ROGERS — Eighteen-hole rounds like the one Stiles Hunter had on the final day of the Class 6A boys state golf tournament are exactly why he joined the Rogers golf team.
Hunter shot a 3-under 68, including four consecutive birdies on the back nine, to help the Mountaineers win their second Class 6A state championship in three years on Oct. 8 at Burns Park in North Little Rock.
Hunter, a senior, finished with a two-day total of 140 to earn the medalist honors at the state tournament. He is the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Boys Golfer of the Year for the 2025 season.
“Yeah, it was pretty awesome,” said Hunter said, who birdied holes 12, 13, 14 and 15 consecutively. “I’ve been thinking about it more and more. It was crazy how it happened and, you know, that’s kind of how golf is. Sometimes you won’t be making putts, and then you start making putts, and they’ll start falling and you’ll start making birdies.”
It capped a stellar senior season for Hunter, who earned all-state honors and signed to play golf at Wichita State. He also competed in the State Overall Tournament at Pleasant Valley Country Club, where he shot a 76.
“It was awesome,” said Rogers Coach Marcus Alexander. “We knew all season this is what he came to Rogers for, and it just worked out. The more and more I think about it, it’s just like a movie, you know? It’s pretty cool. He’s most deserving. He puts the time in. He competes all over the country, so I’m just proud of him.”
Hunter transferred to Rogers prior to his junior year from Providence Academy. He joined an already loaded Rogers team and helped the Mounties earn a state runner-up finish.
“It was a tough decision, but it was the best decision for me as far as schooling,” Hunter said. “I got to do a little more online school and in-person. So I had more flexibility to golf. It was going from a 3A school to a 6A school to competing at the highest levels is what I was going for, and, you know, Coach Alexander and the guys just helped me get better every single day. I’ve just enjoyed every minute of it.”
Hunter definitely made an impact, his coach said.
“I knew from day one when I met him and his family, he’d fit right in,” Alexander said. “It just seemed like he fit us perfect and hopefully we gave him an experience as well and gave him some lessons. He sure gave our team some lessons. He was a great leader, and I think he probably met some kids that he’ll keep up with, even after after high school.”
Hunter is excited to continue his golf career at Wichita State and has dreams beyond that.
“I’m really blessed up to continue and play at Wichita State,” he said. “I want to play professionally, I want to be as good as I can be, and with the right tools around me, I think I can play at the highest levels.”
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE BOYS GOLFER OF THE YEAR
STILES HUNTER
SCHOOL Rogers
CLASS Senior
NOTABLE Shot a 3-under 68 on the final day of the Class 6A boys state golf tournament to help the Mounties win the state title. … Finished with a two-day 140 to earn medalist honors. … All-state selection in Class 6A. … Signed with Wichita State.
Rogers’ Stiles Hunter poses Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 at the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette studio in Fayetteville. Hunter is the 2025 Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Boys Golfer of the Year. Visit nwaonline.com/photo for today’s photo gallery.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Caleb Grieger)
Rogers’ Stiles Hunter poses Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 at the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette studio in Fayetteville. Hunter is the 2025 Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Boys Golfer of the Year. Visit nwaonline.com/photo for today’s photo gallery.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Caleb Grieger)