MOUNT DORA, Fla. — Mount Dora Christian Academy junior Dylan Lapp has qualified to compete in the FHSAA Regionals after an impressive 76 in the District 6 Championship. His performance was a high note in a record-breaking day for MDCA’s golf team, who surged to a fifth-place finish with a team score of 331, only one stroke shy of fourth place, in an event where Windermere Prep secured the top team position with a score of 288.

Lapp’s standout 76 automatically qualified him for Regionals, a feat made all the more impressive given the windy conditions that challenged even seasoned players. His success comes just a year after MDCA finished with a team score of 428, a result that left them last in the district. Since then, MDCA has slashed almost 100 strokes from its score, finishing 10th in 2023 and reaching fifth place this year. Notably, all five MDCA golfers broke 90, marking a significant improvement for a team that previously had no players under that score in the district competition.

(This has been a historic season for MDCA. They have put Lake County on notice and this is the best season in at least a decade for the program.)

In addition to Lapp, MDCA’s roster included standout performances from Jonah Musselwhite, who shot a personal record 84, and freshman Jackson Graves, whose 86 marked his best score ever and the best score by an MDCA rookie golfer. Braden Hunston and Veydan Diaz also showed marked improvements, each coming within strokes of their personal records.

MDCA’s score of 331 shattered the previous school record of 338, set earlier this season at the Lake County Cup. “The foundation of this team’s SUCCESS was built on FUN and LOVE,” says Mike Considine the head golf coach of MDCA. “The LOVE the kids have for each other and the JOY they get from playing alongside each other in a sport they have made their passion. They enjoy playing Golf with each other so much that it has been difficult getting them off the course each night. Even the day before Districts, which was supposed to be a short practice, they kept wanting to play. It has been a privilege for the coaches to have a front row seat everyday watching them grow as golfers, teammates, and friends. Golf has become an integral part of their lives. The holistic benefits—physical fitness, discipline, work ethic, goal setting, mental toughness, social connections, sense of achievement and fulfillment—all add up to their well being and personal growth.” says coach Considine.

While most of the team’s season may be over, for Dylan Lapp he is preparing for the Regional Finals. One of the highlights of Lapp’s season was winning the Lake County Cup earlier this year when he hit a hole in one on Hole 16 of Harbor Hills Country Club and won by two strokes.

With the team season concluded, Lapp’s journey continues at the Region Championship on November 4 at Seven Springs Country Club in New Port Richey, where he will represent MDCA and aim to qualify for the State Championship at Mission Inn Resort on November 12-13.