Pisgah boys golf takes sixth-straight conference title

May 20-A lot of teams can make it to the mountain top, but not many can hang around. Yet that's exactly what the Pisgah boys' golf team has done with their sixth consecutive conference title.

And Coach Bentley Rogers gives all the credit to the kids who put the work in.

"We've had kids who understand golf is not just a sport from February to May. These kids are playing golf, they work at golf courses and are around the game," Rogers said. "If we cancel practice, they find a way."

A trio of soon-to-graduate seniors were critical to the six-year run for Pisgah, being a part of four of the six titles. And they've added to the culture of the program, setting the foundation for what's to come for Pisgah.

"Their work ethic is what I'm always using as an example to the younger guys," Rogers said.

Late in the season, the Bears began facing tough competition. But Pisgah was ready for it.

"We have been in those situations for conference championships," Rogers said. "We went to the conference championship, and we had a decent lead, but we didn't want to melt and give it all away. Their experience in that situation helped us so much because they've done it for their whole high school career. They've been the conference champions - they even know how to fight for it."

After winning the Mountain 8 conference title, the Bears sent four golfers to the regional championship - seniors Matthew Mehaffey, Micah Devlin and Jonah Smith and junior Heath Rogers.

The team battled at the tournament, finishing third and just missing out on qualifying for state as a team. The two teams that beat them out finished in the top two spots at the state title meet, as well.

"That was the best showing we've had in the region. It just so happened that the two teams from our region were the state champion and state champion runner-up," Rogers said.

Mehaffey had a great showing at the regional meet, finishing third individually. The senior finished just one stroke out of first, shooting even par at regionals.

"Matthew is a grinder and has played multiple sports," Rogers said. "That's one of the main reasons I think he's able to handle adversity on the golf course. He was just that constant 75 or better for us. He could shoot low."

Mehaffey's finish at the regional meet earned him a spot at the state meet. During that two-day tournament, things got off to a rough start. On day one, he shot 10-over-par and was set up to plummet down the leaderboard.

But, after a slow start on day two, Mehaffey rattled off eight straight pars before grabbing his first birdie of the tournament. He ended up going on a 14-hole stretch in that second round without a bogey, scoring 12 pars and two birdies.

That was good enough to pull Mehaffey up to 19th overall.

"He's able to fight through it. He just kept grinding. I was proud of him, just from being able to handle it and represent our school community as he did," Rogers said.

Rogers gave a shoutout to the golf infrastructure in the county for supporting the team's success.

"The success we've had is a tribute to the golf that we have with Haywood County and the access that we have to golf courses," Rogers said.

He also said he's going to miss this group of seniors who have left their impact on the program.

"You get close to these guys. It's a small team, a small group, so you form a lot of bonds. That's what I'm gonna miss the most with these guys - the camaraderie you have with the players," Rogers said.

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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 6:38 PM.