St. Clairsville continues dominant run with another Buckeye 8 golf title

ST. CLAIRSVILLE - Webster's Dictionary defines the word dynasty as a powerful group, family, or team that dominates a specific field for a long time.

All of those describe the 2026 St. Clairsville boys' golf team to a tee.

The Red Devils once again flexed their muscles Tuesday on the cloud-covered Belmont Hills Country Club layout as the Buckeye 8 Tournament came to a conclusion over the course of two days - the first occurring on Aug. 18 at the Cadiz Country Club where they carded a 290 for a 13-stroke lead over Union Local.

Despite firing a 300 on its home course, St. Clairsville won by a whopping 51 shots over second-place Martins Ferry, which nipped Union Local, 641-642. Beaver Local (352) was fourth and Barnesville (663) rounded out the top 5. It was the Red Devils seventh straight championship.

"It's exciting. These guys work super, super hard and they put tons of miles on this summer playing in tournaments all over," second-year St. Clairsville head coach Heidi Mooney said. "I think some of them averaged three or four tournaments a week, so they worked really, really hard and they're out here - self-motivated - every day practicing. They are a great bunch."

Part of that bunch are Mooney's twin sons - Beau and Ryan - who both finished in the top 5 of the individual portion of the tournament. Beau earned medalist honors with a rock-solid 71-71 142, while Ryan was fifth at 151 (73-78). Beau and Ryan are part of triplets with sister, Julia.

Fellow junior Mason Conway was runnerup with a 76-72 148, while senior Mavrik Malin was one shot back (70-79) in third. Malin was the first-day leader and is a four-time Buckeye 8 champion.

"You never know who is going to be the lead guy because all five of them are solid players," Heidi Mooney added. "We have one senior, three juniors and a freshman who has been hitting the ball solidly for us."

She was referring to Mason's younger brother, Jackson Conway (78-81 159) who earned honorable mention.

"This group has a nice team chemistry going. They hang out together doing all kinds of 'good' boy things," Coach Mooney noted.

"Last year I played decently. I shot 78-78 and made the first team," Beau Mooney said of his 14-stroke turnaround. "This year I played really well. I put in a lot of work over the winter."

This isn't Mooney's first title. He was also medalist in the Junior Division during the 2026 Kalkreuth Amateur in which Mason Conway and Ryan Mooney tied for second and Malin finished sixth.

"Playing in big tournaments like the Kalkreuth really helps me with my nerves," Beau Mooney advised.

Beau Mooney, Mason Conway, Malin and Ryan Mooney made the all-Buckeye 8 first team, along with Beaver Local's Eli Stewart (76-74 150) and Harrison Central's Cash Meadows (77-76 153).

Earning honorable mention in addition to Jackson Conway (78-81 159) were Martins Ferry's duo of Dylan Pielech (72-82 154) and Leo Zambori (74-85 159); Union Local's tandem of Landen Hanasky (74-85 159) and Liam Roe (75-84 159); and Barnesville's twosome of Dylan Gallagher (78-80 158) and Blake Shugert (77-82 159).

Harrison Central (713) finished sixth, followed by Brooke (714); East Liverpool (727); Cambridge (773) and Indian Creek (801). Buckeye Local didn't field a full team.