At just 14 years old, Port St. Lucie’s Dylan Schilling is making his presence felt on Florida’s junior golf circuit. The John Carroll High School freshman, who plays out of PGA Golf Club, recently returned to competition after a four-month recovery from a stress fracture in his lower back — and wasted little time proving he belongs among the state’s rising stars.

Schilling first teed it up at the USKids Teens Golf Tournament at PGA National, where he delivered rounds of 69 and 72 to finish runner-up in a competitive field. His steady driver play helped him stay in position throughout the two-day event, with his opening-round 69 setting the tone for the weekend.

He followed that performance with another strong showing the next week at the Florida Junior Tour (FJT) event hosted by the Florida State Golf Association at Reunion Resort’s Palmer Course in Orlando. Schilling carded rounds of 69 and 74 to finish tied for seventh place out of 46 players. The FJT is regarded as one of the state’s most challenging tours, drawing some of Florida’s top junior talent, making Schilling’s top-10 finish all the more impressive.

For Schilling, the results are particularly meaningful given the circumstances. Returning from a back injury is never easy — especially for a young golfer whose game relies on consistent ball striking — but his ability to step right back into competition and contend shows both resilience and maturity beyond his years.

Currently ranked 318th nationally and 27th in Florida in his class, Schilling has quietly built a reputation for consistent play off the tee and composure under pressure. His ability to keep the ball in play has been a hallmark of his game, allowing him to compete with and beat some of the top juniors in the region.

While Schilling doesn’t draw much attention to himself off the course, his results speak volumes. Those who have followed his development see him as a player with the potential to climb the rankings quickly as he gains more experience and strength. His recent scores, particularly the pair of sub-70 rounds in consecutive tournaments, are an encouraging sign of what lies ahead.

Up next, Schilling will compete in the South Florida PGA (SFPGA) event at Eagle Trace in Coral Springs, another opportunity to test his game against strong regional fields. For a player who just turned 14 and is already posting competitive scores in high-level junior tournaments, the future looks bright.

As he continues his comeback season, one thing is becoming clear: Dylan Schilling is more than just a local standout. With his work ethic, steady play, and growing confidence, he is positioning himself as one of Florida’s most promising up-and-coming golfers.