CGN Print Version - Charleston Golf News
Transcription
CGN Print Version - Charleston Golf News
© Latest clubs arrive just in time for spring Ping G series among innovative new offerings ... Inside: SCGA Tournament of Champions, pgs 16 New Berkeley team focuses on service, pg 10 Golf Therapy: 2015 a year to remember helping veterans and others through golf pg 23 local golf course real estate, pg 12 2016 SCGA, CGA schedules and more page 19 Top 100 club fitter David Ayres takes a look at new drivers hitting the market this spring, and area golf professionals share their top picks on a variety of equipment. Stories, page 6 and 7 February 17, 2016 | www.CharlestonGolfNews com 2015 Charleston Interclub Champions page 9 U.S. Women’s Open adds to CCC’s storied history page 4 2 February 17 2016 Charleston Golf News www.CaledoniaGolfVacations.com Top 100 Public Courses in America ~ Golf Digest Top 25 Courses in the South ~ Golf Digest America’s Best Modern Courses Charleston Golf News 1279 W. Vagabond Lane Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 March Mania Chris Dailey Publisher/Editor Chris@charlestongolfnews.com (843)-749-0480 Sallie Aceto Creative Director Sallie@charlestongolfnews.com PLAY CALEDONIA AND TRUE BLUE GOLF CLUBS ANY WAY YOU LIKE. Ex: 4 rounds at Caledonia or 4 at True Blue, 3 at Caledonia and 1 at True Blue or any combination you and your golf group choose to play. $549 PER PERSON* $649 PER PERSON** Price subject to change prior to booking package. Vacations available 3/1/16 - 3/13/16* / 3/14/15 - 3/31/16** Includes 3 Nights Accommodations. *Based on Quad Occupancy in 2 bd, 2 bath golf villa at The True Blue Resort in Pawleys Island, (25 minutes south of MB Airport) SC *Price per person includes all taxes, resort fees, cart fees and range balls. Kathy Chickarello Junior / College Golf Editor Kathy@charlestongolfnews.com Rich O’Brien, Golf Therapy and Growing the Game columnist rich@charlestongolfnews.com Olivia Erwin, Junior Golf columnist olivia@charlestongolfnews.com Advertising Sales Chris Dailey, 843-749-0480 chris@charlestongolfnews.com Art Corbin, 843-408-2332 art@charlestongolfnews.com Rob Drachler, 972-325-4470 rob@charlestongolfnews.com Contributors: Hillary Evans, , Sandi Jacobs, Jordan Maslanik, Denny Miller, Mike Phillips, Brandon Ray, Tim Sumption, Pete Wofford. Visit www.charlestongolfnews.com for the local golf calendar, photo galleries, business directory, news archives, golf tips and more “I’m not good enough to get custom fit” LOWCOUNTRY CUSTOM GOLF Your Golf Game Improvement Center LET US PROVE YOU WRONG! We are your Golf Game Improvement Center. Call now to schedule your fittings and lessons. CLUBS • GOLF BALLS • HATS • TEES • GLOVES Trade-Ins Welcome Turn your old clubs into a down payment or Cash! Full Service Club Repair Most repairs and grips returned in 24 hours! Located at Wando Crossing Shopping Center! 1485 Hwy 17 N • Unit J • Mt. Pleasant SC (843) 492-7009 • www.lowcountrycustomgolf.com Charleston Golf News February 17 2016 3 charl ton’s Best sD eli e 2004-2 015 Sponsored by Wescott Golf Club 1.12.16 Gary Brooks Oak Forest #3 123 yards 8 iron Witnesses: Red Rice, Dale Banton Lake Marion Golf Course 2.2.16 DOUBLE EAGLE Bryan Swan Hole #1 2nd shot onto the green 214 yards 3 hybrid Witnesses: Don Peterson, Bill Ackerman, Mike Emerson Patriots Point Links 2.13.16 Chris Graziano Hole #7 151 yards 8 iron Witnesses: Brian Jarmy, Alex Pratt Girls Junior Clinics Starts Wednesday, March 2nd @ 4pm EDITIO D E T I N M I SAVE YOUR DRIVES FOR THE LINKS g OUR FREE DELIVERY! OrderLPay Online EastBayDeli.net FIVE NEIGHBORHOOD LOCATIONS CHARLESTON DOWNTOWN N. CHARLESTON (2) MT. PLEASANT Donʼt lose your ability to drive. EBD 88 Charleston Golf News Ad 4.95x5.2.indd 1 12/31/15 11:02 AM Boys Junior Clinics Beginner under 10 WIN A CLINICS! Boys Junior Clinics Intermediate 8-14 R! IVE DR L Starts Thursday, March 3rd @ 3:30pm Starts Thursday, March 3rd @ 4:30pm Ladies Clinics Starts Thursday, March 3rd @ 10am DUI Traffic Tickets Drug & Alcohol Offenses Drennan Law Firm, LLC DrennanLawFirm1.com FREE DUI APP Awarded Top 50 Kids Golf Instructor ree Years in a Row Learn more and sign up online at: www.LowcountryLessons.com Text DUI APP to 72727 or 225-2384 (A-D-U-I) Available 24/7 • Free Consultation Over 23 years experience handling difficult traffic offenses. 4 February 17 2016 Charleston Golf News U.S. Women’s Open a good fit for Charleston, CCC Club’s Ladies Committee first formed in 1900 “We have a girl who is our current governor and cannot wait to cheer on the players when they get here. We’re building amazing Wifi aircraft right up in North Charleston and there’s actually a girl in charge of that plant. We have our wonderful sports commission, and there’s a girl in charge ....” by Chris Dailey T o Helen Hill, Executive Director of the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, it’s only fitting that the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open is coming to The Country Club of Charleston. Not only does the club, and the Charleston area, have a tradition of supporting competitive golf, but the area has fast become a place where women shine at the highest levels. Or to put it in Hill’s words, “in South Carolina, girls rule.” Hill explained further while speaking at the recent USGA press conference announcing that CCC will host the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open. “We have a girl who is our current governor and cannot wait to cheer on the players when they get here,” said Hill. “We’re building these amazing Wifi aircraft right up in North Charleston and there’s actually a girl in charge of that plant. We have our wonderful sports commission, and there’s a girl in charge right back there, sitting in the audience the vice president happens to be a girl. We’re going to be building some amazing cars, Volvo, and the one in charge of building the plant is a girl, and right in the other half of Charleston, Charleston CVB Executive Director Helen Hill Helen Hill we have the amazing tennis tournament, the Volvo Open president by Family Circle, world class women’s tennis event. So because girls rule, it’s because in South Carolina, gentlemen know how to support women’s athletics.” The Country Club of Charleston, specifically, has a long history of supporting women’s golf. In fact, that history goes back to the club’s origins. Club president Cordes Ford says the club’s first organizational meeting took place on October 1, 1900, and at that meeting two committees were formed: the Executive Committee and the Ladies Committee. “The (U.S. Women’s Open) will be at the high water mark of our club’s 115-year history, and throughout that history the women’s game has been prominent,” said Ford. He added that the Country Club of Charleston has had three USGA champions as members and two of them were women: the late Alberta (Bea) Bauer who won the 1975 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur, and Beth Daniel, a twotime USGA Women’s Amateur Champion, who “learned the game on this course en route to her Hall-of-Fame career.” Daniel was born in Charleston and grew up playing at the Country Club of Charleston from an early age, spending countless hours honing her ball-striking skills on the range. She won USGA Women’s Amateur titles in 1975 and 1977, and went on to captured 33 titles on the LPGA Tour, including the 1980 LPGA Championship. She led the Tour in wins in 1982, 1990 and 1994, and played on eight U.S. Solheim Cup teams. In 2000, she was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Each year the South Carolina Junior Golf Association (SCJGA) awards the Beth Daniel Player of the Year Award to the top female junior golfer in the state. Beth Daniel also works with SCJGA each year to host the Beth Daniel Junior Azalea at The Country Club of Charleston. Daniel said she is so proud that the Country Club of Charleston was recognized by the USGA to host the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open, and she “can’t wait to see the best compete on the course where I learned to play.” The Country Club of Charleston already proved itself capable of hosting a national women’s championship. In 2013, the club hosted the U.S. Women’s Amateur, which drew the top Special Rates 69+tax $ 79+tax $ Monday thru ursday Friday-Sunday & Holidays Expires 4/30/16 843.856.9000 | DunesWestGolfClub.com | 3535 Wando Plantation Way, Mt. Pleasant amateur golfers from around the world. USGA President Tom O’Toole Jr. noted that Emma Talley, the winner of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Amateur in Charleston, went on to play on the 2014 Curtis Cup Team and sank the final putt that won the match for the American squad. The 2013 U.S. Women’s Amateur received rave reviews from USGA, which wasted little time announcing plans to return to CCC. The next time, O’Toole said, it will be for the biggest event in women’s golf. O’Toole said the U.S. Women’s Open has brought some of the game’s most memorable moments over the years. In 1954, he said, Babe Zaharias won by 12 strokes while battling cancer, which took her life just two years later. In 1967, Catherine LaCoste became the first and only women’s amateur to win the U.S. Women’s Open Championship. In 1987, Laura Davies captured the title in a playoff against Ayako Okamoto of Japan, and in 1998 Se Ri Pak of South Korea edged Jenny Chuasiriporn in a playoff to win the championship, opening up the game to a new generation of women in Korea. In 2014, he said, Michelle Wie won her first major at Pinehurst, elevating women’s golf to a “spot it’s never enjoyed before.” Upcoming U.S. Women’s Open Championships will be contested July 7-10, 2016, at CordeValle in San Martin, Calif.; July 13-16, 2017, at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J.; and May 31-June 3, 2018, at Shoal Creek, AL. In 2019, the 74th U.S. Women’s Open will be played at the historic Country Club of Charleston May 30-June 2. It’s expected to attract more than 110,000 spectators and inject more than $25 million into the local economy. Charleston Golf News February 17 2016 5 Best Hot Dog since 2000 After a round of golf... the real deal!!! This winter serving local craft beers, wine, and sausages. 