Dragons to meet fresh foes on fairway

July 9, 2025 by Ken Lay

Things will look a bit different for the Clinton High School golf teams in 2025.

Thanks to TSSAA re-alignment and reclassification, the Dragons and Lady Dragons will face a new slate of district and regional opponents as they move to Class A.

Clinton’s district will now include Knoxville Career Magnet Academy, Alcoa, Anderson County, Heritage, South-Doyle, L&N STEM Academy, Fulton and Oneida.

These teams replace Powell, Karns, Knoxville Halls, Campbell County and Knoxville Central as district foes.

One matchup may not have district implications, but it will still carry weight for Clinton Coach Matt Cain.

“I’m kind of excited about the re-alignment,” said Cain, who has led the program for more than a decade. “We’ll see some new opponents, but it’s a bit sad that we won’t play some of the teams we’ve built relationships with. My brother Michael coaches at Campbell County, and we’ll still play them, but it won’t be quite the same.”

Anderson County and Alcoa, both strong programs, remain in Clinton’s district, ensuring tough competition.

“I’m not saying it’s easier or harder, but we’re still going to face good teams,” Cain said.

Key returners for the Dragons include junior Grant Hannah, a 2024 region qualifier, along with juniors Isaiah Williams and Beau Mauri.

“Grant is our leader,” Cain said. “He’s the guy getting everyone together when we don’t have formal practice, making sure the team always has a club in their hands. Isaiah is a multi-sport athlete, and Beau really improved last season and has been strong in early practices.”

The veteran core will be joined by a talented freshman class that Cain called “the best I’ve ever had in more than a decade of coaching.”

Freshmen Finn Pridemore, Parker Douglas and Zander Ford will bolster the roster, along with juniors JP Robbins and Aden Golden, who are standouts on Clinton’s baseball team.

On the girls’ side, the Lady Dragons return three from last year, including two who reached the region tournament: senior Kinley Crowley and Sahara Lowe. Sophomore Reece Hollifield is back, while freshman Heidi Webb joins the lineup.

“I’m expecting big things from our girls this year,” Cain said. “Kinley and Sahara have been to the district and region tournaments, and they know what it takes.”

Cain noted that both teams will focus on course management and sharpening their short game in 2025.

“Last season, we left a lot of shots on the greens,” Cain said. “This year, the focus is on finishing those shots and managing the course.”