High school boys golf: Wayne rallies to win first-ever 1A boys state title, Milford’s Rhett Barnes comfortably wins medalist

Milford’s Rhett Barnes reacts after finishing up the 18th hole during the 1A boys golf state tournament at Rose Park Golf Course in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News Throughout much of Wednesday’s final round of the 1A boys state tournament, Wayne narrowly trailed region foe Milford, the front runner with a low regular season stroke average. The Badgers were always within striking distance, and with four holes remaining they needed a late push to pull off the comeback.

That’s exactly what they did, winning their first-ever boys golf state title in the process. As a team, Wayne played the final four holes nine strokes better than Milford, rallying to shoot a two-day team score of 643 at Rose Park Golf Course, while Milford had to settle for second with a 648 team score. Panguitch shot a 668 to finish third as a team.

Reminiscing about what it took for Wayne to win a title just six years after starting the program, coach Mike Hinkle couldn’t help but get choked up. “We practice on a baseball field and pick up shag balls. Our kids gotta drive an hour to a golf course.

This group of boys grew up playing middle school golf because me and my buddy, assistant coach, are obsessed with golf,” said Hinkle. “And to see these kids come through, my son’s a senior, extremely excited for our team, and for our girls, too (who finished second). ” Wayne finished runner-up at the 1A state tournament each of the past two years, and on the back nine it looked like a similar outcome was in store.