2026 Archbishop Spalding Boys Golf Season Recap: Cavaliers Continue Their Winning Tradition

Success has become the expectation for Archbishop Spalding’s boys golf program, and the 2026 season once again demonstrated why the Cavaliers remain one of the premier golf programs in Maryland. While Spalding narrowly missed a run to the top of the team standings in one of the nation’s toughest high school golf leagues, the Cavaliers still produced one of the state’s best individual golfers, finished with another winning season, and showed that the future of the program remains exceptionally bright.

Led by head coach R. Van Zandt, Spalding finished the dual-match season with an 11-5-2 overall record and a 10-4-2 mark in MIAA competition, continuing the program’s long-standing tradition of competing among Maryland’s elite independent schools.

The biggest story of the year belonged to sophomore Grant Christiansen, who captured the 2026 MIAA Individual Stroke Play Championship, joining an impressive list of Cavalier golfers who have etched their names into conference history. Christiansen’s victory also reinforced Archbishop Spalding’s reputation as one of Maryland’s premier golf programs.

A Competitive Season

Every season in the MIAA is a challenge. Schools such as Calvert Hall, St. Paul’s, Loyola Blakefield, Gilman, McDonogh and Boys’ Latin annually field golfers capable of winning individual and team championships.

Spalding answered that challenge throughout the spring.

The Cavaliers consistently played quality golf throughout league play, finishing well above .500 despite facing one of the deepest conference schedules in the country. Their 11 victories reflected the team’s balance and depth rather than relying solely on one superstar.

While the Cavaliers fell short of winning another conference team championship, they remained among the league’s strongest programs from opening day through the postseason.

Christiansen Headlines the Season

Every successful team needs a player capable of carrying the flag, and Christiansen did exactly that.

Entering the MIAA Individual Stroke Play Championship, the sophomore was viewed as one of several contenders. After the opening round, Christiansen sat atop the leaderboard by one stroke, but the championship remained wide open with multiple golfers within striking distance.

Instead of backing down under pressure, Christiansen delivered another composed performance in the final round to secure the championship.

Winning the MIAA Individual Championship is one of the most prestigious accomplishments in Maryland high school golf. Every year, the tournament features golfers who will continue their careers at Division I and Division II colleges.

Christiansen’s victory immediately placed him alongside some of the greatest golfers in Archbishop Spalding history.

Continuing a Rich Tradition

The Cavaliers have enjoyed decades of success on Maryland golf courses.

Previous MIAA individual champions from Spalding include Chris Navarro and Kaitlyn Rohrback, while the program has also captured multiple MIAA team championships over the past two decades.

Christiansen became the latest name added to that distinguished list.

Programs don’t consistently produce champions by accident. Spalding’s continued success reflects excellent coaching, talented student-athletes and a culture that values preparation and consistency.

Team Depth

Although Christiansen received much of the attention, golf remains a team sport.

Spalding’s varsity roster featured a blend of experienced seniors, talented juniors and promising underclassmen, including:

• Calhan Cassidy
• William Cumming
• Jakob Davis
• Connor Dovi
• Aidan Frank
• Payton Little
• Harrison McCormick
• Andrew Mish
• Charles Solomon

That combination of experience and youth helped the Cavaliers remain competitive throughout the season and positions the program well for 2027.

Strong Senior Leadership

Veterans such as Cassidy, Cumming and Mish helped provide stability throughout the spring.

Their experience proved valuable during conference matches where every stroke mattered.

Those seniors also helped mentor younger golfers who will now inherit larger roles next season.

Young Talent Emerging

Perhaps the most exciting development was the emergence of several underclassmen.

Christiansen still has multiple years remaining in his high school career.

Davis and McCormick also gained valuable varsity experience that should pay dividends in future seasons.

Programs that sustain success develop golfers before they become stars, and Spalding appears well positioned in that regard.

The MIAA Challenge

Few conferences nationally compare with the MIAA.

Every week features golfers capable of shooting under par.

Every dual match requires mental toughness.

Every tournament includes future collegiate players.

Finishing with a winning conference record against that level of competition represents another successful season for the Cavaliers.

What Made This Team Successful

Several factors contributed to Spalding’s success:

• Consistent scoring throughout the lineup.
• Veteran leadership.
• Emerging underclassmen.
• Strong coaching.
• Excellent course management.
• Mental toughness during pressure situations.

Those qualities allowed the Cavaliers to compete with every opponent they faced.

Areas for Improvement

Like every team, Spalding has room to grow.

The Cavaliers will likely focus on:

• Greater scoring consistency from the middle of the lineup.
• Turning close losses into victories.
• Building even more tournament depth.
• Continuing to develop younger golfers.

Given the returning talent, those goals appear realistic.

Looking Ahead to 2027

The future remains bright.

Christiansen returns as one of Maryland’s elite golfers.

Several talented juniors will also be back.

The younger players gained invaluable varsity experience.

That combination should allow Spalding to once again compete for conference championships next spring.

Final Thoughts

Winning championships in the MIAA is never easy.

Yet Archbishop Spalding once again proved it belongs among Maryland’s elite.

The Cavaliers posted another winning season, remained competitive throughout conference play, developed several promising young golfers and celebrated one of the state’s biggest individual accomplishments when Grant Christiansen claimed the MIAA Individual Stroke Play Championship.

That championship alone made 2026 memorable.

Combined with the program’s overall success and bright future, it became another chapter in one of Maryland’s strongest high school golf traditions.

Season Highlights

• Overall Record: 11-5-2
• MIAA Record: 10-4-2
• MIAA Individual Champion: Grant Christiansen
• Winning season in one of the nation’s toughest high school golf conferences
• Strong returning core for 2027

Final Grade: A-

Archbishop Spalding did not capture a team championship, but the Cavaliers still produced one of Maryland’s top golfers, posted another winning season against elite competition, and laid the foundation for another championship run in 2027. Few programs in the state can match the consistency that Spalding continues to display year after year.