2805 Hwy 17 N 3 mi. N of the Isle of Palms connector 843-884-7677 www.jackscosmicdogs.com Beth Daniel, who grew up playing golf at The Country Club of Charleston en route to a Hall-ofFame career, stands with Kate Harper, the winner of last year’s Beth Daniel Junior Azalea. Daniel partners with the South Carolina Junior Golf Association to host the Beth Daniel Junior Azalea each year at The Country Club of Charleston. She also awards the Beth Daniel Player of the Year Award each year to the top female junior golfer in the state. LARGEST INVENTORY NEW & PRE-OWNED DELIVERY INSTALLATION PLANNING & DESIGN www.WilcoxOfCharleston.com Follow us: OF USED OFFICE FURNITURE IN THE STATE NORTH CHARLESTON 3255 Fortune Drive 843.725.6082 FLORENCE 1109 West Lucas St 843.662.1563 6 February 17 2016 Charleston Golf News 䴀伀嘀䔀 䈀䔀吀吀䔀刀 ∠ꀀ䘀䔀䔀䰀 䈀䔀吀吀䔀刀 ∠ꀀ倀䰀䄀夀 䈀䔀吀吀䔀刀 䤀渀挀爀攀愀猀攀搀 匀琀爀攀渀最琀栀 䤀渀挀爀攀愀猀攀搀 䴀漀戀椀氀椀琀礀 ☀ 匀琀愀戀椀氀椀琀礀 䤀渀挀爀攀愀猀攀搀 匀琀愀洀椀渀愀 䤀渀挀爀攀愀猀攀搀 䐀爀椀瘀攀 䐀椀猀琀愀渀挀攀 䐀攀挀爀攀愀猀攀搀 刀椀猀欀 漀昀 䤀渀樀甀爀礀 䰀漀眀攀爀 匀挀漀爀攀猀 䴀漀爀攀 䌀漀渀猀椀猀琀攀渀挀礀 䨀漀爀搀愀渀 䴀愀猀氀愀渀椀欀 椀猀 漀渀攀 漀昀 漀渀氀礀 吀䠀刀䔀䔀 吀椀琀氀攀椀猀琀 倀攀爀昀漀爀洀愀渀挀攀 䤀渀猀琀椀琀甀琀攀 ⠀吀倀䤀⤀ 䌀攀爀琀椀昀椀攀搀 昀椀琀渀攀猀猀 瀀爀漀昀攀猀猀椀漀渀愀氀猀 椀渀 琀栀攀 䌀栀愀爀氀攀猀琀漀渀 愀爀攀愀⸀ 䠀攀 栀愀猀 眀漀爀欀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 漀瘀攀爀 㜀㔀 最漀氀昀攀爀猀Ⰰ 漀昀 愀氀氀 愀最攀猀Ⰰ 洀愀氀攀 愀渀搀 昀攀洀愀氀攀Ⰰ 戀攀最椀渀渀攀爀 琀漀 挀漀洀瀀攀琀椀渀最 愀洀愀琀攀甀爀猀⸀ 䴀攀渀琀椀漀渀 琀栀椀猀 愀搀 愀渀搀 爀攀挀攀椀瘀攀 愀 吀倀䤀 倀栀礀猀椀挀愀氀 匀挀爀攀攀渀 ⠀䄀 ␀㈀ 嘀愀氀甀攀⤀ 挀漀洀瀀氀攀琀攀氀礀 䘀刀䔀䔀℀ 䄀 㘀 猀挀爀攀攀渀 愀猀猀攀猀猀洀攀渀琀 挀爀攀愀琀攀搀 琀漀 猀栀漀眀 礀漀甀爀 猀琀爀攀渀最琀栀猀 愀渀搀 眀攀愀欀渀攀猀猀攀猀 愀渀搀 昀椀渀搀 漀甀琀 礀漀甀爀 最漀氀昀 昀椀琀渀攀猀猀 栀愀渀搀椀挀愀瀀℀ 㠀㐀㌀⸀㘀 㠀⸀㠀㜀㈀㔀 眀眀眀⸀愀搀爀攀渀愀氀椀渀攀瀀攀爀昀漀爀洀愀渀挀攀琀爀愀椀渀椀渀最猀挀⸀挀漀洀 㘀㘀㈀ 匀愀瘀愀渀渀愀栀 䠀眀礀 䌀栀愀爀氀攀猀琀漀渀Ⰰ 匀䌀 ㈀㤀㐀 㜀 Try the Yamatrack GPS App! Download on your smartphone and use with our new Yamaha Golf Carts. Winter Golf Special 18 HOLES W/ CART $ 35 MON-FRI $ 40 WEEKENDS 5000 Wescott Club Drive • Summerville, SC www.wescottgolf.com • 843-871-2135 • #wescott Latest driver technology hits market this spring Innovations aimed at maximizing speed and forgiveness I f you’ve been holding out for the latest product releases before getting a new driver, you have some innovative new models to choose from this spring. The engineers at PING have launched the new G Series drivers, Callaway worked with Boeing to design the XR 16, and Taylor Made is offering the new M2. Top 100 Club Fitter David Ayres of Lowcountry Custom Golf in Mt. Pleasant helps explain the enhancements offered by each below. PING G Series The G Series is the latest to advance through the approval process at Ping. As Ayres says, the company’s engineers can’t introduce new technology unless it offers clear, measurable improvements. Ayres says he’s seen first hand that the G Series achieves that. He’s seen golfers getting consistently higher ball speeds with the club, even on off-center hits. The design changes were aimed at just that. Ping took the turbulators from the G30 and added Dragonfly Technology to reinforce the crown, producing a sleeker crown and a center of gravity that is lower and farther back. “The ultra thin crown allows them to give it an extreme center of gravity and maximize the MOI (Moment of Inertia),” says Ayres. The new crown also maintains more club head stability on impact, and the face construction was bolstered to generate greater ball speed. Ping is offering two other models of the driver: the G LS Tec (Low Spin) and the G SF Tec (Straight Flight). The G LS produces lower spin and a lower launch angle to make the club more forgiving, while the G SF produces a right to left ball flight to reduce fade. Callaway XR 16 Callaway teamed up with the engineers at Boeing to help create its most aerodynamic club head yet. “Boeing helped redesign the size, shape and placement of their Speed Step to increase speed and forgiveness,” says Ayres. Similar to the Ping G, the Callaway XR 16 uses improved aerodynamics to both increase speed and redistribute weight for a higher MOI, or greater forgiveness. The redesigned club head is made to reduce drag for faster club speed, but also reduce twisting and torquing to maintain stability on impact. Improvements were made to the face to make it faster and more forgiving too. The face is nearly 20 percent thinner and designed to produce similar results regardless of where the ball is impacted. Taylor Made M2 Taylor Made has also been busy working to refine its driver technology so it’s both faster and more forgiving at the same time. The M2 follows the release of the M1 last October and provides some of the same advances as the M1 but at a little lower price level. The M2 has the same look and carbon-fiber crown as the M1 and offers the same loft adjustability. But it does not include the track system, and the weight savings from that and the lighter crown is used to put the center of gravity lower and more to the back. “This is mainly geared to replace Aeroburner, which is a glued driver,” says Ayres. “They’ve taken Aeroburner and added loft adjustability without the track system. so you’re gaining adjustability at the lower price point.” Note: Look for more coverage in upcoming issues on other new equipment coming out this year. Lowcountry pros share new product picks Drivers, wedges, training aids, authentic hickory clubs ... by Pete Wofford W hat is new in golf equipment that you have not heard before, such as longer, straighter, softer and the best ever? Count the year 2016, as another case of promises of a better game. Skipping the newsstand magazine articles, web sites, and television commercials filled with new product tantalizing details, the real source for game improvement is right here at your local golf shop. Listed here are the top 10 new products that have caught the eye of Lowcountry professionals. The M1 driver by TaylorMade: Introduced last fall, the M1 has caught the eye of Ty Gosnell, teaching professional at Rivertowne GC. In the past TaylorMade’s recent driver unveilings have centered around three key areas of the club: adjustability in the sole (SLDR’s sliding weight track), center of gravity (CG) shifts and crown color (the white-crowned R11). The latest driver offering from TaylorMade, the M1, features a little bit of everything, from a dual-track system in the sole that alters launch and face angle to a redesigned face shape. But the big story surrounding the company’s newest model is a new lightweight carbon composite crown that weighs 10 grams — roughly 12 grams less than the thick-thin titanium crown that has been used on previous TaylorMade drivers. “This driver has it all, looks, feel and technology,” added Gosnell. Suggested retail $500. Callaway Golf XR 16 driver: Impressed by the hi-tech message, and feeling a loyalty to North Charleston-based Boeing, Jeff Minton, Director of Golf at Wild Dunes Resort likes the Callaway XR 16 driver. The fear of bigger and more forgiving design is a slower clubhead speed. Enter Boeing engineers partnering with Callaway and a newer and improved aerodynamic driver. The XR16 stretches farther front to back than last year’s XR to produce a higher moment of inertia. Callaway’s engineers employed a lower-density titanium alloy in the body and a shallower, lighter face design to save weight so the center of gravity is lower than last year’s model. According to Callaway, those two elements combine to produce better energy transfer. Suggested retail $350. Titleist Vokey Spin Milled 6 wedges: Improved scoring starts with a better short game. Danny Stewart, Director of Instruction at the Country Club of Charleston likes the new lineup of Titleist Vokey wedges. Titleist has introduced new Vokey Design Spin Milled 6 wedges, which the company says “establish a new performance standard by improving in the three key areas of wedge play: distance gapping, shot versatility and spin control.” A progressive center-of-gravity design aligns the center of gravity with the impact position of each loft to produce precise distance and trajectory control with exceptional feel. The CG goes from low in low-loft wedges (46-52 degrees) to mid in 54- and 56-degree wedges to high in high lofts (58-62 degrees). Suggested retail $169. Bettinardi Golf Cashmere and Satin H2 Wedges: Already established as a premier putter maker, Bob Bettinardi and family have entered the world of wedges. This too caught the eye of Ty Gosnell of Rivertowne. Bettinardi Golf has introduced tour designed forged wedge line. H2 stands for High Helix, which is an aggressive machine tool that cuts the face of each wedge. The milling cutter removes metal at a very fast pace leaving a unique milling pattern that provides improved contact in both wet and dry conditions. The H2 wedge line incorporates the beauty and performance that you have come to expect from the Bettinardi brand. The finish comes in a Cashmere Bronze or a Satin Nickel. Suggested retail $180. GolfBoard: Why not combine the world of surfing and golf? Not the newest idea, but the most fun. Basically, they’re motorized skateboards with a handle to which you attach your golf bag. Already available as alternatives to traditional riding golf carts at more than 100 courses, we can now add Daniel Island Club. Director of Golf Chris Edwards is bringing four GolfBoard single-rider carts to the club for a three-month demonstration, and to gauge interest. Testimonials from previous users admit that the fun is there, easy to use, and speeds play. 600 Island Park Drive Charleston, SC 29492 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Seeking motivated individuals that can operate as a concierge and service our members and guests MENS LOCKER ROOM ATTENDANT Ensure cleanliness and proper presentation of men’s locker room for members and guests. Restock linen and toiletries Play Hickory: With all the talk about new technology, two area golf professionals Chris Edwards, Director of Golf at Daniel Island and Bo Turocy, Head Professional at Pine Forest CC, are excited to invest in Hickory-shafted golf clubs from the 1920s. At Daniel Island, Edwards will carry four authentic sets of clubs and balls allowing members to have fun, and test their skill with a full set (putter, four irons, one wood) of old school design. At Pine Forest, Turocy is going old school as well with clubs and balls, and even learning how to repair old designs. (playhickory.com) Imperial Coolcore hats and towel: Already thinking warm days head, Pete Dunham, Head Professional at Snee Farm is looking forward to adding the Coolcore hats and towels by Imperial Headwear. The