South Panola won 89 consecutive football games and five straight state championships at state’s highest levels. These teams were so great that they were called the University of South Panola. There have been times when we had strong teams that excelled in baseball, basketball, and track and fields. You should not overlook the tiny Oak Hill Academy, West Point (with 364 students in grades K-12), which recently won its sixth consecutive state championship in golf. Oak Hill principal and Athletic Director Phil Ferguson, who was formerly a head coach at Bruce and Tupelo, said that “we’ve become South Panola in high school golf.” Randy Watkins, a Jackson pro and golf course owner, said that “I believe it’s safe for me to say that these Oak Hill golf teams have been the best in Mississippi history.” He was a former national junior champion. Oak Hill won the 3A private school championship tournament at Canton Country Club by 83 shots. That’s right, 83. Oak Hill could have scored five points instead of the four required and still won by seven shots. Oak Hill won the Jackson Prep Invitational, Patrick Farms. The team score was 16 under par 272. Oak Hill was actually three-under-par for 69. A score of 69 would be considered a runaway medalist in high school golf tournaments. Oak Hill could not even use it. Crazy? It gets even more crazy. Oak Hill was last in a golf tournament and didn’t win it in 2018. Senior Wells Williams was the most skilled player in this year’s team. He averaged 67.7 strokes per game. Williams was also class valedictorian and shot an 11-under-par 61 in one tournament at The Refuge, Flowood. He has also signed a Vanderbilt golf scholarship. Cohen Trolio, last year’s most successful player, was named to the All-Southeastern Conference freshman squad at LSU. Cohen’s older brother, Collins Trolio (a senior-to be), averaged 69 strokes per game and has already committed to playing college golf at Ole Miss. Oak Hill could easily defeat lower-level college teams. Oak Hill could be a national competitor in high school sports. Many Oak Hill players have achieved this feat. Cohen Trolio, 17, reached the semifinals at the U.S. Amateur at Pinehurst. Williams reached the semifinals at the U.S. just this week. Amateur Four Ball at Birmingham Country Club. Cohen Trolio is currently ranked the 118th most skilled amateur golfer in the entire world. Oak Hill is not only a star, but also has a lot of depth. Jake Blanton (10th grader) averaged 72 strokes per round. He seems to be destined for Division I college golf. Jackson Cook, a ninth-grader and potential DI recruit, averaged 72. Seth Lockhart, George Bryan and George Bryan, statistically the fifth and sixth most valuable players on the team, would be playing No. 1. on most high-school teams. You may be asking how this is possible. How is it possible for a small private school to produce such a powerful team? Let’s start with V.J., the team’s volunteer coach. Trolio is the father of Collins and Cohen. He is one of the most respected teachers on the planet. Golf Digest ranked him among the 100 best instructors in the country. This magazine, which is considered the bible of golf, has named Trolio Mississippi as the best teacher for seven consecutive year. V.J. was available for me to chat when I called him. V.J. Trolio was in Tulsa, helping Mississippian Chad Ramey with preparations for the PGA Championship. He also kept up with Cohen Trolio at the NCAA Regional in California, and Williams at the USGA Four Ball Championship. Trolio, the ninth-year coach of the team, said that “we’ve got quite a good thing going for such small schools.” “It’s a small school doing big things,” Trolio, the team’s ninth year coach, said. It helps that West Point has Old Waverly and Mossy Oak as their home courses. George Bryan, the founder of both courses and one the most important movers and shakers of Mississippi golf history, has two grandsons on the team, including Williams. Tim Yelverton is another well-known teacher who helps with the program. Talent is essential in any sport. The West Point area has plenty of it. Hunter Adkins, now a star for the Southern Miss golf program, was the first of a long line of college golfers. Next came Cohen Trolio and Williams, with many more to come. V.J. V.J. Golf championships for girls are not sponsored by the Mid-South Association of Independent Schools, which is the sanctioning body of Mississippi private school athletics. An Oak Hills girls’ team won five out of six events against all-girls teams in this spring. Two Oak Hill girls qualified for and participated in boys tournaments. V. J. Trolio stated, “We have some players who will certainly play women’s college golf.” This dominance can last for how long? V. J. Trolio stated, “I don’t know how long this dominance will last, but we’ve got some fourth- and fifth-graders who can truly play.” It’s going to keep rolling for a while.