Stevenson repeats as state golf champions

SAN GABRIEL — Last week Griffin Didier was the throw-out score for Stevenson School, a non-factor in the boys golf program’s bid to return to the state finals.

Making amends eight days later on high school golf’s biggest stage might be an understatement for the junior, who will cherish this moment for the rest of his life.

“The adrenaline is still pumping,” Didier said. “It hasn’t hit me, it hasn’t kicked in. At some point, I’m sure it will. It’s a moment that I’ll never forget. The drive home will be one of the best drives, just listening to music.”

Didier not only shared medalist honors for the Pirates with Zachary Hawkins, but his 2-under on Wednesday put him in the top three in the state.

More importantly, it put Stevenson into the spotlight as it captured its second consecutive California Interscholastic Federation championship, posting a 12-stroke win over runner-up De La Salle at San Gabriel Country Club.

“For these guys to go on the road in southern California, foreign territory, a course we don’t know at all, and not just win it, but win it decisively, is a reflection of their resilience and trust in each other,” Stevenson coach Justin Bates said.

The Pirates, who won the state title last year at Poppy Hills by five strokes, gained a measure of redemption over De La Salle, which beat them last week at the Northern California finals by 13 strokes.

“I have been doing this a long time,” Bates said. “I think finishing in second last week took some pressure off them. We just kind of cruised in. I don’t think anyone was expecting the kind of day we had.”

In an effort to knock out some nerves or anxiety, the Pirates brought their baseball mitts with them and spent Tuesday just playing catch at a park near their hotel.

“I felt like it loosened all of us up,” said Hawkins, a member of last year’s state title team. “We were so hyped up to be here in the first place. We were looking forward to the day.”

Didier, who hadn’t been a part of the Pirates’ scoring the past two tournaments, focused more on his mental approach, rather than his game.

“My swings have been good throughout the year,” Didier said. “But I need to stay in the moment and be committed to each shot. I tried to be more focused, not let a bad hole get in my head.”

Didier did alter his approach to the tournament, deciding not to peek at the leaderboard on his phone during his 18 holes, eliminating any potential or unnecessary distractions.

“I decided today, this morning, not to look at it (leaderboard),” Didier said. “Sometimes I find myself getting a little more nervous if I’m back a couple of holes. I just stayed in the moment.”

As a team, the Pirates shot 1-over par, with Hawkins also finishing 2-under and freshman Dylan Hirst — the medalist at the Central Coast Section finals — carding a 1-under.

“I feel like I still need to give it 30 more minutes to sink in,” Hawkins said. “I’m still running off the adrenaline. I’m trying to just soak it all in. The moment was not too big for these guys. We were a well-rounded team.”

All six golfers for Stevenson have been medalists at one point during a season that has seen them win a 16th straight Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan Division title and a fourth consecutive CCS crown.

“It wasn’t as much anger as it was frustration last week,” Didier said. “I had to put it out of my head quickly. The one thing about this team is I know I can ride their shoulders if I’m struggling, and someone else will pick me up.”

Teeing off with the first group at 7:30 a.m., Didier got into a rhythm on the links by paring his first hole, collecting nine pars and five birdies, sharing the lead through 11 holes at 2-under.

“I kind of had a feeling coming in,” Didier said. “I’ve done all the work. The game plan was to just have fun. Pars are always good, as is consistency.”

Hawkins has not only served as a leader, along with Calvin Etcheverry, on a team with no seniors, but has led by example all season with his ability to shoot under par in clutch situations.

“Zach Hawkins has literally been the past most consistent golfer I’ve ever had,” insisted Bates, who has been at Stevenson for 19 years. “When you’re playing team golf, you need a guy like Zac that can shoot 1-under or 2-under.”

Hawkins, who was ninth last year as a sophomore at the state tournament, and Etcheverry are the only players who were a part of last year’s state title team.

Etcheverry, who finished second to Hirst at the CCS finals, finished 1-over, with Ethan Merrick and William Keszler being a part of the Pirates’ podium finish.

“The best thing about the finish was when Calvin birdied the 18th,” Bates said. “Then Dylan Hirst parred the 18th. That is when we felt we had separation. I just wanted to be in the moment.”

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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 2:59 PM.