Girl's Golf | 10/26/2025 10:19:00 PM

Mt. Pleasant, SC – The Oceanside Collegiate Academy girls golf program owns the distinction of being the first Landsharks' team to capture a state title, winning three straight crowns from 2017-19.
 
But the program has hit on a dry spell at the state level over the last five seasons, despite capturing multiple regional titles and finishing as the state runners up twice. OCA coach Rocky Catalano, who has guided the fortunes of the Landsharks' golf programs for several year, is hoping to turn that trend around this week when the team plays in the Class AAA championship tournament at the Diamondback Golf Club in Loris.
 
Play is scheduled to begin in the 18-team tournament on Monday morning at 8:30 a.m. with tee times going off both the first and 10^th tees. Oceanside is scheduled to begin play at 8:39 a.m., starting from the 10^th tee. The Landsharks are paired with players from Palmetto High and Walhalla High.
  
The Landsharks have played in two multi-team tournaments this year in addition to multiple single and three-team matches. The two tournaments – the Charleston Classic and the May River Invitational – produced mixed results as OCA finished 12^th of 20 teams in the former and 14^th of 17 teams in the latter.
 
OCA owns head-to-head match victories over Philip Simmons and Academic Magnet, twice. The Landsharks fell to Bishop England twice in match play and lost a match to Atlantic Collegiate Academy. One of the squads' final regular season events, a four-way match against Georgetown, Simmons and Magnet, was canceled on October 13.
 
Catalano said he has no idea who the favorite in the event is this year because they didn't see any of the AAA teams during the season.
 
"We just don't have any schools in 3A that we can play down this way," Catalano said. "We didn't even have to compete in a lower state tournament because there aren't enough schools in 3A to qualify. There isn't another team in our region with girls' golf. When we were in 2A, I knew who the good teams were, but in 3A I just don't get a chance to see those teams play."
 
The top teams from 2024 all return for the 2025 championship, with Mountain View Prep set to defend its title. Other returning schools in Class AAA are Waccamaw, Aynor, St. Joseph's, Crescent, Palmetto, Walhalla, Southside Christian, Chapman, Christ Church School, Pendleton, Loris and Belton-Honea Path. Oceanside finished 10^th in last years' 13-team event but hopes to see a move up the leaderboard this year.
  
The Landsharks have more experience this year, but still has a young squad. Junior Sarah Hoffman is the No. 1 player for OCA and will be joined in the championship tournament by junior Emme Hines, junior Carson Chavis, freshman Grayson Cassell and senior Piper Swatt. Sophomore Sarafrances Kaser is slated to replace Swatt in the lineup for the second day of the tournament.
  
The OCA coach said Hoffman's strengths on the course is that she doesn't have any glaring weaknesses.
 
"She shoots in the high 30s and low 40s for nine holes and she is just good at everything," Catalano said. "She doesn't hit the ball very far, but she hits it straight and she hits her irons well and she chips and putts well. She is not very big, so she doesn't hit it very far."
 
Hines was new to the game last year and has had to learn everything about the game while competing.
 
"She could be really good if she would just keep playing," Catalano said. "She will play some during the off season, a little more than the others, and the more she plays, the better she gets."
 
Chavis is the No. 3 player this week and has been a part of the program for three years. 
 
Catalano said Cassell has been the biggest surprise on the team this fall.
 
"She has been really good, shooting in the high 40s, and she is one I think will play year-round," Catalano said. "If she does that, she could be really good, good enough to maybe play in college. She has a great attitude about the game, and everyone likes her. She has been a great addition to our team."
 
Catalano said Cassell is a lot like Hoffman in that she doesn't hit the ball very far, but she hits it straight.
 
"I have been working with her on making a bigger shoulder turn so she can add some distance," Catalano said. "She is just 14 years old, so she has time to get bigger and stronger."
 
Swatt will be the No. 5 on Monday for the Landsharks and has also competed on the OCA track and tennis teams.
 
"I think she may have played on the soccer team at one point as well and she has been a student trainer for the football team this year," Catalano said. "She asks a lot of questions and has tried to learn more about it."
 
Kaser will play the second day from the No. 5 spot for OCA.
 
"She just came to Oceanside this year and she has a lot of talent," Catalano said. "She fights against herself a lot out there, but she hits it a long way and she loves to play. She will definitely play year-around. Hopefully, she will stick with it."
 
The weather forecast for Monday's opening round is cool and breezy with rain chances picking up in the afternoon and evening.

About Oceanside Collegiate Academy: Oceanside Collegiate Academy (OCA), located in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., serves high school students in a safe, small and family-centered setting. Our students seek the opportunity and challenge of rigorous curriculum, high academic standards and elite athletics while earning up to two years of college credit. OCA serves students in grades 9-12 using an honors curriculum in 9th and 10 grades with a dual enrollment curriculum in 11th and 12th grades Learn more about OCA by visiting our website at OceansideCollegiate.Academy and by following us on social media on Facebook, Instagram and X. For video content, visit our YouTube channel.