Georgia Tech Golf Inks Canitano, Long

Nicholas Canitano (Milton, Ga./Rivers Academy)
A two-time national champion with Rivers Academy, Nicholas Canitano has seen success on the junior circuit. While leading Rivers Academy to back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024, Canitano also finished runner-up as an individual in 2023. In 2024, Canitano won the Bobby Chapman Invitational and was also tabbed AJGA all-American honorable mention. The next season, Canitano was selected to participate on Team Georgia in the 2025 U.S. National Development Program. This past season he tied for 19^th at the 2026 Western Junior, placed second in the 2026 Georgia State Junior Amateur and served as team captain at Rivers Academy.

“I picked up a golf club as a toddler following around my dad and brother, and never looked back,” said Canitano. “While I tried several other sports, golf became my greatest passion starting at a young age. I dedicated all my free time to work on pursuit of becoming the best. My hard work and competitive drive have led to a successful record both as a junior golfer and part of the Rivers Academy golf team.

“The reasons I chose Georgia Tech could go on and on, but what truly separated it from the others was the culture Georgia Tech golf showcases,” Canitano continued. “It is a tight group of guys who all have one goal and that is to win. Coach Hybl brings us together in such a special way and I think one of the biggest things I saw in this program was the drive and determination to succeed, which I 100% share.”

William Long (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton)
The 2025 GHSA Player of the Year, William Long took home the title at the 58^th annual Georgia Junior Championship in 2023, finishing with a 2-under-par 173. He won the individual title on the first playoff hole to capture the trophy. Earlier this season, Long and his brother, Craig, reached the semifinals of the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball tournament at the Desert Mountain Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.

“I grew up playing golf with my brother since I was five years old,” said Long. “Golf has brought me friendships and community, but, most importantly, golf has taught me life skills that will last a lifetime. Seeing my brother and others around me work hard every day has motivated me to follow in their footsteps.

“When it came time for recruiting for me, Georgia Tech always had a program that was very respectable and everyone wanted to be a part of it,” Long added. “Going into recruiting, and all throughout by recruiting, Georgia Tech was my dream school and a place that I wanted to represent on and off the golf course.”