Sophomore golfer Connor Warren holds his individual 1A state champion plaque on Tuesday, May 10. A strong second round propelled him to the top.
Mitchell High sophomore Connor Warren still has two years of high school left, but he’s already accomplished one of his biggest goals— becoming a state champion.
Warren this past week took over at the 1A state golf championship at Longleaf Golf and Family Club in Southern Pines, shooting a four-above par 76 on the first day of competition and following with a two-under 70 en route to being named the 1A individual state golf champion.
Warren’s two-below showing on the second and final day of competition was the only under-par round among all competitors and helped seal his championship.
Warren blazed through the front nine with three birdies and six pars, which gave him plenty of space to hold off the rest of the field.
After the first day of competition, Warren was tied atop the leaderboards with Colin Ferrick of Christ the King, Connor Carter of Eastern Randolph and Cameron Lutterloh. Warren’s strong second day kept that trio at bay.
“I have been playing pretty good this spring,” Warren said. “I knew I had a chance. I felt confident going in.”
Warren’s confidence was further fueled by having his team by his side. Fellow sophomore golfer Brody Miller spent many hours on the course alongside Warren growing up.
“It has been a fun and special experience to do all of this with him,” Warren said.
Warren also credits his personal coach Bobby Anglin and Grassy Creek Golf and Country Club Course Pro Bruce Leverette.
“Bruce is good to junior golfers and very supportive of me and my team. He does all he can to make golf accessible,” Warren said. “My coach probably gets tired of all the calls and texts from me but without his help, I don’t know where I would be.”
While Warren’s individual title shines brightly, Miller and the rest of the team held up their end of the bargain. The team finished as the 1A state runner-up in the team competition by shooting a team score of 341.
The Mountaineers were edged by just two strokes by South Stanly. Miller also earned the Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Award.
“We will be back next year to get the job done,” Warren said about the team title.