Robin Rosado said in his six years as The First Academy boys golf head coach, he’s never had a player as smart as Mingbo Jiang.
And in Jiang’s final high school season, he displayed his golf intelligence by finishing on top in the Class 1A state finals with back-to-back rounds of 68 at Mission Inn’s El Campeon Course. That championship and those scores to culminate an outstanding career made Jiang a lock as the Orlando Sentinel Boys Golfer of the Year for 2025.
“His success is a product of working extremely hard on his game and always learning to be better,” Rosado said. “He has the best golf IQ I’ve ever seen. He’s hitting the ball much further, and his love of competition elevated his ability to score very low on a consistent basis.”
Jiang had seven rounds of 68 or lower in tournament play, including an incredibly consistent postseason. The two 68s in the state finals were preceded by 68s in District 7 and Region 2, resulting in second place at both of those qualifying meets.
He also took first place in the Cognizant High School Invitational with rounds of 66 and 71, won the Qdoba Tournament of Champions with 70 and 64, and was fourth in the Wolverines vs. the World meet with 67 and 73.
The string of low rounds in big events gave Jiang the No. 1 ranking on iWanamaker.com for all classes for 9-hole rounds. He was ranked No. 3 for 18-hole rounds.
Jiang’s state finals effort helped TFA finish second to Benjamin for the second time in three years, and Jiang became the third individual state champ for the Royals. The others were Mohit Balaji in 2020 and John Dubois in 2018.
“It’s very special to be able to finish my high school career with the win,” Jiang said. “It’s definitely one of the goals I was hoping for. I see myself as a student of the game, and there is so much that I still have to learn. Practice is very important, but I make sure I’m practicing the right things.”
Jiang signed to play college golf for USC.
“It’s been wonderful coaching Mingbo,” Rosado added. “He’s been a team player since his freshman year, buying into our culture. He loves his teammates, and has been an encourager for those around him as a great leader.”
USC signee Mingbo Jiang won the Class 1A boys golf state title and led his TFA team to a runner-up finish. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)
Sentinel standouts
Chase Bauer, Windermere Prep sophomore
Buzz: Earned a second straight all-area spot after 69 and 73 at 1A state finals, 73 in Region 2, 71 in District 6 (first place), and 64 at Country Club of Orlando.
Joshua Castellanos, The First Academy junior
Buzz: Shot rounds of 74 and 77 at 1A state for the state runners-up after 67 in District 7 (first), 74-67 in the Sam Ryder Invite, and 70-68 at the Qdoba Tournament of Champions.
Nathan Erickson, The First Academy junior
Buzz: Shot 75-72 at 1A state to help TFA finish second, after he had 70 in Region 2, 69 in District 7, and placed first in the Sam Ryder Invite with 66-65.
Ayden Febres, St. Cloud freshman
Buzz: Burst onto the high school scene with 66 in District 6 and 65 in Region 2 (both first place) to lead the Bulldogs to 3A state tourney, where he shot 78-73.
Luke Gossett, Circle Christian senior
Buzz: After winning 1A title last year he earned another all-area honor with two 70 rounds at state for third place, 73 in Region 2, 69 in District 7, and 65-72 in the Sam Ryder Invite.
Christian Koehn, Lake Highland Prep sophomore
Buzz: Earned a second straight all-area honor with 72-73 at 1A state finals after shooting 74 in Region 2, and 70 in District 7, while also posting 68 in the Oviedo Invite (first).
Hung Khanh Le, Montverde Academy senior
Buzz: Early in the season he shot 63 to take first at the Country Club of Orlando, before posting 69 in District 6, 71 in Region 2 and back-to-back rounds of 75 at 1A state.
Wensheng Liu, Lake Mary Prep senior
Buzz: After shooting 68 in District 7 (second place) and 66 in Region 2 (first place), he posted rounds of 73 and 71 in the 1A state finals to finish ninth.
Jack Mokris, Bishop Moore sophomore
Buzz: Runner-up 68-72 effort helped Hornets win the 2A state title after posting 66 in Region 2 (second), 62 in District 6 (first), and 68-67 at Lakewood Ranch Invite (first).
Karl Stenson, Circle Christian freshman
Buzz: Earned a second all-area honor in two years of high school after 69-74 at 1A state finals, 69 in Region 2, 70 in District 7, and 69 at Country Club of Orlando.
Bishop Moore’s teamwork helps golf star Jack Mokris deal with diabetes
Honorable mention
Tyler Creavy, TFA sophomore
Noah Manly, Bishop Moore sophomore
Arnold Pouncy, St. Cloud sophomore
Federico Tadini, Lake Nona senior
Orlando Torres, Circle Christian junior
Bishop Moore golfers make Hornets history with FHSAA 2A state championship
All-area teams consist of FHSAA series participant schools in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake and southwest Volusia counties. Selections were made by the Sentinel staff in consultation with area coaches.
Varsity content editor Buddy Collings can by email at bcollings@orlandosentinel.com.
