Believe it or not, fall sports competition has already kicked off in the high school ranks.
On Monday, three area golf squads — Waynesboro, Greencastle-Antrim, and Chambersburg — began play in the first Mid-Penn Colonial Division match of the season. It didn’t go exactly as planned, with the Franklin County trio landing in the back half of the six-team field.
But there’s good news for our local teams: They all have a chance for immediate redemption.
After just one day off, the Colonial is set to return to play on Wednesday at Penn National Golf Club’s Iron Forge Course. We’ve selected this competition as our Match of the Week.
The Tribe, Blue Devils, and Trojans all possess proven talent at the top of their rosters, and all will be shooting to move up in the division pecking order.
Their journey will not be easy. Gettysburg, led by perhaps the top freshman golfer in the state in Parker Tokar, will be the team to beat. Shippensburg and Northern are not far behind the Warriors.
Get that popcorn ready, but please try not to chew too loud on the golf course.
In the weeks and months to come throughout the high school sports season, we plan on spotlighting multiple teams and sports with our Game of the Week. Any big upcoming contests we should know about? Send suggestions to Andy Sandrik via email at [email protected].
Mid-Penn Colonial Division Golf Match
Tee time: Wednesday, 12 p.m., at Penn National Golf Club Iron Forge Course
Course Par: 72
Last match: The Colonial kicked off its season on Monday, with Gettysburg shooting a 320 to win over Shippensburg (321), Northern (323), Greencastle-Antrim (326), Waynesboro (335), and Chambersburg (340).
Meet the Tribe: Coming off a 15-27 campaign in 2025, Waynesboro returns a solid group of starters who are striving for the program’s second winning season in three years … The Tribe were led in Monday’s match by two Top 10 finishers in Caiden Shacreaw and Rylan Nichols, who each shot 81 to tie for ninth place … Abby Byers, a multiple-time District 3-3A qualifier, shot an 86 and finished just behind teammate Landon Crable … With just five of seven starting slots filled, Waynesboro will need a level-up from its No. 5 golfer, Zach Bachtell, who posted a 106 in Monday’s meet … The Tribe are led by coach Ryan “Hendu” Henderson.
Meet the Trojans: Chambersburg is now a full-fledged member of golf’s Colonial Division after making the switch from the rugged Commonwealth … The Trojans, led by coach Mark Yost, are shooting for improvement and consistency … Kole Peiffer was Chambersburg’s lone Top 15 finisher on Monday, as he shot an 81 to tie for ninth place … Talan Martin (85) and Mason Lehman (86) just missed the Top 15 threshold score of 83 … The Trojans are off to an 0-5 start, but are within striking distance of Franklin County neighbors Greencastle and Waynesboro if they can get improved performance from the back half of their starting lineup, which was manned on Monday by Joel Jennings (88), Alex Moore (89), Max Piper (90), and Ben Strong (99) … Keep an eye on Abby Rensch, one of the frequent top performers in the girls meets, who shot a 92 on Monday.
Meet the Blue Devils: Coach Jeremy Eby’s Greencastle-Antrim squad has to like its chances of contending for the Colonial this fall after finishing just six strokes out of first place on Monday … The Blue Devils (2-3) are spearheaded by Camden Eby, who carried a 79.33 average last fall, and shot a 77 to finish fifth at Monday’s meet … Bryce Davidson — perhaps best known for his heroics in leading Greencastle’s baseball squad to a PIAA Class 5A title last spring — is also a quality golfer. He shot an 80 on Monday to finish in a tie for seventh … Landon Summers shot an 83 on Monday to crack into the Top 15, and he was closely followed by teammates Jex McDowell (86), Hudson Garland (89), Carter Sobol (87), and Carter Kobel (91) … The Blue Devils golfed to a 20-22 record in 2025.
Meet the Colonial: After winning Monday’s opener at Waynesboro Country Club, Gettysburg will be carrying a big, fat target on its back when it rolls into Penn National Golf Club on Wednesday … The Warriors (5-0) possess perhaps the division’s best 1-2 punch in Parker Tokar and Ryan Cunningham … Tokar, a freshman, shot a 72 to win the Colonial meet on Monday. He’s coming off a big summer that saw him finish as the top Pennsylvanian golfer at the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) tournament … Cunningham carded a 79 on Monday to finish in sixth place … Shippensburg (5-1) has a couple of big boppers of its own in Kaden Ramsey (2nd, 74) and Kaydee Beckenbaugh (4th, 76), both of whom landed Top 5 finishes in Monday’s meet … Northern (4-2) took third on Monday and was led by a trio of golfers: Garrett Mainhart (3rd, 75), Trent Bankert (t-7th, 80), and Cole Syvertson (13th, 82).
