Nail-biting ending for the ages, Graham wins VHSL golf championship by one shot

BLUEFIELD, VA (WVNS) – After a heartbreaking second-place finish in the 2024 VHSL golf state championships, the Graham G-Men roared back to become “the Kings of the Commonwealth” and win it all at the 2025 VHSL Class 2 State Championship.

It all came down to one shot in Tappahannock, and one shot was all the G-Men needed. District player of the year and Freshman Noah Mulkey came in as the 6th man. He birdied on the 17th hole and bogeyed on the 18th to hold even – giving Graham the victory with a team score of 297 (+13), beating 2nd place Windsor who shot 298 (+14). Mulkey tied for fourth place individually.

Coach Colby Hill said they did not tell Mulkey how much weight was on his shoulders until afterwards.

“A lot of people were asking questions, Why are six man was the one shooting even a leading the way. But like I said, he got to that sixth spot because his region score was not the best, so he brought up the anchor. I think it was all meant to be. I could not have drawn it up any better than to have him coming down the stretch and closing it out for us,” said Coach Hill.

Hill explained the team totally bought into the team aspect of golf, which greatly helped their championship performances.

“They were able to put their egos aside and care more about the team. They understood that some of them were not going to win the individual championship once [they] were halfway through. How do you lock in and understand that this is bigger than me? There are other objects or goals in place. Our six really developed that mindset throughout the year,” added Coach Hill.

The Graham golfers have done it by committee all year long.

Senior Cooper Hale did well enough to become a low medalist at the championship after an outstanding spell at the district tourney. Junior Bailey Goodson won the region tournament, as well as region player of the year. Freshman Brogan Gilpin was solid all year, senior Alana Hamaty was consistent throughout every tournament – shooting between 74 and 80 every time according to Coach Hill, plus some great resilience was shown by Dawson Goins.

“I bet if you could drive up to the golf course right now, there [are] five or six of them playing golf right now. Just just a group of really dedicated to to the game, working on their craft and putting the time in and playing tournaments and practicing and just doing what it takes to become the best golfer they can,” said Coach Hill.

2025 was Coach Hill’s third year overseeing the program. In just three short years, he has been a state runner-up and state champion.