Henlopen All Conference Golf teams named
June 5, 2026
The Henlopen Athletic Conference named its 2026 All-Conference winners at the May 19 HAC Tournament at Plantation Lakes in Millsboro. The honorees earned their spots based upon their average scores relative to par during the regular season conference matches.
Jake Hollerback of Sussex Central led the First Team category, followed by Kingston Davis in second place. Ellie Walls of Indian River took the fourth spot, with Ryan McNett of Cape Henlopen in fifth and Trevor Clarke of Sussex Central in the final sixth spot.
Nick DeEmedio of Sussex Academy came in first among the Second Team, with fellow Seahawk Jordan Green in fourth. Joseph Neumann of Sussex Central was fifth, with Cape Henlopen’s Jack Tunnell in sixth and Chad Hughey in ninth.
Team coaches also made Honorable Mention selections for their respective schools. These included Gabby Hamstead of Cape Henlopen, Josh Dempsey of Sussex Central, and Ryan Kline of Sussex Academy.
Sussex Central’s Brett Thomas was named Coach of the Year.
All-State golf honors announced
All-State golf team honors were conferred May 27 at the conclusion of the 2026 DIAA State Championships at Baywood Greens, with several Cape Region golfers among the recipients.
The Delaware Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association selected the winners based on the final DIAA handicap index rankings derived from the regular season match scores. Post-season scores such as the State Championships did not count.
The top six boys and top six girls earned first team all-state in their respective categories. The second team all-state winners came from the second set of six boys and six girls.
Ellie Walls of Indian River and Gabby Hamstead of Cape Henlopen were awarded first team All-State in the Girls’ group. Avery McCoy of Delmarva Christian High School received a second-team All-State Girls’ medal.
Kingston Davis and Ryan McNett of Cape Henlopen made second team All-State in the Boys group, along with Jake Hollerback of Sussex Central.
First Tee-Delaware participant awarded ShopRite Scholarship
The ShopRite LPGA Powered by Wakefern First Tee Scholarship program awarded a $5,000 award to Sarah Lester-Stranick, a recent Sussex Academy graduate, during ceremonies held May 31 at Seaview Resort, site of the long-running LPGA tournament.
Celine Boutier with Sarah Lester-Stranick and Wakefern officials
She is the second First Tee-Delaware participant to receive the award.
Nathaniel Norris won previously in 2025.
“Sarah’s achievement is a testament to the power of what happens when young people are encouraged to step into their potential,” said Leslie McGuigan, Director – Communications & Donor Relations of First Tee – Delaware. “We are incredibly proud of her, and we are grateful to ShopRite, Wakefern, and the LPGA for creating opportunities like this.”
Relief is just a step away
The uphill par-3, 190-yard 15th hole on the Bay Course at Seaview Resort presents a tough challenge.
The elevation change adds about a half-club of additional carry distance. A steep slope separates the right side of the green from a shell-covered cart path, with an equally deep bunker on the left.
15th green, Bay Course, Seaview Resort
During the May 31 final round at the ShopRite LPGA Powered by Wakefern, Gabriela Ruffels was not having a good day. After the 14th hole the Australian pro stood at 2-over par for the round and 4-over for the tournament.
A brisk wind helped push Ruffels’ tee shot to the right, missing the green. From my vantage point left of the green, it looked like her ball landed in fescue rough.
Ruffels and her caddie weren’t acting like it, however. After a few minutes’ discussion they called for an LPGA Rules official.
He soon drove over. In short order I watched her pick up her ball, make a drop, and flop a wedge shot across the green, 15 feet or so past the hole. Ruffels two-putted from there for yet another bogey.
The official told me Ruffels’ ball had come to rest on a step, part of a set helping golfers climb up to the green from the cart path. The steps are treated as an immovable obstruction, giving Ruffels the right to take free relief from the condition.
Local club competition results
The Mulligan’s Pointe Ladies league played a Fewest Putts game June 2.
Brenda Lewis won first place in the first flight, with Kathy Hudak in second and Tammy Findlay in third.
Debby Quinn won the second flight, followed by Janece Hausch in second and Kathy Ragolia in third.
The Kings Creek CC 9-Hole LGA League played a team Shamble – Best Ball of Four game May 28.
Tish Brey, Kathleen Irwin, Jewell Estes, and Juanita Wilson won the first flight. Marni Goldberg, Susan Griesemer, Sandy Singer, and Kaye Allison took second, Sandy Neverett, Kara Bourdreau, and Joanne Yurik finished third.
Diane Knizer, Sally Chamberlain, Barbara Morales, and Brenda Schilli won the second flight. Margaret Moore, Kathy Andrus, Stacy Paris, and Annette Stellhorn finished second. Sherry Schafer, Beth Andrews, Pamela Cranston, and Donno Romer took third.
The Kings Creek CC 18-Hole LGA League played the same team Shamble event May 28.
Deborah Ward, Lynn Sweeney, Celeste Beaupre, and blind draw Polly Donaldson won first place. Lisa Schofield, Ann Barry, Jeannine Doane, and blind draw Arlyce Dubbin finished second. Jacqueline Everett, Jean Chalastawa, Katie Heintz, and Polly Donaldson took third.