Jacksonville Beach Hosts Record-Breaking Varsity Invitational
On a sunny day at Jacksonville Beach, excitement filled the air as the area’s top high school golfers took to the course for the Jax Beach Varsity Invitational. The event witnessed incredible performances, particularly from Luke Balaskiewicz, who put on a dazzling show that left quite an impression.
Balaskiewicz, a senior at Bolles School, stole the spotlight with a jaw-dropping score of 9-under-par 62, marking the best score in the six-year history of this tournament. The young golfer racked up an astounding 10 birdies during his round, including a string of six scores of three or lower on the front nine. It was a day to remember for both Balaskiewicz and his team.
Team Triumph for the Bulldogs
The Bolles Bulldogs walked away with the team title, having combined the boys’ and girls’ scores, finishing at 14-over-par 582—a full ten shots ahead of Beachside. This win marks Bolles’ second title in three years. Balaskiewicz’s stellar performance played a pivotal role in the team’s success.
The boys’ team of Bolles finished second overall to Ponte Vedra, while the girls claimed victory, beating Beachside by nine shots. Trey Leonardi, the boys’ coach, praised the depth and spirit of both teams, stating, “It helps to put a 62 up there… how much each team wants to play hard for the other team.”
Backing up Balaskiewicz was Neil Kuthiala, who shot a solid 71. On the girls’ side, the Bulldogs were led by Grace Breffitt with a commendable 70, followed by Chloe McGrath at 71 and Anaiya Nahar with a 73.
Record-Breaking Day on the Course
As Balaskiewicz reflected on his round, he mentioned how key it was to make well-placed wedges that allowed him to capitalize on par-5s easily. “I was able to hit a lot of wedges today. It took a lot of pressure off the putter,” he said. His near-perfect round wasn’t devoid of challenges, though. He recalled a strange moment at No. 1, where an errant shot that hit the flagstick ended up costing him a bogey.
But he quickly bounced back, reeling off an impressive run with five consecutive birdies! Finishing strong, Balaskiewicz capped his day with scores of 2-3-3-3-3-3—a testament to his dominant performance. Notably, aside from setting a tournament record, he also fell just one shot shy of the course record of 61.
Ponte Vedra’s boys’ team made their presence known with an impressive 280 collective score, clinching first place in the boys’ division, while their girls trailed the Bolles. Cooper Franklin and Easton Oliva led the charge with scores of 66 and 67, respectively. Coach Mickey Leapley is gearing up for the FHSAA playoffs and acknowledges the depth within his squad as a big advantage moving forward.
Girls Division Showcase
On the girls’ front, the competition was fierce. Sahana Chokshi of Episcopal and Addy Vogt from St. Johns Country Day achieved medalist honors, both scoring 67. Chokshi maintained a bogey-free round while Vogt delivered a stunning performance, showcasing back-to-back birdies throughout her trajectory on the course.
Throughout the event, the players benefitted from favorable conditions—soft greens and a light breeze creating the perfect scenario for low scores. It was truly a day of records as Bolles, Ponte Vedra, and other teams shattered previous tournament scores.
Looking Ahead
As golfers head toward the post-season next month, this tournament has set the stage for what promises to be an exciting run. With teams showing off their skills and determination, it’s clear that Jacksonville Beach has some remarkable talent ready to shine on a bigger stage.
