Golf glory and graduation highlight golden week for Cary Christian golfer

Andrew Neal of Cary Christian heard the echoes of one of his greatest life lessons learned from his mother, Holly, after the first day of the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 3A boys’ golf state tournament on Greensboro’s Bryan Park Champions Course earlier this week:

Perseverance.

Tuesday was all about growth. After a 3-over-par 75 in the opening round that saw Neal trail the leaders, he returned Tuesday to post the best second-round score — 2-under-par 70 — for a five-stroke improvement that earned him his second consecutive individual state title. Neal and his Knights teammates, the 2024 Division II team champion, placed second this spring after the second-day rally.

Neal’s 70 was the tournament’s best over 18 holes, one of the event’s three under par rounds, and one better than the first-round score of Greensboro Day’s Griffin Williams. Neal and Williams shared individual medalist honors, after the weather halted the young men’s tie-breaking playoff on the second hole, No. 11. Neal and Williams each birdied No. 10, the first playoff hole. In the second round, Neal birdied 11 and 12, and narrowly missed birdie putts on 10 and 13.

Neal’s golf repeat state championship performance was witnessed by his older brother Walker, with whom he shares distinction of having earned an individual conference championship on the MacGregor Downs Country Club course. Neal’s high school journey concluded Thursday, when he received his diploma.

Tip your hat

Back in 2006, Ravenscroft finished the NCISAA 3A state meet with a two-day, 2-under-par team score and in second place. Then-Ravens coach Jimmy Cox explained what you do in such a situation.

“You tip your hat to the winner,” Cox said.

Forsyth Country Day shot 8 under in that tournament to win.

This year’s Broughton team understands Cox’s words, and then some. The Capitals, N.C. 4A state runners-up to Pinecrest (Southern Pines), carded a collective 11-under-par score in last Tuesday’s second round at Pinehurst No. 8. The Patriots, winners of the classification’s past three team titles, were 16 under. Pinecrest entered Tuesday’s round with a nine-stroke lead after an even round Monday on the par 72 No. 2 course. Weather limited this year’s 4A meet to 27 holes (nine in the first round), and necessitated the course relocation.

Broughton was paced by William Carr in fourth — four shots off the pace of individual champion Will Hartman (Charlotte Catholic, 35-65-100). Leesville Road’s Luke Mueller (35-70-105, ninth) also was under par for both rounds. He finished in a four-way tie for sixth.

Promising future

Milan Rampersaud of Durham Academy was runner-up in the NCISAA 4A state meet, also Monday-Tuesday, May 12-13, at Greensboro National Golf Club. The freshman shot a 5-under 139 for 36 holes for the third-place Cavaliers, and was one of five players with under-par rounds on both days.

Henry Holland (Charlotte Latin) was the individual medalist, and paced the team champion Hawks with an 8-under 136.

This story was originally published May 17, 2025 at 10:42 AM.