A look into the Rocket golf season
The Catholic High School golf team has dominated the Arkansas high school golf stage for three years, due to the sudden spark from the class of 2027, this includes top players Jack Denery ’27, an Ole Miss commit, Luke Schmigelow ’27, and Davis Crow ’27. The Rockets have won their conference three times and the state championship once in 2024.
Four-year head coach Steve Squires said, “So far, the best team was the 2024 team. The talent level was good, but the team chemistry was off the charts. The 2026 team is more competitive from a talent standpoint, and team chemistry seems to be coming together.” Teams with good chemistry have been proven to be a crucial part of success and winning championships. Mr. Squires said, “I believe a good environment on any sports team stems from shared goals and good team chemistry.”
Last year, the Rockets traveled to Fayetteville to play in the Bill Agler High School Invitational, which invites the best teams in Arkansas to play. The Rockets won this tournament, but the team was especially grateful for the team bonding. Mr. Schmigelow said, “My favorite memory was the Bill Agler tournament last year when we won the tournament and got to grow closer as a team in Fayetteville.”
The team’s mentality plays an important role in the Rockets’ success. Mr. Schmiegelow said, “Our golf team plays well because we play together almost every day and have known each other for so long.” The team playing together in and out of tournaments throughout the summer and into the fall helps team morale.
Assistant Coach Jeremy Wolfe said, “I would love for this to be a perennial powerhouse situation.” Mr. Wolfe and Mr. Steve Squires have held the team to a high standard. Both coaches push every player to become the best version of themselves on and off the course. All of the boys want to be in the top five and go to the state championship. Mr. Wolfe said, “The kids we have are driven to succeed. They’re competitive, and they want to win.”
In Arkansas, the best teams are nominated for the Professional Golfers Association National High School Invitational. This tournament invites all the high school teams that win their state championship. The Rockets competed in the tournament twice in 2024, and 2025. In 2024 the Rockets placed 24th out of 50 teams, and in 2025 the Rockets placed 10th out of 55 teams.
As the 2026 season is underway, the team is showing promise to be one of the state’s best. As of writing this article, the Rockets are ranked 35th in the nation. This year’s team is as good as in recent years. Mr. Squires said, “In 2024, it wasn’t as difficult to determine who would play in the state tournament. The 2026 team has twelve players with a realistic chance of making the state team.” The Rockets’ competitiveness has challenged the coaches to build the strongest team possible.
The Rockets’ state squad includes Jack Denery ’27, Chase Stine ’29, Luke Schmigelow ’27, Davis Crow ’27, Henry Wolfe ’29, and John Tafner ’27. Junior Aaron Tong ’28 said, “This takes the stress off just one or two people and makes the load more bearable for the other guys.” In past years, the state team has been a way easier to pick the top five, while this year’s team has come down to guys within a tenth of a shot from each other in order to make the cut. Jack Denery is the captain of the Catholic High golf team and is ranked third in the nation according to high school rankings. He has multiple wins on the Arkansas State Golf Association, American Junior Golf Association, and many other junior tours.
Before the championship, Luke Schmigelow said, “It feels weird that this might be some of the last competitive golf I will play. However, I feel as if this is the best I’ve ever played and believe we will win the state championship this year.”
The Rockets went on to win the 2026 State Championship.
Chase Stine
