Event: 77th Carolinas Junior Boys' Championship
Host Site: Orangeburg Country Club, Orangeburg, S.C.
Playing Dates: June 30-July 2, 2026
Social Media: @CGAGolf1909

Related: Championship Website | Final Leaderboard | Photos

By Vileska Gelpi

ORANGEBURG, S.C. – Connor Wolfe of Blythewood, S.C., captured the 77th Carolinas Junior Boys' Championship at Orangeburg Country Club, pulling away with a five-shot victory after closing with a flawless final round.

Beginning the day with a one-shot lead, Wolfe, a member of the inaugural U.S. National Development Program Team South Carolina, never gave the field an opening. The 15-year-old carded a bogey-free 6-under-par 66, highlighted by birdies on Nos. 1, 3, 5 and 14, to finish the championship at 16-under-par 200 (69-65-66). Wolfe played his final 45 holes without a bogey and finished as the only player in the field to reach 16-under par.

"I didn't have much going through my mind today. I was really just focused on staying in the present and trusting myself," Wolfe said.

The chase behind Wolfe featured several impressive final-round performances. Aidan Wilson of Winston-Salem, N.C., fired the round of the championship, a bogey-free 8-under-par 64, to vault into a tie for second place at 11-under-par 205. Sebastian Balbin of Pinehurst, N.C., matched Wilson at 11-under after closing with a 7-under-par 65, while another U.S. National Development Program Team South Carolina member Davis Petty of Spartanburg, S.C., also shared runner-up honors at 11-under following a final-round 67.

Fellow U.S. National Development Program Team South Carolina member and 2025 HV3 Invitational Champion, Banks Steele of Lancaster, S.C., rounded out the top five, finishing alone in fifth place at 10-under-par 206 after posting a 7-under-par 65 in the final round. Three members of the inaugural Team South Carolina roster finished inside the top five, while fellow Team South Carolina member Dawson Szabo of Greer, S.C., tied for 12th. Team North Carolina members Ian McGee of Durham, N.C., also tied for 12th, while Caedmon Albertyn of Monroe, N.C., and Charlie Horne of Fayetteville, N.C., shared 29th place.

With the victory, Wolfe earned an exemption into the 2026 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa.

"This win is huge for me. The U.S. Junior is the biggest tournament in the world for juniors, and it shows that a lot of the hard work I've put in is paying off. It's awesome," Wolfe said.

The Carolinas Golf Association extends its appreciation to the staff and membership of Orangeburg Country Club for their outstanding hospitality throughout the championship. Special thanks go to General Manager Mark Fragale, Golf Professional Larry Hamberger and Greens Superintendent Alex Tolbert for their support in hosting the event.