company pitch, simply states, “wet it, wave it, and wear it,” in both a hat and golf towel. According to Imperial the Instant Cooling Towel and is chemical-free and maintains its temperature 30 percent longer than other towels. Suggested retail Coolcore towel is $20 and up to $40 in hats. Charleston Golf News February 17 2016 7 Total Golf Trainer training aid: The Total Golf Trainer is an all-in-one training device that gives immediate feedback. Claude Brusse, Head Professional at Yeaman’s Hall, figures the simplicity of the Total Golf Trainer makes it essential in his teaching. There are 12 basic settings. It teaches the golfer every shot including: full swing, chip shots, pitch shots and more. The Total Golf Trainer easily attaches to any grip and can be used with any golf club. It works with the lead or trail part of the golf swing. Golfers can move the device into the correct shape and angles to work with their unique swing angles and motions. Suggested retail $70. Adidas tour360x Boa shoes: Why not custom fit shoes? No more shoe strings. The Boa closure design has been around in the hiking and skiing footwear, and even first appeared in FootJoy, but it was the adidas tour360 shoe that caught Jeff Minton’s eye at the PGA Merchandise Show. Boa closure system of steel lace, nylon guides and a mechanical reel was designed to address the long list of deficiencies in traditional closures. Featuring the revolutionary Boa IP-1 dial on the tongue of the tour360 x, the Boa Closure System enables fast and easy micro-adjustability for a customizable Balance training: Danny Stewart, CC of and comfortable fit. The shoe is a lightweight synCharleston, is looking to invest in the BodiTrak thetic upper with climaproof (breathable texture). when on the lesson tee. Basically it is a thin, portable system to capture center balance during a golf swing. The computer-linked sensor captures a golfers balance pattern on a variety of shots from the practice tee to the putting green. Its flexible, roll-up design makes it very easy to setup, use and move to the next hole. BodiTrak balance systems have been used for nearly a decade in rehabilitation medicine research. FIRST TEE BUILDING ATTENDANT Ensure the smooth and timely processing of golfers from check-in to departure in Point of Sale system. Ensure cleanliness of facility/course Minimum Qualification: High school graduate; 1 yr. experience in customer service, private club experience and knowledge of sport of golf preferred. Send Resume/Application to: club.resumes@danielislandclub.com or apply in person 2nd Annual Golf Tournament Monday, May 16 Coosaw Creek Country Club 4-Man Captain Choice • $75/person Sponsorships Available For more info email Greg Russ: grsecondemail-ssc@yahoo.com 8 February 17 2016 Charleston Golf News C WINTER SPECIAL! $ 5 OFF Rack Rate on Saturday & Sundays when the course is cart path only. Offer good through 3/13/16. Cannot be combined with any other discounts. Please mention this ad to receive the discount. 2016 RATES Flight winners Brad Curren, Randy Dees, Jamy Gillian, Elvins Sheahan and Allen Scott. SPECIAL RATES Senior Rate Mon-Fri $ 30 First Responder Monday Active Police, Fire, EMS $ 25 Senior Special Mon. & Wed. $ 26 Military Walking Rate rack rate anytime after 1pm everyday $ 5 OFF $ (843) 764-4618 • www.CrowfieldGolf.com 300 Hamlet Circle • Goose Creek, SC 29445 Owned & Operated by the City of Goose Creek 18 2016 IceBreaker starts year out at Robert Trent Jones & Harbor Town T he Golfweek Amateur Tour started the year off in fine fashion at the IceBreaker event held at Robert Trent Jones in Palmetto Dunes and Harbor Town in Sea Pines Plantation, home of the Heritage Classic. Over 100 players competed from all across the country with over 20 city tours being represented. In the Championship Flight Brad Curren from Hilton Head lead after day one with 69 but Wayne McKenney from Augusta stormed back on Sunday at Harbor Town with 73-72-145 for the victory. Curren and Kentucky’s Eric King both finished at 150 followed by Andy Wood from Charleston at 153. In the A flight Hilton Heads Randy Dees wins with two consistent rounds of 76-78-154. Mark Ducker and William Gwaltney both from the Charleston tour tied second at 159, with Will taking second on a scorecard playoff. Bill Rhi- ley from the Jacksonville tour rounded out the top four at 163. In the B Flight Michigan West member Jamy Gillian won by one shot at 81-85-166. Jerry Drewey (Nashville) and Chris Franklin (Upstate) tied second at 167. The first round leader Tim Sumption from Charleston stumbled day two but still managed solo fourth at 169. In the C Elvis Sheahan from Central Carolina went wire to wire with a 171 total. Hilton Head once again was represented as Richard Manneli & Edwin Cassady both tied for second at 178. Sam Carpenter from the Upstate Tour was solo fourth at 179. In D Flight Allen Scott from the Dallas Tour won by seven at 183. William Cutshall (Atlanta) was second at 190 followed by Bob Lloyd (Augusta) at 197 and Aaron Chase 200 from Charleston. CCC to host CGA Rules of Golf seminar R egistration is open for the 2016 Rules of Golf Seminars conducted by the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA). This year's series will be the 40th year the CGA has served the Carolinas with Rules of Golf education and annual rules presentations. The 20 scheduled seminars are free of charge to attendees, who will view a narrated computer presentation on the basics of the Rules of Golf followed by question and answer sessions. Seminars typically last between 1 ½ to 2 hours in duration. A free 2016 edition of the Rules of Golf book will be distributed to all participants, and information on the Carolinas Golf Association will be available. Seminars are open to golfers of all ages and abilities including members of CGA member clubs, golf professionals, college and high school golf teams and the general public. Carolinas PGA members receive two "General Category" MSR education credits and LPGA members receive two CU credits for attending a seminar. Space is limited at some sites. Seminar LOCAL SEMINAR Wednesday, March 16 • 5:30pm Country Club of Charleston • Charleston, SC attendees are encouraged to pre-register online at www.carolinasgolf.org/2016-seminars For further information, contact the CGA, phone: 910-673-1000 or e-mail admin@ carolinasgolf.org Charleston Golf News February 17 2016 9 Charleston National picks up 2015 Interclub trophy Coosaw captures win in first match of 2016 T he Charleston Area Men’s Interclub Golf Association started its 2016 season with play at the Charleston National Golf Club in Mount Pleasant. This was a great event, hosted by an efficient Charleston National staff. While most clubs in the Low Country area were Cart Path Only from the constant winter rains, the Charleston National course was dry and a joy CHARLESTON AREA MEN’S INTERCLUB GOLF ASSOCIATION to play. We had 126 golfers from 13 local area Results January 25th Charleston National Golf Club Match clubs in the Charleston area compete for individual and team prizes. Feb 5, 20 To start the season off, we recognized the 2015 Interclub Team Champions, Charleston The Charleston Area Men’s Interclub Golf Association started its 2016 season with play at the Charles National, who pulled out a 1 point win the last ematch of the season last year (picture at right). National Golf Club in Mount Pleasant. This was a great event, hosted by an efficient Charleston National sta In the day’s individual golf competition, RogWhile most clubs in the Low Country area were Cart Path Only from the constant winter rains, the Charles yer McCay from Crowfield took 1st place prize y(his 2nd top 3 win in a row), followed by two National course was dry and a joy to play. We had 126 golfers from 13 local area clubs in the Charleston a -teammates from Coosaw Creek, Rick Slagle and compete for individual and team prizes. rJohn Gagg, who finished 2nd and 3rd respectively. 25 total players were awarded individual y To start the season off, we recognized the 2015 Interclub Team Champions, Charleston National, who pul prizes, as well as 4 Closest-to-Pin winners. out a 1 point win the last match of the season last year (picture below). In the day’s competition for the annual team a dtrophy, the Coosaw Creek team outplayed evieryone and came up with +8 points for 1st place. In the day’s individual golf competition, Roger McCay from Crowfield took 1st place prize (his 2nd top 3 w .Wescott finished 2nd with 2 points, and the host in a row), followed by two teammates from Coosaw Creek, Rick Slagle and John Gagg, who finished 2nd a oclub, Charleston National, finished in 3rd place with -1 points. 3rd respectively. 25 total players were awarded individual prizes, as well as 4 Closest-to-Pin winners. To A special thanks to Charleston National staff r all individual winners, visit the Interclub web page at http://chsinterclub.org/2016/ind_results_jan25_cn.htm -and our Interclub Director for Charleston National, Dave Shaak, for planning, hosting, and d The Charleston National Interclub teamfor picked its 2015 team championship trophy the first match of the 2016 outplayed season. Charleston National pulled out In the day’s competition theupannual trophy, the atCoosaw Creek team everyone and came mdelivering a very nice golfing experience for our a 1-point with in the last match of the st season to claim the 2015 title. nd Interclub members. with +8 points for 1 place. Wescott finished 2 with 2 points, and the host club, Charleston Nation e , @ finished in 3rd place with -1 points. To view 2016 standings, visit http://chsinterclub.org/standings.html. Mike Phillips Top 25 Individuals 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Roger McCay Rick Slagle John Gagg Jay Bland Tom Montesi Fred Moscowitch Tim Ryan Bob Sideikas Ron Connick Charles Callaway Jack Gooch Jerry Mosher Jim Neininger Tom O’Halloran Norm Schwarts Keith Bartlett Curnis King Ted Kornya Fred Gutriez Rocky Bailey Bob Lucas John Sowa Vern Bennett Craig Ford Ron Parsons Crowfield Coosaw Creek Coosaw Creek Wescott Dunes West Charleston Nat’l Coosaw Creek Summerville Shadowmoss Charleston Muni Berkeley Crowfield Crowfield Wescott Wescott Charleston Nat’l Shadowmoss Charleston Muni Summerville Summerville Wescott