Hanna, Dorman and Chesnee try to repeat as state champions

When Byrnes coach Arthur Brooks was asked what teams were in the field for the annual Lady Rebel hosted by his school, he gave a simple one-word answer:

“Everybody!”

Translated, that meant all the contenders, a few pretenders, and three reigning state champions, making River Falls Plantation the perfect early-season showcase for high school girls golf.

The lineup featured Dorman, defending 5A Division I champion; T.L. Hanna, defending 5A Division II champion; and Chesnee, the four-time 2A champion. For the other 15 teams in the 18-team field, the Lady Rebel offered a clear look at how far they must go to bring home their own title in October.

Though the 5A format means Dorman and Hanna can’t meet in a state final, they’ll see plenty of each other along the way. At River Falls, senior Ava Romansky led the Cavaliers with a 4-under 68, good enough to edge Hanna’s Marissa Scaletta by one for medalist honors. Dorman also slipped past Hanna by two shots for the team title.

Behind the top two, River Bluff, Fountain Inn, and Lexington rounded out the top five, with Claire Kim (Lexington) third individually, Carolina Hawkins (Blythewood) fourth, Spencer Harvey (Fountain Inn) fifth, and A.C. Peake (Dorman) in sixth.

The Lady Rebel not only crowned an early-season champion, it also gave each defending state champion a chance to show what they’ll bring into 2025. Here’s how the big three looked on opening day:

Dorman Cavaliers

Dorman’s chase for a fourth straight SCHSL 5A Upper Division championship is built on both experience and fresh energy. Coach Laura Mauer said several of her players have been part of all three title runs, giving the Cavaliers a steady backbone to go with a couple of newcomers who are already contributing in the scoring lineup.

Key returners include Sophia Mauer, Kendall Chappell, and Emma Whitfield, all of whom have been through the grind of postseason play. Their familiarity with pressure situations helps anchor a group that also features emerging talent in Madison Wright and Hannah Price.

“Each season, we try to reset and never take the opportunity for granted,” Mauer said. “Our motto this year is to be the team that other teams are excited to be paired with.”

That mix of experience, talent, and mindset has made Dorman the team to beat — and the Cavaliers aren’t looking to give up their crown easily.

T.L. Hanna Yellow Jackets

The Yellow Jackets of T.L. Hanna may be young, but they arrive this season carrying the swagger of a rare accomplishment — both the boys and girls teams won state championships last year, something not seen in South Carolina since A.C. Flora’s run a couple decades ago.

Golf at Hanna has become a family affair. Marissa Scaletta headlines the girls’ roster, following in the footsteps of her brother Bennett, a state champion and former state player of the year. Serra Erlenkeuser brings a similar pedigree; her brother Erik was last year’s boys player of the year. And Sierra Schulze adds to the legacy, her older sister Ivey now competing for Clemson.

Coach Gabby Kitts believes those ties, along with returning four of five starters, give the Jackets an edge. “It’s really promising with so much talent at such a young age,” Kitts said. “They’ve got the physical skill, but now they believe they belong. Every shot counts, not just for them but for their teammates too.”

At River Falls, Scaletta fired a 69, proving the low-70s are becoming the norm for this group. Along with Erlenkeuser, and Schulze, players like and Hanna Erlenkeuser give Hanna depth across the lineup.

With only one senior, the Jackets are built for the present and the future. “They’ve been in that spot before,” Kitts said. “That experience really helps going into this season.”

Chesnee Eagles

The Chesnee Eagles have been the gold standard in 2A, riding a streak of four straight state titles. Much of that success came from the Roberts sisters — Sydney (now at Clemson) and Emily (now at Anderson) — who each collected state titles and state player of the year honors. With them gone, Coach Kyle Scruggs is focused on writing the next chapter.

The Eagles still bring back experienced leaders. Abigail Watson, Jada Flynn, and Abby Harrington were all part of last year’s championship roster and know what it takes to win at the state level. Newcomers like Amelia Sheilds, Lily Turner and Savannah Bishop add depth and are learning to compete at the 18-hole tournament pace.

Scruggs pointed to the short game as the biggest area for improvement. “We probably threw away 10 to 15 shots around the greens today,” he said. “Every single player can get better there.”

Still, the Eagles’ winning experience is an asset. “The first one is the hardest,” Scruggs said. “Once you get one, you believe you can do it again. If they buy in and keep improving every day, I think we can get another one done.”

Chesnee may not be as dominant as in past years, but they’re still dangerous — and no one in 2A is eager to see them in October.

Some teams will begin region play against individual schools, while others have set their schedules to focus on one- and two-day tournaments. The next big test for the top teams in the state comes at the Palmetto Preview on September 2 at the Mid Carolina Club.