Fowlkes leads Grizzlies to first-ever district title and postseason berth
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 — 7:51 p.m.
Magnolia, Texas — The Grand Oaks High School girls golf team made school history on Tuesday by winning the program’s first-ever UIL District 13-6A Championship at Lake Windcrest Golf Club. The Grizzlies posted a combined team score of 612 over two rounds (312-304), finishing 22 strokes ahead of the field.
The win not only gave Grand Oaks the 2025 district title, but also clinched their spot in the upcoming UIL 6A Region II Regional Tournament to be held at Eagles Bluff Country Club in Tyler, Texas, on April 14–15.
Played at Lake Windcrest Golf Club for the first time, the district championship unfolded under clear skies and ideal spring conditions. Junior London Fowlkes led the way, becoming the first individual district champion in school history with rounds of 78 and 70 for a 148 total. Teammate and fellow junior Melay Dittrich finished runner-up at 150 (75-75), while sophomore Natasha Milinthachinda tied for third with a 152 (77-75). The top three individual finishes were all held by Grand Oaks players.
Rounding out the team’s top five were juniors Grace Robinson (166) and freshman Vallerie Struve (167), contributing to the championship total and solidifying the team’s depth. All five varsity A-team golfers finished inside the top 15 individually.
“This is an amazing feeling for me,” said Fowlkes, who improved from a fourth-place finish as a freshman and third-place finish as a sophomore. “I never doubted myself and took every shot with confidence. I’m proud to share this with my team—we’ve all worked so hard.”
Reflecting on her final few holes, Fowlkes said, “Seventeen was a little scary—I really wanted to finish strong and play it safe. I knew the worst was a par, and that helped me relax. I didn’t stress. I just stayed locked in.”
She credited her growth and mental toughness to her coach and her trainer, James Larkin of The Woodlands. “Coach always reminds us that golf is about bouncing back. I think that mindset really helped me today,” she said.
Grizzlies head coach Poncho praised both the individual and team effort. “These girls live golf. They love the game and they work at it every day,” he said. “They’ve had a grip on these goals all year long. To see them convert when it mattered most—it’s everything you want as a coach.”
Poncho emphasized the team’s focus from start to finish. “We talked about finishing nine, then six, then three. These girls know how to close. They’ve been on both sides of the pressure, but today they responded. From the first hole yesterday to the last today—they owned it.”
“The best part?” Poncho added, “Nobody graduates. Every one of our top five returns. That gives us a chance to build something lasting and special. But for now, we celebrate this win. They earned it.”
The Grand Oaks B team also capped off a strong season. Sophomore Nia Mott led the B team with a 167 over two rounds. The B team players contributed consistently to both the junior varsity and varsity levels throughout the season, helping build the depth that fueled the A team’s run.
Eight Grand Oaks golfers finished in the top 20 overall, showing the program's strength and consistency.
“This isn’t just a win,” said Fowlkes. “It’s a comeback.
I didn’t qualify my freshman year. My sophomore year, I finished third. Now as a junior, I finally got it done. It feels like the start of something big—for me and for our team.”
With all top contributors returning and a postseason berth locked in, the Grizzlies head into regionals with confidence and momentum.
By The Woodlands Student Center Staff
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