Charleston Nat’l Shadowmoss Stono Ferry Crowfield +7 +7 +7 +5 +5 +4 +4 +4 +4 +4 +4 +3 +3 +3 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +1 +1 +1 Teams BerkeleyCC CharlestonMunicipal CharlestonNational CoosawCreekCC CrowfieldCC DunesWest LegendOaks PineForestCC RiverTowneCC ShadowmossCC StonoFerry SummervilleCC WescottPlantation NewYear 2016 ChasNational MatchResults 2016 Standings Outof1st PlaceBy… Pts Place Score Pts Place Pts Place Points -18 7 7 7 7 8.0 -21 5 9 5 9 10.0 -1 11 3 11 3 4.0 +8 15 1 15 1 0.0 -7 9 5 9 5 6.0 -19 6 8 6 8 9.0 -36 3 11 3 11 12.0 -37 2 12 2 12 13.0 -45 1 13 1 13 14.0 -3 10 4 10 4 5.0 -31 4 10 4 10 11.0 -17 8 6 8 6 7,0 2 12 2 12 2 3.0 10 February 17 2016 Charleston Golf News New team at Berkeley Country Club puts focus on service Club plans Get Golf Ready and ladies clinics, adds First Tee classes by Chris Dailey M any area golfers already know Berkeley Country Club offers a great golfing experience with its inviting George Cobb design and exceptional greens. Unfortunately, it hasn’t always been known for offering much else, says Will Seastrunk, the club’s general manager. Seastrunk and the club’s new head professional Madison Jeter are hoping to change that. Their goal is to raise the level of service at the club to match the quality of the course and the work done by course superintendent Tadd Brown. “We’ve already got the great golf course conditions. Tadd’s got the greens,” says Seastrunk. “But we want to have the service that makes you want to come back. Service is what’s going to make this grow. If people don’t Berkeley Country Club Head Professional Madison Jeter and General Manager Will Seastrunk are working on improving service and programming. have a good experience when they’re here they’re not coming back.” Both Seastrunk and Jeter bring to the club an extensive background in golf and customer service. Seastrunk started playing golf at Miler Country Club from about the age of two. He played for the club’s Junior Interclub team and went on to play for Summerville High School. He graduated from Lander University with a degree in sports medicine and attended the Culinary Institute of Charleston. He then gained food and beverage experience working as a cook in Seattle and upscale retail experience working at Nordstrom’s. He came back to the Charleston area after deciding “to do something I love,” and started a career in golf. Seastrunk got a job at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Summerville doing club obviously, so if I can help them get a little better not shooting par or breaking 80, it’s still a and schedules gatherings. “We’re probably one of the most affordable repair. At the time, he says, the store was and make they’re round a little more enjoyable, good game that you can enjoy. My grandfather actually had his first hole-in-one at 81.” event venues in the area,” says Seastrunk. the 5th busiest in the country for club repair. that’s my passion.” In addition to teaching, Jeter and Seastrunk “When you think of a southern wedding, we’re Jeter is already working with a number of More than three years ago, he got a chance to work at Berkeley Country Club, and last year golfers, and hopes to help many others improve are looking at ways to improve the level of on a plantation, we have the avenue of oaks, we he moved up to general manager after Bob their game. This year Berkeley Country Club service, whether its cart attendants properly have a beautiful setting.” will be holding a Get Golf Ready weekly clinic greeting golfers, adding a beverage cart service, Another key area of focus for Jeter and Merryman left the position. or adding more social events, such Seastrunk has been the pro shop itself. The club One of the first things Seastrunk did was hire from April 5 to May 3. Each week as wing nights, special dinners and awarded pro shop credit in tournaments, but the Jeter, who he says came highly recommended. will focus on a different area of the wine or bourbon tastings. golfers had virtually nothing to buy with the She previously worked as an assistant game for $20 per clinic. “There’s a lot of things we can do credit, they say. After Get Golf Ready, the club is professional at Coosaw Creek for about four to add to the overall experience of “There were no shirts, a few jackets from a years. Jeter also grew up around the game from planning a ladies only weekly clinic coming out here,” says Jeter. “That’s tournament, not many balls, no ball markers,” an early age, playing across the state on junior focused on making the game more the mentality we had at Coosaw. It’s said Jeter. “You’ve got these members who tours. She played for J.L. Mann High School in accessible to women. a very member-based, customer- don’t want to travel outside of Moncks Corner, Juniors also will have new the Upstate, and then came to the Lowcountry service focused club.” and you’re basically telling them you’ve got to to play for Charleston Southern University, opportunities to learn at Berkeley Berkeley Country Club has a commercial go somewhere else. helping guide the Buccaneers to two Big South this year. The First Tee of Greater Charleston will begin offering classes for the first time at kitchen along with a very large ballroom, and The club has since added a variety of items to titles in the four years she was on the team. already hosts numerous events, including the pro shop, and it’s moving forward on other After trying to get on the LPGA Futures Berkeley. Classes begin on March 9. Jeter says part of what drew her to Berkeley weddings. The club may host as many as 40 improvements around the clubhouse. Tour, Jeter began working in the golf industry “We just want people to have a great and became a PGA Class A Professional during Country Club was the opportunity to grow the weddings this year, says Seastrunk. He says staff members Phyllis Taylor experience when they visit,” says Seastrunk. club’s programming and service in all areas. her time at Coosaw Creek. “That’s where I see a lot of growth potential,” and Amy Lawrence do a great job helping “We’re affordable, we’re fun to play, we’re “I love teaching and growing the game and trying to have everybody enjoy golf the way she says. “If people don’t enjoy playing golf, with operations. Taylor manages the bar and in great condition. Come try it and you’ll get that I do,” says Jeter. “It helps to play well they’re not going to come out. Even if you’re provides food, and Lawrence manages the book hooked.” Charleston Golf News February 17 2016 11 MASTER YOUR MENTAL GAME ... through the first drive ... Golf is a mental game from before you tee up ... ... all the way to the final putt. • Relax under pressure • Add yards and accuracy to your drives • Eliminate yips, hooks and slices • Sink impossible puts • Play better in tournaments ... through the first drive ... Golf is a mental game from before you tee up the ball ... ... all the way to the final putt. If Golf Is Mental ... Motivation Matters ... Hypnotherapy Can Help by Hillary Evans, Clinical Hypnotherapist Tom is also known for being one of the first players fessionals through rose-tinted glasses. People marvel at and study their swing and their putting style. What to work with a sports psychologist because he knew ... why don't golf pros spend more time on the mental aspect of the game? s there anyone on the planet that does not know that There are many definitions of motivation. One of several that I like is "An internal Hypnotherapy is both a treatment and a process that, for golfers and other athletes, the late New York Yankee catcher and Hall of Fam- the public does not see - and, therefore, fails to emu- the game is 100% mental. process that makes a person moved forward to a goal," because it describes the kind late is the mental side of golf, which, according to Jim helps focus the client's mind on specific patterns of thought that result in a desired, er, Yogi Berra, once said, “Baseball is 90% mental Tom Kite currently plays on the Champions Tour. From 1989 to 1994, he was ranked of mentality that professional athlete needs, especially those whose success is not positive outcome when they are on the course. Whether they are professionals, Flick is 100% of what the game is all about. ... Hypnotherapy Can Help and the other half is physical?” among the Top Ten professional golfers. His professional career began in 1972. dependent on team play, but solely on their own. Like golfers. Motivation is entirely mental. Success in golf wannabes, or weekend warriors. Hypnotherapy is both a treatment and a process Although the math doesn’t work, we just know Although he was PGA Player of the Year and was the Tour's leading money winner in doesn’t come entirely from practice. Practice does that, for golfers and other athletes, helps focus the clithere’s something almost perfectly spot-on about his 1981 and 1989, he never won a major tournament until the 1992 U.S Open. That is Spectators and golf enthusiasts tend to look at professionals through rose‐tinted not make perfect. Practice makes permanent. Practice I can't be sure of what percentage is mental, but my success working with golfers in ent’s mind on specific patterns of thought that result remark. In fact, perhaps lesser well known, there have 20 years chasing the carrot without getting a bite. glasses. People marvel at and study their swing and their putting style. What the Hillary Evans, in a desired, positive outcome when they are on the been famous golfers who apparently agree with Yogi. without making mental adjustments ensures perma- an area of the U.S. that is a golfer's paradise has proven to me that "mental" is, indeed, the major component of the game. Hypnotherapy enhances an individual Clinical Hypnotherapist nence but severely reduces the odds of perfection. course. Whether they are professionals, wannabes, or Chi Chi Rodriguez, a great golfer and a bit of a Tom is also known for being one of the first players to work with a sports Then there’s the issue of endurance. Have you no- golfer's ability to focus, to remain calm, and to not allow emotions to adversely weekend warriors. comic in his own right, once said that “Golf is 95% psychologist because he knew the game is 100% mental. I can’t be sure of what percentage is mental, but my mental and 