Boys golf has a storied history at Saint Stephen’s that includes three state championships, a trio of prep
All-Americans, and a lengthy roster of successful collegiate and professional performers. The latest state
crown came in 2021, when the Falcons entered the final round trailing Lake Mary Prep by three strokes
but produced a scorching 287 team score to ultimately win by 11. SSES dominated the individual
leaderboard, as well. Alex Long was the tournament medalist at 142. His brother Ben and teammate Leo
Li finished tied for second, just one stroke back.
That championship was the culmination of a run that began in 2020, when the Long brothers paced the
Falcons to a district title and their first state tournament berth since 2017. SSES finished in seventh place
overall and both Longs were in the top 10 individually – Ben in third and Alex in seventh. Led once again
by the brothers, the 2022 Falcons qualified for their third consecutive state tournament appearance and
finished eighth.
Tyler Leon led the Falcons to their first FHSAA state team title in 2000 and carded rounds of 66 and 69 to
capture the individual crown. Two years later, as a senior, Leon was named an All-American and signed
with Oklahoma State, where he helped the Cowboys win the 2006 NCAA Championship. He went on to
play professionally in 11 PGA Tour events. The Falcons also won the state title in 2004, led by two-time
team captain Michael Amato. Amato was runner-up for Florida player of the year honors that season
and later starred at Brown University.
The list of prominent SSES alumni also includes All-Americans Leif Olson (1998) and Mike Barbosa
(1999). Olson was a four-year team captain for the Falcons before attending Duke University. He was a
key player with the Blue Devils before turning pro in 2004. Olson teed off in 23 PGA Tour events during
his career. His best season came in 2009, when he made the cut five times, finished third in the Turning
Stone Resort Championship, and earned more than $400,000. Barbosa starred at Georgia Tech and
qualified to play in the U.S. Open as an amateur in 2011.
Other notable Falcons who have gone on to play in college include Sean Kelly (South Carolina), brothers
Scott and Rick Lamb (Santa Clara), Ryan Benevides (Rice), Connor Lynch (Brown), Jack Cen (Cornell),
Ryan Kinkead (Boston College), Massimo Mbetse (USF), Ben Long (Kansas), and Leo Li (Colgate).
SSES advanced to four consecutive state tournaments between 2014-17, finishing 5th (2014), 7th
(2015), 3rd (2016) and 2nd (2017). Individually, at least one Saint Stephen’s golfer placed in the Top 10
at state in four straight tournaments – David Hu (9th/2017), Alan Klenor (10th/2016), Justin Wynen
(8th/2015) and Jack Cen (6th/2014).