By: J. Daniel Pearson
St. Cloud golf standouts Arnold Pouncy and Angela Pacheco delivered remarkable performances at the FHSAA State Golf Championships, with Pouncy making Osceola County history by finishing just one stroke shy of a state title, while Pacheco earned an impressive top-10 finish, showcasing the exceptional talent and continued success of the Bulldogs golf program.
On Saturday, Pouncy matched the two-under par 70 that he shot in Friday’s first round to finish second at the FHSAA State Golf Championships at Mission Inn and Resort. His two-day total of 70-70-140 fell just one stroke short of forcing a playoff by tying William T. Dwyer’s William Cull (69-70-139) for the state championship.
It was the highest finish ever at the state high championships by an Osceola County competitor. “He was a birdie machine all weekend,” St. Cloud coach Alejandro Sanchez said. “He led the field with 10 birdies and an eagle in 36 holes and just missed another on 18 that would have forced a playoff.”
Cull and Pouncy were not in the same group and did not even start on the same sides, as Pouncy began round two on the backside and Cull started on the front. Cull, the first round leader, appeared to be safely in control through his 16th hole, where he birdied to go six under and Pouncy bogeyed to fall three back at -3 for the tournament.
But on the penultimate hole of the tournament for both players, Cull double bogeyed and Pouncy birdied, resulting in a three-stroke swing and putting both players at four under for the tournament.
On the final hole for each player, Pouncy watched as his birdie attempt barely missed the cup, while on the other side of the course, Cull was making his birdie attempt for the one-stroke win. “It’s too bad Arnold missed that final attempt, but it was a great tournament for him,” Sanchez added. “But it was still the highest finish in school and county history, and it’s a lot to be proud of.”
St. Cloud’s team had an earned an at-large bid to the state tournament and had its sites set on a possible top five finish or to even challenge for a team championship but those hopes were dashed by a scheduling conflict and some miscommunication.
Sophomore standout Ayden Febres, who battled Pouncy all season for the top spot on the St. Cloud roster, missed the tournament in order to honor a previous commitment to attend an event at Auburn University. “The state tournament was held on Thursday and Friday last year and based that it would be the same this year, Ayden committed to attend the event at Auburn, where he is being heavily recruited,” Sanchez said. “When the conflict came up, it became a difficult choice. Competition for scholarships at top golf schools is highly competitive and Arnold and his family decided the best course of action was honor the commitment he made to attend the Auburn event.”
With Febres not competing, St. Cloud finished the tournament in 14th place, shooting 328-312-640. Other counting scores came from Dominick Vazquez (78-78-156), Nick Lehto (85-80-165), and sophomore Brandon Smart (94-84-178).
Dwyer High defended their state team title with a 584, four shots better than second place Beachside and five better than third place Tocoi Creek.
Pouncy was not the only county golfer to have a great tournament. St. Cloud’s , senior Angela Pacheco shot a two-under 142 (71-71) to tie for 8th place in the Girls’ 3A State Championship.
The Lady Bulldogs, who were making an unprecedented sixth straight appearance at states finished in 15th place overall – shooting a 338-345-683. Other counting scores for St. Cloud came from Maddie Burda (75-74-149), who finished 18th overall; as well as Abgail Murphy 71-87-158) and Ava Gomez (121-113-234).
Lake Nona’s Alexandra Sanchez (66-72-138) claimed medalist honors to lead her team to the state championship (292-304-596). Parrish was second (604) and Lakewood Ranch (615) was third.