35% psychological.” Apparently Berra ticed that there is only one winner per tournament? affect their game. Call now for a and Rodriguez did not do well in math class. PGA The implication is that most PGA or LPGA golfers success working with golfers in an area of the U.S. complimentary consultation that is a golfer’s paradise has proven to me that “menTour Pro, Jim Flick, however, nailed it when he pro- lose more than they win. Losing week after week can You don't have to BE a professional to use hypnotherapy to improve your game, but tal” is, indeed, the major component of the game. nounced that “90% of golf is mental, and the other be depressing. you should learn to THINK like one. I can help you do that. 10% is mental, too.” Give Mr. Flick a gold star in golf Hypnotherapy enhances an individual golfer’s ability If Golf Is Mental ... to focus, to remain calm, and to not allow emotions to AND math. The first step is to arrange for a free consultation. Whether you schedule a consult at ... why don’t golf pros spend more time on the men- my office in downtown Charleston or arrange for a session via phone or Skype, the adversely affect their game. tal aspect of the game? You don’t have to BE a professional to use hypnoMotivation Matters benefits of hypnotherapy are waiting to be discovered. Call 843‐252‐0573 or contact Tom Kite plays on the Champions Tour. From 1989 me at truehypnosis.com to get started today. therapy to improve your game, but you should There are many definitions of motivation. One of learn several that I like is “An internal process that makes a to 1994, he was ranked among the Top Ten profes- to THINK like one. I can help you do that. The first person move forward to a goal,” because it describes sional golfers. His professional career began in 1972. step is to arrange a free consultation. Whether you the kind of mentality that professional athlete needs, Although he was PGA Player of the Year and was the schedule one at my office in downtown Charleston especially those whose success is not dependent on Tour’s leading money winner in 1981 and 1989, he or via phone or Skype, the benefits of hypnotherapy never won a major until the 1992 U.S Open. That’s 20 are waiting to be discovered. Call 843-252-0573 or team play, but solely on their own. Like golfers. contact me at truehypnosis.com to get started today. Spectators and golf enthusiasts tend to look at pro- years chasing the carrot without getting a bite. e . e e d b e e a ” o , o o r t . e t Why motivation matters in golf, and how hypnosis can help I 843-252-0573 TrueHypnosis.com Must Play SUMMERVILLE by Golf Magazine Four Star Rating from Golf Digest 1925 C O U N T RY C L U B WINTER PLAY PACKAGE SUMMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL GREENWAVE OPEN to benefit the Varsity Golf Team Saturday, March 5th @ Noon Call Pro Shop to sign up Check out our website for more upcoming events! www.summervillecountryclub.com (843) 873-2210 CURRENT SPECIALS 20 Tuesdays 25 Senior Thursdays $ $ F EA T UR I NG T H E H I S T O R I C “ C H I C K ” M I L E R G OL F C O U R S E Book your winter play package now! Come play on our NEW Mini-Verde Greens and ride in our NEW Golf Carts equipped with GPS Touch-Screen technology! Winter Play Package Includes: • 18 Hole Round of Golf with Cart • Warm Up Bag of Range Balls • Yardage Book & Divot Tool • Sleeve of Golf Balls • 18 Hole Replay Card Only $49.99 Available until Feb. 29th CALL 843-767-8988 TO BOOK TODAY! www.CoosawCreek.com 12 February 17 2016 Charleston Golf News Rivertowne Country Club Golf Course Views & Walking Distance to Club House Offered at $449,000 .24 Acre Listed by Charleston Preferred Properties Rivertowne Country Club A true Southern design home overlooking the 7th and 8th holes. Offered at $799,000 3774 sqft • .24 Acre Listed by Keller Williams Real Estate Kiawah – Cougar Point Golf Course Offering long views of the Golf Course. Offered at $1,995,000 5BR • 5.5BA • 4125 sqft • .5Acre Listed by Akers Ellis Real Estate Dunes West Traditional home situated at the 2nd tee box. Offered at $625,000 3160 sqft • 1.03 Acre Stono Ferry Golf & Country Club Views of the pond and the 15th & 16th fairways. Offered at $558,000 3BR • 2.5BA • 3178 sqft • .45Acre Listed by Complete Action Real Estate Services Snee Farm Golf & Country Club Spectacular Views of the 8th Fairway Offered at $530,000 3BR • 2.5BA • 3247 sqft • .48 Acre Listed by Carolina One Real Estate Listed by Carolina One Real Estate Legend Oaks Golf Course New Construction Offered at $396,760 4BR • 3.5BA • 3100 sqft • .24Acre Listed by True Homes LLC Crowfield Golf & Country Club Overlooking the 7th Fairway Offered at $359,900 4BR • 2.5BA • 2851 sqft • .31Acre Listed by Coldwell Banker United Real Estate Information provided by the Charleston Association of Realtors, courtesy David and Veronica Rudick, Carolina One Real Estate PE N DI N G SA L E We Specialize in Golf Course Community Properties David Rudick Commercial & Residential Associate Veronica Rudick, CRS.GRI.SRES Residential Associate 843.817.4683 (David Direct) 843.817.6911 (Veronica Direct) Rudicks@CarolinaOnePlus.com www.Rudicks.com Crowfield Golf & Country Club 681 Hamlet Circle Offered at $335,000 4BR •2.5BA • .4 Acre • 2411 SF Charleston Golf News February 17 2016 13 Get Your Home Coosaw Creek Golf & Country Club Offered at $699,000 4BR • 3.5BA • 4100sqft • .48 Acre Listed by Carolina One Real Estate Coosaw Creek Golf & Country Club Offered at $644,000 5BR • 4.5BA • 4250sqft • .45 Acre Listed by Agent Owned Real Estate Ready For Order Your Plantation Shutters & Blinds Today! SHUTTERS & BLINDS Shadowmoss Golf & Country Club Offered at $498,000 6BR • 4BA • 4039sqft • .65 Acre Listed by ERA Wilder Real Estate Country Club of Charleston Offered at $3,495,000 4BR • 5.5BA • 5846sqft • .56 Acre Listed by Carriage Properties Information provided by the Charleston Association of Realtors, courtesy David and Veronica Rudick, Carolina One Real Estate FREE QUOTES 884-3454 Locally Owned and Operated American Made Products 285-7800 Charleston Area Summerville Area www.bestbuyblindsinc.com 3246 Heathland Way $ 369,900 3244 Heathland Way $ Looking for it all?? This is it.. light bright 4 bedroom home in Golf Community. This home features an Eat-in Kitchen with all new Stainless Appliances ,Granite Counters, Glass Door Cabinets, large pantry, plantation shutters, nice trim package, updated master, and more!!! Desirable floor plan will impress with it's 2 family areas, custom built in shelves, built in computer desk and a fireplace. Real hardwood floors thought out family area. 349,900 LARGE PRICE REDUCTION and MOTIVATED SELLER... Move in Ready waiting for it's new family!!!! Here's the perfectly sized 3 bedroom family style home you've been searching for. Open floor plan with hardwood and tile throughout the downstairs, cozy fireplace and eat in kitchen are just a few of it's great features. All bedrooms upstairs along with a bonus room that can be used as a home office or playroom for the kids. A nice open fenced in back yard and manicured lawns that are the envy of the neighbors. e ra t on C Coming Soon! Cindy Hunt Carolina Elite Real Estate P ct ng i nd 4 Bedroom • 3 Full Bath's • One Level Private Backyard • Park West • $339,000.00 843-697-9633 www.CharlestonBeachBroker.com cindyhuntsc@aol.com 14 February 17 2016 Charleston Golf News Charleston Women’s Golf © Langen, Bowler lead first CALGA event of 2016 A field of 53 players braved the wind and cold to play in Charleston Area Ladies Golf Association (CALGA) tournament at Kiawah Island Resort’s Oak Point course on January 18. Congratulations to the following winners at Oak Point: Field Low Gross Tori Langen 84 Field Low Net Diane Bowler 64 Jaynelle Moore Moore joins WSCGA team T he WSCGA is thrilled to announce our new Tournament Coordinator, Jaynelle Moore. Jaynelle is responsible for managing the WSCGA One Day program. Jaynelle has worked in the golf industry for the past 11 years. She graduated from Catawba College in Salisbury, NC with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management. In just 4 years, she worked hard to improve her game and won several college tournaments and went from worse to first on the team. Jaynelle is a PGA professional and has held a variety of positions at several courses including: • Golf Shop Attendant at Crescent Golf Club in North Carolina • Assistant Pro at Myers Park Country Club in Charlotte • Assistant Pro at Crowfield Golf Club in Goose Creek, SC • Merchandise Manager at Trump National Golf Club in Charlotte • Retail Manager at the Daniel Island Club in South Carolina • Sales Professional for Travis Matthews men’s golf apparel line As the WSCGA Tournament Coordinator Jaynelle is tasked with managing the One Day program and we’re hopeful that through her relationship with the Carolinas PGA that the WSCGA can better improve our partnership with the CPGA. Jaynelle lives in Mt. Pleasant with her husband Ryan and their toy poodle Primrose. In her spare time she loves watching the Pittsburgh Steelers and Georgia Bulldogs, participating in sports, crafting, finding the best food and drinks in Charleston and traveling to Mexico. She is very excited to be joining the WSCGA as a tournament coordinator, creating relationships and sharing her knowledge with everyone involved. Jaynelle can be reached at JMoore@wscga. org. First Flight 1st Low Gross Jeannie Hillock 87 1st Low Net Sue Lord 71 2nd Low Gross Bernice Slezlak 89 2nd Low Net Kyoko Tsuchiya 72 3rd Low Net Laura Rawl 76 Second Flight 1st Low Gross Nancy Johnson 92 1st Low Net Mirella Abbo 70 2nd Low Gross Macky Farber 94 2nd Low Net Chris Murphy 72 3rd Low Net Lucie Wheeler 73 Crowfield ladies kick off ‘16 season T he Crowfield ladies held their 2015 End of Year and 2016 Season Kick Off party. Also the first 2016 meeting was held by the newly elected officers of Cheryl Soucy, President, Pat King, VP, Linda Wilson, Treasurer and Martha Hicks. The outgoing president, MaryKay Ramey received a most unique gift from the members, see picture. Our group has grown from 4 to 24 over the past 10 years. Crowfield is a great place to play golf and socialize and we invite any ladies interested to call the clubhouse for further details. Last year Crowfield completed major renovations at the course that included new, separate women’s tee boxes to make the course more female friendly, along with resurfaced greens, improved fairways, repaved cart paths and two permanent restroom facilities at holes 5 and 14. 