LCA Bulldogs, the season has already produced plenty of memorable moments.

Now comes the final test.

Weather Could Add Another Challenge

Cutalong should be in excellent condition after hosting its member-guest tournament late this week and Saturday, but the weather could introduce another challenge before Monday's Class 4 state championship.

Forecasts call for approximately 1.65 inches of rain Saturday and Sunday, potentially leaving soggy course conditions when players tee off Monday.

Monday's forecast calls for sunshine and a high near 76 degrees, with winds of 7–10 mph that could help dry the course as the day progresses.

The potential for softer fairways and greens could influence how the course plays, and if rules are put into play regarding the course conditions. Actual conditions will depend on how much rain falls and how quickly the course drains.

Liberty Christian Academy will compete in Tuesday's Class 3 championship, potentially benefiting from another day of drying conditions.

⛳ State Championship Schedule

Monday, Oct. 12 — VHSL Class 4

Tee Times

The three Greater Lynchburg individual qualifiers will begin their Class 4 state championship rounds in consecutive groups Monday. Individual qualifiers will tee off first, followed by golfers representing the teams competing for the state championships. For Monday's full tee sheet pairings click here.

• Caitlyn Baxter — 8:30 a.m.
• Preston Laughon — 8:40 a.m.
• Nikko Guanzon — 8:50 a.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 13 — VHSL Class 3

Tee Times

Liberty Christian Academy — Team qualifier. For Tuesday's full tee sheet pairings click here.

• Tanner Hesse — 10:00 a.m.
• Logan Walker — 10:10 a.m.
• Matthew Stephens — 10:20 a.m.
• Dylan Maddox — 10:30 a.m.
• Ripken Colling — 10:40 a.m.
• Baylor Ritter — 10:50 a.m.

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