The fairways are fast. The greens are firm. And the Fall 2026 high school golf season is officially OFF AND RUNNING. Over the last five days, two programs - Sheridan High School (WY) in Class 4A and Johnson County High School (TN) in TSSAA small-school play - have given their fanbases plenty to chew on. But here's the deal: with some smaller meets, JV splits, and a rain-out muddling the official record books, we're tracking down every verified score like it's a Sunday pin sheet. Below is our live-updated roundup for the August 24 - 28 window, complete with coaching chatter, early standouts, and precisely where the full stat lines will land.
Sheridan HS (WY) - Class 4A Opening Week Recap
The Broncs wasted zero time flexing their muscles. Over a marathon stretch - two conference duals and one weekend invitational split-squad - Sheridan showed why they're being whispered about as a top-4 Class 4A threat. The headline? Junior captain Tate McKinnon played like a man on a mission, carding a 2-under 69 in the home opener and following it with a rock-solid sub-par round in a windy road test. Head coach Barrett's lineup is still rotating, but the top of the card is starting to look locked in.
Here's the confirmed breakdown:
- Aug 25 (Home vs. Campbell County, Kendrick Park): Sheridan took the team win by 11 strokes. McKinnon's 69 was the low round of the day, and senior Jace Whitlock backed him up with a 73. The Camels never got within shouting distance after the front nine.
- Aug 27 (Away vs. Kelly Walsh, Green Hills Golf Course): A nail-biter. Winds gusted to 25 mph, and the Broncs escaped with a 152 - 153 one-stroke victory. Sophomore Cade Ellingson stepped up huge with an even-par 71, draining a 12-footer on 18 to seal it.
- Aug 28 (Gillette Invitational): Sheridan sent a "B" squad to rest starters, and they still finished 4th out of 9 teams. Unofficial. Full individual cards expected on WyoPreps by Sunday morning.
📊 McKinnon is 2-for-2 in sub-70 rounds - both varsity starts have ended in the 60s, putting him in early All-State conversations.
The story to watch? Depth. Whitlock's consistency is a luxury, but if the No. 4 and No. 5 spots can shave just a few strokes, this Broncs squad goes from "dangerous" to "favorite." Coach Barrett is known for tinkering with lineups in September, so expect some competitive rotation pressure at practice this week.
| Date | Opponent / Event | Result | Team Score | Top Performer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 25 | Campbell County (Home) | W (+11) | 148 | Tate McKinnon (69) |
| Aug 27 | Kelly Walsh (Away) | W (+1) | 152 | Cade Ellingson (71) |
| Aug 28 | Gillette Invite (B-Squad) | 4th / 9 teams | Unofficial | TBD (WyoPreps) |
Johnson County HS (TN) - TSSAA Small-School Grind
Down in Mountain City, the Longhorns are grinding through a brutal early-season district slate. The August 24 - 28 stretch was a classic mixed bag: a near-miss, a dominant bounce-back, and a rain-out that left everyone wanting more. Early vibe? This team has a real shot at a top-3 district finish - but only if the young guns keep progressing.
The confirmed ledger:
- Aug 24 (District Match @ Crossville): Johnson County finished 2nd in a six-team field with a combined 168. Freshman Ryder Roark stole the show with a 3-over 75, but the No. 2 and No. 3 scorers bled strokes on the back nine. Coach Mullins didn't sugarcoat it: "Fixable, but needs urgency."
- Aug 26 (Home Tri-Match vs. Sullivan East & Volunteer): Complete reversal. The Longhorns went 2-0 on the day, and senior Landon Pierce took medalist honors with a scorching 1-under 70 at the local country club. Roark added a 74, and the team looked like a different squad entirely.
- Aug 28 (District Team Qualifier): Mother Nature intervened. Rain washed out the planned 18-hole qualifier, which has been rescheduled for September 2. The rain-shortened 9-hole portion - where Johnson County actually led - will NOT count toward district standings.