2016 CALGA Schedule Jan 18 Kiawah Oak Point Feb 16 Snee Farm Mar 22 Charleston City Club Apr 19 Legend Oaks May 17 Seabrook - Crooked Oaks Jun 21 Crowfield Fourth Flight 1st Low Gross Ginny Beane 100 Jul 19 Santee Cooper 1st Low Net Chiaki Kight 71 Aug 15 RiverTowne 2nd Low Gross Anna Lucia Carlson 106 Sep 19 Dunes West 2nd Low Net Millie Kennedy 72 3rd Low Net Stacy Redman 75 Oct 18 Shadowmoss Nov 15 Wild Dunes - Links Course Full results can be found on the CALGA Dec 12 Coosaw Creek website: www.charlestonlga.org. Third Flight 1st Low Gross Patty Clement 93 1st Low Net Angela Bryant 71 2nd Low Gross Chris Warner 101 2nd Low Net Jane Weisman 75 3rd Low Net Linda Thomas 77 P Charleston Golf News February 17 2016 15 Redefining Freshness Quality - Dependability - Flexibility Residential Commercial Move in-out Vacation Rental Janitorial PGA HOPE growing in 2016 17 sets of clubs donated for program PGA HOPE Fundraiser May 12th Wescott Golf Club will be hosting a fundraising tournament on Thursday, May 12th. The tournament is sponsored by Hardees and by Rich O’Brien the Stand Up and Play Foundation. Sponsorships are available. Entry fee is $75 per playhe PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Ev- er and $300 for a team. For more information, erywhere) Program continues to grow. We call Wescott Golf Club at 843.871.2135 or visit are anticipating about 40 participants this Spring www.wescottgolfclub.com. when the clinic series resumes the week of April 15th. We began the recruiting process for the Donations of old sets to veterans spring series a few weeks ago in conjunction On behalf of the veterans, I would like to with the VA and the response has been tremen- thank everyone that generously donated their dous. used set of clubs so the veterans in the program If you are a wounded warrior and would like would have a set to play with. To date 17 sets more information about the program,please con- have been pledged or donated. I would also like tact Rich O’Brien at 843.826.0837, or via email to thank Sam Smargassi, Fred Gutierrez and Roy at richobriengolf@gmail.com. Robertson for their assistance with this effort. T Liz Guimaraes (11 years of experience) (office) 843.764.2445 (cell) 843.860.5240 liz@mintcleancharleston.com www.MintCleanCharleston.com GOLF FOR GOOD PLAY THE OCEAN COURSE ON KIAWAH ISLAND TO BENEFIT SEA ISLAND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY • • ’ 843-768-0998 www.seaislandhabitat.org 16 February 17 2016 Charleston Golf News Charleston 2016 Rodwell, Galbavy, Avery, Evans in top 10 at Tournament of Champions Players brave cold temps in final round Where Amateurs Play Like Pros! 2016 Charleston Schedule Go to AmateurGolfTour.net for updates. The Ice Breaker $85 Skins Game @ Palmetto Dunes (Jones): $350 Round 1 @ Palmetto Dunes (Jones) Round 2 @ Harbour Town Golf Links Major @ Caledonia Golf & Fish Club: True Blue $190 The Plantation Course at Edisto $78 Links at Stono Ferry $78 Legend Oaks $73 Crowfield Plantation $73 Berkeley CC $73 Seabrook Island (Crooked Oaks) $90 Santee National $73 Charleston National $78 Southern Regional: Skins Game @ Kiawah (Cougar Point): Round 1 @ Kiawah Isl. (Turtle Point) $95 Round 2 @ Kiawah Isl. (Ocean Course) $375 Orangeburg CC $90 Rivertowne $93 Grand Strand Regional: Skins Game @ Pine Lakes CC Round 1 @ Grande Dunes $80 Round 2 @ Pine Lakes CC $190 Seabrook - Ocean Winds: Local Finals @ Santee Cooper GC $90 Local Finals @ Lake Marion $130 10/21-10/23 2016 Golfweek Amateur Tour National Championship Hilton Head, SC Join Today at AmateurGolfTour.net (843) 628-9121 T he Tournament of Champions, featuring club champions from across the state, has had its share of cold weather in its 20-year history, but this year ranks up there with the coldest. The arctic blast that affected the rest of the nation didn’t spare the Tradition Club in Pawleys Island as contestants braved wind chills in the 20’s all day. After all was said and done and the survivors finished, the winner of the Men’s Club division was Wade Ramsey (York) with a three over par 147. In the Senior Club Division, Mike Winners of the 2016 Tournament of Champions at The Tradition Golf Club Gravley (Greer) shot a one over par score of 145 to win by three strokes. Justin Butler (Greer) shot the only under par round of the day Men’s Senior continued with a 71 and a two day total of 146 to take the One Day Gross 2015 Tournament of Champions Craig Monaghan 85-88--173 Division. Mike Minyard (Simpsonville) took the One Day Senior at The Tradition Club Steve Swier 93-80--173 Division with a score of 160. Makalyn Poole (Williamston) shot Pawleys Island Harold Michaels 86-wd-wd Feb. 13-14 an even par score of 72 for a total of 155 to win the Women’s DiMickey Shaine 81-ns-ns vision. In the One Day Net Division, Les Bradstreet (Columbia) Mens Club Champion took top honors in his 19th Tournament of Champions with a net Wade Ramsey 69-78--147 Women’s Division score of 141. Makalyn Poole 83-72--155 Casey Smith 75-73--148 Several Charleston area golfers finished near the top of the Jeremy Revis 77-72--149 Chrissie Spidell 82-83--165 Shanie Cooper 99-94--193 leaderboard. Jenkins Links Golf Associa- Mike Caprio 74-76--150 Dianne Martin 107-95--202 tion’s Evan Rodwell of Charleston had the Evan Rodwell 74-76--150 highest finish among local golfers, tying Jared Beard 78-74--152 One Day Senior for 4th in the Men’s Division. He was Edward Galbavy 74-78--152 Mike Minyard 81-79--160 followed closely by Seabrook Island Brett Parlier 75-77--152 Chris Barnes 79-82--161 Brian Lee 77-76--153 Club champion Ed Galbavy, who tied Jonathan Mackey 78-78--156 Darryl Averyhart 81-83--164 for sixth. Marty Bunch of the Sto- Derrick Oyervides 75-82--157 Ron Basile 80-87--167 no River Golf Association and Ethan Ryan Petz 77-81--158 Jim Ramsey 86-wd-wd Willis of Snee Farm Country Club both Thomas Todd 77-81--158 One Day Net Marty Bunch 82-77--159 finished in the top 20. Les Bradstreet 73-68--141 In the Men’s Senior Division, Berkeley Dean Nance 75-85--160 Rick Oyervides 70-74--144 Country Club senior champion Nick Avery Timothy Pope 82-78--160 Brad Holmes 76-71--147 and Links at Stono Ferry senior champion Jon Evans finished tied Ethan Willis 76-85--161 Dave Amundson 69-79--148 Danny Woodward 84-82--166 for sixth. Kent Hall of Stono River, Brian Lott of Shadowmoss, Paul Turner 68-81--149 Terry Harrelson 85-86--171 Mike Phillips of Legend Oaks and Bill Moore of Dunes West all Ian Stewart 86-88--174 Bob Martin 71-78--149 finished in the top 20 of the division. Greg Hogsed 80-78--158 Ed Tyner 87-95--182 In other divisions, Shanie Cooper of Berkeley Country Club George Boucher 82-ns-ns Wade Miller 82-76--158 came in third among women, and Oren Wood was the runner-up Tadd Brown 79-ns-ns Steven Lee 83-80--163 James Brown 93-ns-ns James Cunnington 86-ns-ns among One Day Gross champions. The 2016 Tournament of Champions field consisted 82 men One Day Gross & women Club and One Day tournament Champions throughout Mens Senior Club Champion Justin Butler 75-71--146 South Carolina. The Tournament of Champions is one of 21 Ma- Mike Gravley 72-73--145 Oren Wood 73-75--148 jor Championships conducted by the South Carolina Golf Associ- Richard Rebholz 72-76--148 Russell Kanagy 74-77--151 Michael Hirsch 79-72--151 ation and is in its 20th year of existence. John Obrien 78-74--152 Walter Odiorne 77-74--151 The SCGA, founded in 1929, is the governing body for ama- Andy Congdon 70-82--152 Duff Wagner 78-75--153 teur golf in South Carolina. As a non-profit organization, the SC- Nick Avery 76-78--154 Dan Constantino 76-78--154 GA’s purpose is to promote, preserve and serve the game of golf. Jon Evans 77-77--154 Martin Kershaw 77-81--158 Eric Nord 76-85--161 Made up of more than 270 member clubs and more than 50,000 Frank Finley 75-80--155 Gregg Erickson 80-87--167 individual members, the SCGA annually conducts 21 SCGA Doug Ramey 79-76--155 Blair Babcock 80-nc-nc statewide championships, 66 one-day contests, eight USGA qual- John Dennis 80-76--156 Josh McMillan 73-nc-nc ifiers, seven 40-plus tournaments and six special events. Other Terry Willis 78-79--157 Holley Wallace 84-wd-wd Kent Hall 80-78--158 Member services offered include GHIN – the USGA Handicap Brian Lott 77-81--158 Computation System, a Tournament Software System and sup- Mike Mahoney 77-81--158 port, Rules of Golf and Handicap education, USGA Course/Slope Mike Phillips 79-80--159 Ratings and Course measuring, Amateur Status information, the Bill Bishop 82-78--160 Palmetto Golfer Magazine and the SC Golf Hall of Fame. The Richard Haddad 80-80--160 SCGA also houses the offices of the SC Junior Golf Foundation Mark Souza 80-80--160 and SC Junior Golf Association in a combined effort to support Bill Moore 81-82--163 Mike Harrison 88-85--173 junior golf and grow the game’s initiatives. Charleston Golf News February 17 2016 17 Pic 1 Pic 2 Pic 3 Pic 4 Technology can help you learn perfect putting practice by Brandon Ray T his is my favorite time of year to write for Charleston Golf News, because I just got back from the PGA Show in Orlando, Florida where I got to attend several seminars with the world’s top instructors and see the latest technology to help you play better golf. So this month I want to share a couple things from the PGA Show that I picked up that can help you putt better. Over the past couple years, the biggest advancement in putting has been the ability to measure the way we read greens, and more accurately determine the break. One of the many things I have learned is that we have always used our eyes to read the greens, but you should also use your feet to feel the slope. I like to feel the slope of a putt by straddling my line anywhere from halfway down the line to the last third of the putt. You can see me doing this in Pic 1 above. As I am straddling the line I feel if my right foot is higher, if it is then I know the putt is breaking right to left, or if my left foot is higher, it’s breaking left to right. I check my ability to read greens through feel and sight by using a free app that I have included in Pic 2 above called BreakMeter, which you can download in the app store. BreakMeter will tell you the exact break. On Tour, the players have this break information down in their yardage books. Once you have a good read, then you must be able to aim and set up the putter to play the break. To work on my set up, I work with another app that is free called iOver golf, which you can see in Pic 3. This app helps me get my eyes over the ball and my putter aimed at the target. During practice on the putting green, I read a putt using BreakMeter and then I set my phone down aimed at the spot I think the putt is going to break off and switch the app to iOver golf and check my eye line by making sure my eyes are over or just inside the ball. Once this is all good, I slide forward an inch or two to a ball and make the putt focused on my speed, Pic 4. Using technology like this that’s available for free on your phone will really speed up your improvement! To learn more ways to practice smart and improve check out my website LowcountryLessons.com. South of Broad before & after: Artificial Lawns Putting Greens Golf Turf Playgrounds Athletic Fields Pet Turf www.PalmettoMoonSyntheticTurf.com FREE ESTIMATE! CALL MARTY! 