MIA Freshman Medalist in First HS Tournament

Marco Island Academy freshman golfer Kaden Latreille, 15, won the first tournament of his high school career when he shot three under par at the Bishop Verot Invitational at Stoneybrook Golf Club in Estero on August 23-24.

Latreille was the tournament’s medalist after shooting three under par, the only golfer in the tournament to finish under par. He shot a one under par 71 on Friday, then finished with a two under par 70 on Saturday to bring home the individual championship.

Latreille, who is battle-tested in spite of his tender age, said he wasn’t nervous despite being tied for the lead after the first round.

 “I've felt a lot more nervous in my life before,” Latreille said, "so I didn't feel that much. I knew it was nothing to be nervous about because I was playing well. There's nothing really to be nervous about, you know?”

Though he was the only MIA golfer invited to the tournament, Latreille was representing his high school team in the competition that included eight area teams. He’s excited to be a member of the high school team at MIA.

“It feels very nice,” he said. "It feels pretty good. You know, first time in high school, it feels really nice. The golf team is very nice. I like the coach. I like everything.”

MIA golf coach Jerry Miller is quite proud of his freshman golfer.

“Kaden is a promising and talented young golfer,” Miller said. “We are very proud of him. From the start of high school, he is representing Marco Island Academy proudly and we are so happy to welcome him into our Ray family this year.”

Latreille also wants to thank the Rookery & Hammock Bay golf staff, notably GM Anthony Schmid and director of golf Scott Lien, for letting him use their facilities to work on his game.

Latreille likes the Rays’ prospects for this season.

"I would say we definitely could get close to like third or second in a tournament,” he said. "I think we definitely can win our dual matches."

He’s hoping he can help MIA build a golf tradition.

“That’s what I want to do,” he said.