Bulldogs Rule the Links: St. Cloud Dominates OBC Golf Championships as Pouncy Wins Dramatic Playoff, Boys and Girls Sweep Team Titles

By: J. Daniel Pearson

St. Cloud’s Bulldogs delivered a commanding performance on the golf course Wednesday, capturing their third consecutive boys Orange Belt Conference championship behind a dramatic playoff victory by Arnold Pouncy, while the Lady Bulldogs claimed their 11th straight OBC crown to complete an impressive championship sweep for St. Cloud!

St. Cloud junior Arnold Pouncy birdied the third extra hole to defeat teammate Ayden Febres and capture his first Orange Belt Conference individual championship on Wednesday morning at Royal St. Cloud Golf Club.

Pouncy and Febres shot matching five-under 67s over the 6,571-yard Par 72 course to set up a dramatic overtime finish. Fabres was one stroke ahead as he played his final hole – but posted a bogey 5 on the finishing 401-yard, 18^th hole to fall back into a tie with Pouncy.

Meanwhile Pouncy was solid throughout the round, posting a lone bogey and six birdies on the day. Both players parred the first two playoff holes, until Pouncy stuck his approach 134-yard Par 3 third to inside six feet and rolled it in for the winner.

“I was a little surprised but not shocked that 67 didn’t win outright,” Pouncy said. “Ayden is my best friend and absolute dog on the course so I knew it was going to be challenge today. I was really pleased with my putting. It seems like I made every putt I felt I had a look at.”

Senior Nick Lehto added a two-under 70 for the Bulldogs; while sophomore Brandon Smart posted St. Cloud’s other counting score with an 80.

Overall, the Bulldogs shot a four-under 284 to claim their third straight OBC crown and seventh in the last eight years. The Bulldogs team total was just two shots off their OBC record 282 from a year ago.

“This was the first day we had our entire team together and they played really well,” St. Cloud coach Alejandro Sanchez said. “Every member of this team has a chance to shoot under par and we will need that type of consistency to reach our goals.”

Second place Harmony had a terrific day on the links.

The Longhorns had five golfers shoot in the 70s to post a team total of 297—15 shots better than last year’s 312. Connor Holt (71) led the way for the Longhorns; while Mason Collier (74), Carter Wright (75), and Wesley Durrance (77) joined him on the OBC All-Conference team.

“Really proud of how hard our guys have worked the past couple of years to get to this point and that was on full display today,” Harmony coach Steve Durrance said. “We had five guys in the 70s today and on any given day, any one of them could be the best. Our goal this year was to advance past the district round and we have the depth to do that, if we play our best in the coming weeks.”

Celebration brothers Benjamin (74) and Austin (77) Srikittipraphat (74) also posted top seven finishes to earn the nod for All-OBC.

The Girls Orange Belt Conference Tournament was held on Monday and it was a two-team race both figuratively and literally as only two of the nine public schools fielded a team.

Despite being hit hard by graduation, St. Cloud won its 11^th straight OBC title. Led by Angelina Pacheco one under 69, the Bulldogs shot a team score of 334 to easily outdistance Harmony (442) for the team title.

Pacheco was near perfect on her round – finishing with four birdies, 13 pars and just one bogey over 5.908-yard, Par 72 course.

Abigail Murphy (72) and Maddie Burda (78) joined Pacheco on the All-OBC team; Alexis Bissonette (93) was the top finisher for Harmony.

It was the third time in school history that the Bulldogs swept both the boys and girls OBC team championships in the same year. District play begins next week.

2026 OBC Championships At Royal St. Cloud

Wednesday, Oct. 21

6,571 Yards – Par 72

Team Results (Par 288): 1. St. Cloud 284 (-4), Harmony 297 (+9); Celebration 336 (+58); Gateway 393 (+105); Tohopekaliga 421 (+135); NTS: Osceola

Individual Scores

Arnold Pouncy (SC) 67

Ayden Febres (SC) 67

Nick Lehto (SC) 70

Connor Holt (H) 71

Mason Collier (H) 74

Benjamin Srikittipraphat (C) 74

Carter Wright (H) 75