843.618.6611 18 February 17 2016 Charleston Golf News Record rainfall on courses in 2015 Name: Jeff Minton Date and Place of Birth: Red Bank, NJ Currently Living In: Mount Pleasant Family: Wife – Poe and 2 boys Andrew 12 and Austin 9 Head Professional at: Wild Dunes Years there: 10 years Favorite Local Golf Course (other than yours): Pinehurst #2 Wild Dunes Head Golf Clubs in Your Bag: Professional, Jeff Minton Driver/Woods: Callaway driver Irons: Callaway Razr Irons Wedges: Callaway Mac- Daddy 52 and 56 degree wedges Putter: Scotty Cameron Newport 2 What got you HOOKED? Growing up and working on a Golf Course in Tucson, Arizona I found myself playing and practicing at any time I wasn’t working or in school. The love for the game just continued from there. Most Influential to You in Golf and Why? My father didn’t have the time to play much when I was growing up; however he always encouraged me to play and practice to be the best you can be. He also taught me that the life lessons learned from golf will be with you forever. After he retired we were able to share many rounds of golf together all over the country which was also very special. Most Memorable Golf Moment: Most memorable golf moment was the day I was recruited as a junior in high school to play golf at the University of Arizona. Give us a tip! Sand Play: Many golfers dread having to hit out of greenside bunkers. However with the proper technique and a little practice bunker shots can be less intimidating. As is the case with all shots, proper fundamentals are key in successful sand shots. In a greenside bunker focus on the following three thoughts: First, dig your feet in the sand, this will help ensure that the club contacts the sand beneath the ball; this is also a great way to determine the texture and consistency of the bunker. Second, keep the clubface slightly open allowing the natural bounce of the club to slide through the sand. If the ball is slightly buried square the clubface allowing the leading edge the club to dig the ball out of the bunker. Third, be sure to always make a full swing. The displacement of sand from the bunker will get the ball up and out. Increasing or decreasing the speed of your full swing in the bunker will be a good way to control the distance of the shot. The following bunker play drills will give all golfers more confidence. 1. While practicing bunker shots, swing the club and try to splash sand out of the bunker and onto the green. This will be sure that the club in contacting the sand behind the ball and that the player is making a full swing. 2. Try practicing hitting Tennis Balls out of the bunker. This will ensure the proper amount and depth of sand is being displaced as well as assists in developing proper swing speed for bunker shots. 3. In the practice bunker, tee the ball up so the top of the tee is slightly above the level of the sand. Take a normal swing and focus on just clipping the top of the tee. This drill promotes a shallower swing path and better bunker shots. “Know your Pro” is a regular feature spotlighting PGA professionals working in the Charleston area. The feature is produced by Art Corbin, art@charlestongolfnews.com. The CofC Men’s Golf team bag this spring. CofC honors Jackson Moore Members of The College of Charleston Men’s Golf Team are showing how much former teammate Jackson Moore means to them. Each team member will have Jackson’s name on their bag this spring. “In honor of Jack we will use this bag for the spring! We love you Jack!” said Mark McEntire, coach of the men’s team. Moore, a highly regarded local golfer from the Isle of Palms, passed away on Nov. 29 in a car accident on the Isle of Palms. He was 21. Moore was a business administration major and a senior on the men’s golf team. Donations can be made in Jackson’s name to the South Carolina Junior Golf Association. 2016 NEEDTOBREATHE Classic Musicians, professional athletes and other celebrities will gather for the fourth annual NEEDTOBREATHE Classic golf tournament on March 21 at the Daniel Island Club. This annual event is hosted by Commonwealth Cares Foundation and Grammy Awardnominated rock ‘n’ roll band NEEDTOBREATHE. Proceeds benefit Palmetto Medical Initiative, which builds self-sustaining medical clinics in areas dramatically in need of affordable, quality health care. The 2015 tournament netted $110,000 for PMI’s work in Nicaragua and Uganda. SCGA awards Jordans, Monday after the Masters The SCGA’s annual meeting was held in conjunction with Golf Day and recognized year-end award winners. SCGA named Spring Valley CC as the 2015 Club of the Year. Tommy and Susan Jordan of Rock Hill became the first ever couple to be awarded the Charles Drawdy Distinguished Service Award for their volunteer work with the South Carolina Junior Golf Association, including 22 years as chapter directors. The Hootie and Blowfish’s Monday After the Masters (MAM) tournament board was selected as the Tom Fazio Service to Golf Award for their exceptional work and performance for the 22 years that the event has existed. Area golf courses are still trying to dry out from the record rainfall received in 2015. Most area courses received more than 70 inches of rain for the year, nearly two dozen inches above normal. Most of that excess rain came between October 1-5 when a low pressure system stalled and funneled moisture from Hurricane Joaquin, dumping more than 25 inches of rain in some spots. Despite being far above average in rainfall, the number of days with measurable precipitation was not much higher. According to records at the airport, a total of 74.89 inches of rain fell in 2015, breaking the old record of 72.99 set in 1964. The total number of days with measurable rainfall was 118, five more than average. Course operators are hoping for a little less rainfall in 2016. The saturated ground should dry out quickly, they say, after we get a stretch of dry weather with warmer temperatures and spring breezes. Hopefully, that also brings a few less cart path-only days. New longest course in South Carolina Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course has been the longest course in South Carolina at more than 7,800 yards. Later this year that distinction will go to the Eagle Next Golf in Little River, which is adding new back tee boxes to its layout, increasing its length by 1,000 yards. When the new tees are in place the course will play at 7,900 yards from the back tees. Little River has also added forward tees to make the course more playable for those who prefer a shorter layout, but the course said it also wanted to provide a challenging option for those who like a long course. Fuller elected SCGA President Former Clemson football All-American QB Steve Fuller was elected president in January of the South Carolina Golf Association. The 59-year-old Fuller, who is a Development Partner with Colleton River Plantation, has served on the SCGA’s Executive Board since 2004. Officers elected to the SCGA Board joining Fuller include: Vice President Ron Swinson of Blythewood, Secretary Vic Hannon of Camden and Treasurer Jeff Connell also of Blythewood, Re-elected Board members inSteve Fuller clude: Mike Whitaker (Greenville), Justin Converse (Spartanburg), John Durst (Columbia), Rick Cloninger (Ft. Mill), Rick Miller (Pawleys Island), Rob Reeves (Greenville), Mike Murphy (Bluffton), Jay Self (Greenville), John Moore (Anderson), Larry Beidelman (Dataw Island), David Seawell (Aiken) and Ben Zeigler (Florence). Joining as new board members are Danny Stubbs (Columbia) and Luther Cochrane (Charleston). John Lopez (Murrells Inlet) now serves as the Immediate Past President. SCGA was formed in 1929 to serve the golf needs of member clubs and the golfers of South Carolina. The SCGA has some 283-member clubs with over 57,000 individual golfers on their membership system. New HVAC at The Muni Charleston Municipal Golf Course will have a completely new HVAC system in place by the time the weather warms up this spring. Work is proceeding on the project that includes entirely new ductwork, a new high efficiency HVAC system, a new kitchen exhaust system, insulation, ceiling finishes and other improvements. The pro shop, now in temporary quarters, will be able to move back into the clubhouse upon completion of the project, which is expected in March. Charleston Golf News February 17 2016 19 2016 Schedules & Tournament Calendar WSCGA Women’s South Carolina Golf Association Mar 8, One Day Four Ball, Berkeley Hall North Course Mar 8, One Day Stroke Play, DeBordieu Club Mar 21-22, Team Championship Palmetto Hall Cupp Course April 11, One Day - Solheim Cup Snee Farm CC April 11, One Day - Stroke Play Beech Creek GC April 12, One Day - Stroke Play, Pebble Creek Club April 18, Jane Covington, Orangeburg Country Club April 29, Palmetto Cup Championship Woodfin Ridge GC May 3, One Day Four Ball Pinecrest GC May 3, One Day Four Ball Fort Mill GC May 10-11, Senior Championship Briars Creek Golf Club May 21-22, Green Valley Girls Classic Green Valley CC June 7, One Day Stroke Play Summerville CC (Miler) June 7, One Day Four