One of the top amateur golfers in the state, Hazard High School sophomore phenom Waylon Clutts used four consecutive back nine birdies and some help from above to capture his first Sleepy Hollow Invitational Tournament title on Sunday afternoon. Clutts came through in the clutch with consecutive birdies on holes 13-16 to distance himself from defending champion Lawson Hon en route to a final round four-under par 66 and a six stroke victory.
“What made this win feel so special at Sleepy Hollow was knowing that my Dad was watching over me on every shot that I took this weekend, and as I made the final putt on the last hole, I knew that I put a big smile on his face in Heaven,” an emotional Clutts said after the round.
He was referencing his father, the late John S. Clutts, an excellent golfer in his own right, as well as a highly respected entrepreneur, community leader and philanthropist in Hazard who lost his battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) on April 10, 2026.
“I felt the key part to my game that led me to victory this weekend was my mental game. As I was on the course, when a shot didn’t go my way or didn’t turn out the way I intended, I would tell myself that this is not a game of just hitting a ball around and trying to get it in the hole. Instead, it’s like the game of life, there’s ups and downs, good and bad, but there is never perfection. So you have to enjoy every moment while it lasts,” a very mature 17-year-old Clutts added.
Waylon Clutts is no stranger to the golfing world throughout Kentucky, as he has captured back-to-back Hazard Country Club titles in 2024 and 2025, including a final round 59 in 2024. He also tied for 13th in the KHSAA state golf finals in 2025 and became the youngest champion of the storied Sleepy Hollow Invitational Tournament.
His older brother, Gavin, is a past Sleepy Hollow Invitational Tournament Champion as well as a Sophomore standout on the University of Kentucky Men’s Golf Team.
The 2026 rendition of the Sleepy Hollow Invitational Tournament featured 85 golfers from around Kentucky. Sleepy Hollow Board of Directors Chairperson Ronnie Cox, who also serves as the Tournament Chairman was extremely pleased with such a loaded field.
“Waylon dominated a very strong field with a number of past champions including Ed Leisge, Pete Cornett, Jr., Steve Simpson, Codie McDowell and Lawson Hon, our defending champion. The field was highlighted with a number of talented young golfers in our area including Brayden Casolari, Cole Cornett, and Julian Simpson who became our youngest flight champion today. We want to thank all of our Sleepy Hollow staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, and Black Bear Catering for a great weekend,” Cox said.
The final results of the 2026 Sleepy Hollow Invitational Tournament are listed below.
Championship Flight
Waylon Clutts 130, Lawson Hon 136, Dalton Mills 140, Drew Chamberlain 142, Connor Leisge 142, Brett Widner 143, Ed Leisge 145, Cole Cornett 146, Pete Cornett, Jr. 146, Noah Mullins 148, Steve Simpson 150, Tyler Casolari 154, Braxton Caldwell 159, Jared Sizemore 161
Senior Flight
Rainbo Johnson 150, Fred Dixon 152, John Dixon 161, James Holland 163, Tim Frasure 171, Jeff Ledford 173, Steve Vicini 180, Chuck Mitchell 200, Jimbo Vicini 200
First Flight
Eli Estep, 144, Jared Cornett 147, Mark Keith 147, Scott Dixon 148, Ty Rackley 150, Jay Dunaway 152, Jordan Steward 154, Joe Eldridge 157, Jon Estep 157, Seth Rice 161, Stephen Hunter 162, Perry Wyrick 165
Second Flight
Brendan Rutherford 155, Ed Early 157, Marcus Johnson 157, Joey Johnson 158, Ronnie Cox 158, Jacob Cornett 160, Nathan Halcomb 161, Tucker Brock 161, Ken Belcher 164, Seth Litwin 164, John Bryson 168, Jamie Deal 173, Mason Himes 176, James Lawson 178, Joey Eldridge 181
Third Flight
Tommy Polson 167, Jace Hayes 174, Anthony Carruba 177, Dusty Hon 179, David Burns 182, Earl Deal 182, Trey Early 184, Tara Simpson 185, Troy Gaw 189, Thomas Haught 190, Nathan Shepherd 192, Logan Napier 196, Robbie Harris 196
Fourth Flight
Julian Simpson 189, Cody Simpson 190, Blake James 193, Chris Boggs 194, Blayne Rutherford 201, Ethan Boggs 201, Jared Garland 203, Ryan Skidmore 206, Zay Simmons 212, Parker Dixon 216, Matt Sturgill 220, Tyrese Simmons 226, Devon Rodrigues 235
