FLEMING ISLAND - Fleming Island High boys golf coach Bruce Cloud was quietly optimistic when asked about the possibility of an unprecedented third straight golf state title for his Golden Eagles team.

"Your guess is as good as mine at this point," said Cloud, as he watched his boys team, led by senior Tyler Mawhinney and junior William McGready both finishing with 34 scores in a tightly matched win over 3A-Tocoi Creek and 1A-Bolles last week on the Golden Eagles home course at the Golf Club at Fleming Island. "We are not as deep talented as we have been in the past, but they can do it."

Tops on the list of talent belongs to Mawhinney, who has returned from a series of national tours around the country, to see if he can leave Fleming Island with yet another state title. Mawhinney won the individual Class 3A title in 2023, then finished second in Class 2A last year while leading the Golden Eagles to team titles in both seasons.

"I don't know if I have frequent flyer miles, but I would like to get the team state title before I graduate," said Mawhinney, who quietly admitted that his local game has waned a bit. "It's a lot of traveling and the matches are longer and more intense, for sure. The team, I think, is going to need a big game from me, pretty low, and hope that Ryan (Houck), Carson (Moore) or William (McGready) have big games."

For Mawhinney, who will be playing at Vanderbilt next fall, the prospect of a third title for the team is a big deal.
"We've done it before after barely making it out of regions last year, so anything is possible," Mawhinney said. "William has been playing really well lately."

For Houck and McGready, the need to bring their game up a bit in the upcoming post season is essential for the team's success.

"Personally, I need to get my confidence back before the districts start," Houck said. "William has been playing pretty well and if we get me, him and Carson pretty close, that will give us a shot at the third title."

For McGready, who has steadily improved his scores as the season has progressed, the thought of being a key player in the post season is a bit daunting, but doable.
"I wish I was a rookie, but it's my time to step up for sure," McGready said. "I had a top of 39 last year and worked all summer to get better. Today was a good day with a 34."

McGready mentioned that his game at the Qdoba Tournament a few weeks ago, another 34, gave him a boost.

"When I shot the 34 on that hard course, I felt like my game was better and my confidence was higher," McGready said. "The only thing on the post season is walking for 18 holes. I need to run every day like my dad (Brian McGready, a long-time college football referee)."