Carolina Mountain Classic

The Tour rolled into the mountains for its third stop of the season—and the second event of the 5 Pointz Series—at the stunning Waynesville Inn & Golf Club. What followed was nothing short of a statement from the Mountain Region Players, as four different mountain teams swept all four divisions, including three first-time Tour winners.

From playoff drama to breakout performances and long-awaited returns, the half-way point of the 5 Pointz Series at Waynesville delivered one of the most competitive and memorable events of the season so far.

With rivalries heating up, the leaderboard tightening, and the 5 Pointz Series momentum building fast, the Tour is heading back down the mountain with serious speed.

Next up: the Concord Classic at Rocky River Golf Club on Saturday, May 24th.

Division A at Waynesville Inn & Golf Club delivered every ounce of drama you’d expect from the Tour’s top tier—and then some. All eyes were on the long-anticipated return of the original “Two-Man Team of the Year,” Shane and Dalton Thompson, a father-son duo who’ve built a legacy within the BAG Tour. After stepping away from competition, they returned to the mountains looking to reclaim their place at the top—and they didn’t disappoint.

The Thompson’s journey back to the winner’s circle didn’t come easy. Adam and Aaron Jolley, a consistent threat in any field, pushed them to the brink in a sudden death alternate shot playoff that had the entire course holding its breath. The playoff was pure intensity, but in true Thompson fashion, they delivered under pressure and sealed the win with clutch execution.

This week also marked the return of Daniel Honeycutt, teaming up with Noah Martin to form what is already looking like a serious power duo to watch. With Honeycutt’s experience and Martin’s explosive potential, they’re poised to shake things up in Division A moving forward.

Drake Foster and Hunter Parks also made their return and showed solid form throughout the day, just falling short of the podium. Meanwhile, Stone Dyson and Logan Hefner continued their search for a breakout moment, battling all day and proving they’re still on the verge of something special.

The division also welcomed a new face: first-timer Moses Alipate, who paired up with Cory Martin—and let’s just say, this team made a statement. With Moses’ raw athletic talent and Cory’s steady game, this could be one of the most exciting pairings to follow in the back half of the season.

Division A is always deep—but at Waynesville, it felt different. With returning legends, rising duos, and new contenders on the scene, the top flight is officially wide open.

Division B at Waynesville Inn brought out one of the most compelling storylines of the season so far. After parting ways with long-time teammate Jon Wood, Nick Hinton stepped into the unknown with new partner Ben Schoenberg—and the gamble paid off in a big way. The duo found instant chemistry, navigating the mountain layout with poise and precision, and ultimately claiming Nick’s long-awaited first Tour win. It was a defining moment for a player who’s been knocking on the door for almost two years.

But the story doesn’t stop there. Jon Wood responded to the split in bold fashion, bringing in Kayla Sciupider, a first-time Tour participant with serious game and even more potential. Kayla made her debut in style, turning heads all day and letting her game speak for itself– putting all the guys on notice that her name is one were going to remember this year. Nick may have won the battle this time, but this is a war we’ll be watching all season long.

Meanwhile, fan-favorite duo Mike Klyn and Scott Helfrich quietly kept themselves in the hunt. At one point, they sat in the clubhouse as the leaders—until a pair of late birdies from other contenders knocked them off the podium. Still, don’t sleep on this team: the Tour heads next to Rocky River, the same place they last picked up a Division B title. You better believe they’re circling that date.

Tour Champion Dylan Jones, now partnered with Patrick Poole, was also in the mix all afternoon. The pair showed flashes of brilliance and consistency but are still chasing that breakthrough moment to get the ball rolling this season.

Division B is deep, unpredictable, and full of storylines—and at Waynesville, we just got a preview of the rivalries and redemption arcs that will define the 2025 season.

The odds were stacked, and the sportsbooks had spoken—“Bet the House” on either Hampton/Harris or Davis/Coggins was the Draft Kings line heading into Waynesville. Both veteran squads showed why, keeping themselves right in the mix all day long. But in a shocking twist, a dark horse duo from the north stole the show.

Cody Mincey and Tom White, in their first ever BAG Tour appearance, put together a clutch performance and outlasted the chaos in a 3-way alternate shot playoff that stretched across three nerve-wracking holes. With ice in their veins and composure to match, they took home the win and announced themselves as serious contenders moving forward.

Also steady but never really in the mix were the team’s of Heintz/Grundell and the combo of Keene/Brotherton, both of whom hoped to find their groove in the mountains but the game just never materialized. But the unique challenges of the Waynesville layout proved tough for those unfamiliar with its tricky greens and mountain flow—experience, or lack thereof, made all the difference.

Division C also saw some fresh faces join the Tour: Jesse Frazier and Jacob Barfield teed it up for the first time, while a new squad emerged with Daniel Barrett and Holden Straughan, a pairing that showed flashes of something special. Don’t be surprised if they’re on the leaderboard in events to come.

In a division where expectations met unpredictability, it was the underdogs who rose to the top—proving once again that in the BAG Tour, anyone can win, but no win comes easy.

If you thought Division D was going to be predictable… think again. While the storylines heading into Waynesville focused on familiar names like the Grindstaffs and the Lanes, it was a pair of first-time BAG Tour players who flipped the script in the mountains.

Andy Ledford and Mitchell Whitner didn’t just win — they made a statement. In their Tour debut, the duo put on a clinic, dominating the field and walking away with the Division D crown and a well-deserved promotion to Division C. From the first tee shot to the final putt, they looked like seasoned veterans on one of the Tour’s most challenging layouts.

That’s not to say the regulars didn’t show up. The Grindstaffs were steady all day, applying pressure and staying within striking distance. The Lanes, known for their grit and relentless spirit, kept things interesting but couldn’t quite find the spark they needed down the stretch.

Waynesville proved once again that Division D delivers — every event, every time. New faces rising, veterans grinding, and the kind of competitive fire that makes this Tour unlike anything else out there.