“Charlie Woods Leads His High School Team to Victory, but It Wasn’t the Win Anyone Expected”
“Charlie Woods Leads His High School Team to Victory, but It Wasn’t the Win Anyone Expected”
In what could have been a routine first step in the 2024 FHSAA postseason, Charlie Woods and the Benjamin School boys golf team barely eked out a win this week that left fans and teammates alike both relieved and somewhat rattled. The tension unfolded at the Championship Club at Summerfield in Stuart, where the Benjamin Buccaneers claimed the District 13-1A championship title by a razor-thin margin, besting West Palm Beach’s Oxbridge Academy by only two strokes. But even with the victory, the win was anything but straightforward.
The Bucs posted a team score of 291, edging out Oxbridge Academy’s 293 in a match that came down to the wire. “Wasn’t pretty but got the job done at districts,” read a candid post from Benjamin’s boys golf team on Instagram. They acknowledged the gritty nature of their victory, emphasizing that while they may have emerged on top, the road to the win was paved with missteps and near-misses. The Instagram post closed with a statement that sounded as much like a rallying cry as a sigh of relief: “Onto regionals.”
At the center of the high-stakes showdown was sophomore Charlie Woods, son of the legendary Tiger Woods. Although carrying the legacy of one of golf’s greatest, Woods found himself struggling through the tense atmosphere. Despite shooting a 1-over-par 73, enough to secure sixth place individually, Charlie was overshadowed by standout performances on both sides. Senior Pavel Tsar, named The Post’s reigning boys golfer of the year, finished just behind him with a 3-over-par 75. But it was the younger Tsar sibling, Andrew, who claimed the day’s top honors, leading Benjamin to victory with a remarkable 3-under 69, an impressive score that earned him the individual district title.
Andrew’s performance, described as “lucky” by the team’s Instagram page, included several close shots that barely dropped in, keeping onlookers at the edge of their seats. Oxbridge Academy, however, didn’t make it easy for Benjamin. Sophomores Joey Iaciofano and Ajax Lanasa from Oxbridge posted stellar rounds of 70 and 71, respectively, and junior AJ Colonna finished at even par, joining his teammates in the top five. Each player for Oxbridge Academy delivered a performance that nearly clinched the championship and sparked excitement around the possibility of an upset.
Still, despite Oxbridge’s admirable efforts, Benjamin’s experience as reigning state champions in Class 1A proved crucial in the end, helping them secure the narrow victory. Oxbridge Academy and Benjamin both qualified for the next level of competition and will be competing at the Region 4-1A championships set for next Monday at Miami Shores Golf Club. There, the stakes will be higher, and the pressure on Woods and his teammates will only intensify as they seek to defend their state title.
The intensity of the District 13-1A championships suggests an even fiercer battle in the regionals. Fans and followers will have to wait to see if Charlie Woods and his teammates can rise to the challenge, but one thing is clear: this victory, as narrow as it was, is only the beginning.