Ball Hillcrest GC June 7, One Day Stroke Play Southern Oaks GC June 8-10, Junior Championship Greenwood CC June 13-15, Amateur Championship, Green Valley CC June 23, USGA Junior Girls Qualifier Columbia CC July 11, One Day Stroke Play, Reserve at Woodside Plantation July 12, One Day Four Ball, Brookstone Meadows July 12, One Day Stroke Play Old Tabby Links Spring Island August 5-7, GA-SC Junior Girls Challenge Match, The Ford Plantation Richmond Hill August 9, One Day Four Ball, Shadowmoss Plantation August 9, One Day Stroke Play, Cliffs at Glassy August 9, One Day Best 2 of 4, Savannah Lakes Village August 10, USGA Women's Mid-Amateur Qualifier, CC of Lexington August 20-21, Cross State Shootout, Columbia CC Sept 12, One Day Stroke Play, Long Cove Club Sept 13, One Day Four Ball, Charwood Sept 13, One Day Four Ball, Whispering Pines Sept 20-23, Match Play Championship, Oldfield GC Sept 24-25, High School Girls Invitational, The Sanctuary at Cat Island Oct 11, One Day Stroke Play, CC of Newberry Oct 11, One Day Four Ball, CC of South Carolina Oct 11, One Day Stroke Play, Carolina CC Oct 22-23, Mixed Team Championship, Fripp Island Ocean Course Nov 1, One Day Stroke Play, True Blue Plantation Nov 1, One Day Four Ball, GC at Star Fort Nov 1, One Day Stableford, Cross Creek Plantation Nov 12-13, Carolinas Net Championship, Pine Lakes CC Dec 12, One Day Stroke Play, Kiawah Island River Course Dec 12, One Day Four Ball, Port Royal GC SCJGA South Carolina Junior Golf Association Jan 18, The Thrill at Rock Hill, Rock Hill CC Feb 6-7, Sea Pines Junior Heritage, Harbour Town Golf Links Feb 15, Pee Dee Classic 1 Day, Darlington CC Mar 13, Pee Wee Championship, Columbia CC Mar 19, Caddie Classic, Windermere Club Mar 28, Fox Run Country Club - One Day May 7, Par 3 Championship, Carolina Golf Center, Columbia Jun 4-5, 21st Annual Jimmy Self Invitational, Greenwood CC Jun 23-24, 64th Grant Bennett Florence Jr Invitational, Florence CC Jul 12-13, 18th Annual Blade Junior Classic, Thornblade Club Aug 9-10, Beth Daniel Junior Azalea, CC of Charleston Aug 20-21, Tommy Cuthbert All Stars, Ocean Winds GC, Seabrook Island Sep 17-18, Bobby Chapman, CC of Spartanburg Oct 1-2, 21st Annual Tradition Four Ball, Pebble Creek CC Oct 15, Calhoun Shootout One Day Oct 15, Pee Dee Pee Wee, Traces GC Nov 5-6, 22nd Cheraw Fall Challenge, Cheraw State Park Nov 19-20, 20th Annual Players Championship, Hartsville CC Nov 23, Thanksgiving Eve One Day, Columbia CC Dec 4, Morgan Lucas Team Championship, Greenville CC Dec 17-18, Ford-Picard Christmas Classic, Wild Dunes GC Dec 30, New Years Eve Eve One Day Santuary GC - Cat Island, Beaufort SCGA South Carolina Golf Association Jan 23-24, 20th Annual Tournament of Champions, The Tradition Club Mar 5-6, 24th Annual Partners Championship, Spring Valley CC & The Members Club at WildeWood Mar 21-22, 23rd Annual Senior Four-Ball Championship, Dataw Island Club April 25, 34th Annual SCGA Trescott Championship, The Patriot Golf Club May 10-12, 58th Annual Senior Championship, Orangeburg CC May 17-18, 2nd Annual Super Senior Four-Ball Championship, The Plantation Course at Edisto May 25-29, 53rd Annual Four-Ball Championship, Spartanburg CC June 7-9, 58th Annual Junior Championship, Links at Stono Ferry June 12, Regular One Day, Sunday, Hillcrest GC, Orangeburg June 23, 49th Annual Dudley-Sullivan Father-Son Championship, Greenville CC - Riverside & Green Valley CC June 25-26, 41st Annual Lefthander Championship &, Lake Marion GC June 25-26, 40th Annual Left-Righty Championship, Lake Marion GC June 29, Amateur Championship Qualifying - Site 1, Oak Hills GC July 5, Amateur Championship Qualifying - Site 2, Columbia CC July 10, Regular One Day, Sunday, Lake Marion Golf Club, Santee July 11, Amateur Championship Qualifying - Site 3, Coosaw Creek CC July 13, Amateur Championship Qualifying - Site 4, Greenwood CC July 22-23, 41st Annual SCGA-GA Junior Team Matches, Idle Hour CC Aug 4-7, 85th Annual Amateur Championship, DeBordieu CC Aug 20-21, 22nd Annual Mid-Amateur Four-Ball Championship, Camden CC Sept 3-4, 43rd Annual Senior Better-Ball Championship, Santee CC Sept 17-18, 32nd Annual Players Four-Ball Championship, Columbia CC Sept 18, Regular One Day, Sunday, Santee National GC, Santee Oct 18-19, 10th Annual Harry Wilson Super Sr Championship, Florence CC Oct 9-11, 35th Annual Mid-Amateur Championship, CC of Lexington Oct 22-23, 19th Annual Mixed Team Championship, Ocean Point GC 35th Annual Palmetto Cup Matches, TBA, TBA Oct 17, 40+ Series Event, RiverTowne Country Club, Mount Pleasant Nov 12-13, Carolinas Net Amateur Championship, Pine Lakes CC Nov 21, 9th Annual SCGA Lathrop Cup, The Patriot GC Dec 3, Regular One Day, Saturday, Kiawah Island Golf Resort – Oak Point, Kiawah Island Dec 4, Regular One Day, Sunday, Seabrook Island Club, Seabrook Island January, 2017, 21st Annual Tournament of Champions, The Tradition Club USGA United States Golf Association May 9, Open Qualifying, Carolina CC, Spartanburg May 17, Open Qualifying , Secession GC, Beaufort June 14, Junior Amateur Qualifying, Santee National, Santee June 27, Senior Open Qualifying, Daniel Island Club July 20-21, Amateur Qualifying, Oldfield GC Bluffton August 1, Mid-Amateur Qualifying, Spring Valley, Columbia August 29, Senior Amateur Qualifying, Columbia CC Sept. 29, Am Four Ball Qualifying, The Reserve Club SPONSORED BY CGA Carolinas Golf Association Mar 21, Carolinas Mid-Amateur Qualifier, Alamance CC, Burlington NC Mar 29, Carolinas Mid-Amateur Qualifier, Windermere Club, Blythewood, SC Mar 30, Carolinas Mid-Amateur Qualifier, Dolphin Head Golf Club, Hilton Head April 6, Carolinas Mid-Amateur Qualifier, Highland Creek Golf Club, Charlotte April 9, Carolinas Mid-Amateur Qualifier, Timberlake Golf Club, Clinton, NC April 15-17, 36th Carolinas Mid-Amateur Championship, Dataw Island Club (Cotton Dike) April 19-21, 48th Carolinas Senior Four-Ball Championship, North Ridge CC, Raleigh, NC April 25, 39th Carolinas Club Championship, Sedgefield CC, Greensboro May 4-8, 65th Carolinas Four-Ball Championship, Camden CC June 2-3, 8th Carolinas Super Senior Championship, Jefferson Landing, Jefferson, NC June 15-19, 44th South Carolina Amateur Match Play Championship, Bear Creek GC, Hilton Head June 30, Carolinas Amateur Qualifier, Wescott GC (Burn/Black), Summerville July 7, Carolinas Amateur Qualifier, Columbia CC, Blythewood July 14-17, 102nd Carolinas Amateur Championship, Country Club of Charleston, (open May 3, Close June 14) July 22, 50th Carolinas Father-Son Championship, Pinehurst area courses July 22, 19th Carolinas Parent-Child Championship, Pinehurst area courses August 20-21, 11th Carolinas Mixed-Team Championship Pinehurst CC (No. 5) August 22, Senior Four-Ball One Day, Daniel Island Club (Ralston Creek), Daniel Island) August 23, Senior Four-Ball One-Day, Patriots Point Links, Mt. Pleasant August 22, Carolinas Senior Amateur Qualifier, Brier Creek CC, Raleigh August 23, Carolinas Senior Amateur Qualifier, Ballantyne CC, Charlotte August 25, Carolians Senior Amateur Qualifier, Spring Valley CC, Columbia Sept 1, Carolinas Senior Amateur Qualifier, Carolina Trace, Sanford, NC Sept 7, Carolinas Senior Amateur Qualifier, Statesville CC, Statesville, NC Oct 10-11, 5th Carolinas Super Senior Four Ball Championship, Rock Hill CC Oct 14-15, 71st Captain’s Putter Team Matches Kinloch GC, Manakin-Sabot, VA Nov 12-13, 6th Carolinas Net Amateur Championship, Pine Lakes CC, Myrtle Beach Nov 19-20, Carolinas Interclub Final Four, Pinewild CC (Magnolia, Pinehurst) Dec 13, Senior Four-Ball One Day, Wild Dunes, Isle of Palms Dec 14, Senior Four-Ball One Day, Wild Dunes, Isle of Palms tbd 9th Carolinas Young Amateur Championship Local Events Mar 12-13, Men's City Four Ball Championship, Charleston Municipal Mar 14, Azalea Invitational Qualifier, CC of Charleston Mar 31 - April 3, Azalea Invitational, CC of Charleston May 12, Charleston Senior Open, Legend Oaks CC May 13-15, Men's City Amateur, Charleston Municipal May 27-29, Chick Miler Invitational, Summerville CC June 7-9, U.S. Women's Military Dependant Golf Tournament, Wrenwoods Golf Course Charleston Air Force Base June 10-11, Ladies' and Ladies' Senior City Amateur, Charleston Municipal June 21-25, Rice Planters Amateur, Snee Farm CC June 25-26, Father-Son-Daughter at Summerville CC June 28-29, U.S. Kids National, Patriots Point Links July 12-13, Junior Al Esposito Championship, Charleston Municipal August 5-6-7, Mount Pleasant Open, Patriots Point Links August 13-14, Exeter Cup, Berkeley CC Sept 2-4, Berkeley Invitational, Berkeley CC Sept 9-11, North Charleston Open, Wescott GC Sept 189-20, Charleston AFB Senior Inv, Charleston Air Force Base Wrenwoods GC Sept 28 - October 1, Senior Azalea Invitational, CC of Charleston Oct 3-5, Yeamans Hall Senior Invitational, Yeamans Hall Club Oct 30, Cuthbert Cup, Summerville Country Club Oct 31 - Nov. 1, Berkeley Senior Invitational, Berkeley CC Nov 11-13, Men's Senior City Amateur, Charleston Municipal Nov 19-20, Johnny Adams Mixed Team, Charleston Municipal Dec 10, Parent Child Championship, Charleston Municipal 20 February 17 2016 Charleston Golf News Charleston Junior Golf SCJGA Rankings © New STEM Links program helps students learn by studying science behind golf Top 3 and local area juniors Boys rankings (February 1, 2016) 1 Trent Phillips (Inman, ‘18) 2 Christian Salzer (Sumter, ‘16) 3 Caleb Proveaux (Lexington, ‘16) 16 Jamie Wilson (Mt. P, ‘16) 17 Zakariya Butt (S’ville, ‘16) 28 Jackson Cole (P. Isl, ‘18) 33 Wil Sheppard (Mt. P, ‘17) 38 Jacob Morris (Hollywood, ‘17) 40 Ky Matsumoto (N. Chrlston, ‘17) 43 Ethan Willis (Mt. P, ‘17) 45 Kent Lawrence (Mt. P, ‘18) 48 Kyle Spencer (Mt. P, ‘17) 53 Drayton Stewart (Chrlston, ‘19) 60 Ben Quinque (Mt. P, ‘17) 72 Ben Burton (Charleston, ‘16) 79 Ethan Vallery (Pawleys Isl, ‘16) 92 John Paul Velasquez (Mt. P, ‘20) 108 J.R. Stark (S’ville, ‘16)) 117 Joseph Keene (Charleston) 120 Trey Salley (P. Isl, ‘17) 124 Nicholas Bunker (Mt. P, ‘17) 136 Max Kastenholz (N. Chlstn, ‘17) 144 Jared Courtenay (Mt. P, ‘18) 165 Carson Crocker (Mt. P) 175 Jackson Trigiani (Smville, ‘17) 182 Chase McDonald (S’ville, ‘17) 188 Chris Kaylor (P. Isl, ‘16) 216 Barron Knight (S’ville,) 227 Zary Gouin, (P. Isl, ‘19) 233 Austin Mosher (Mt. P, ‘20) 257 Willis Rogers (Charleston, ‘19) 284 Austin Scott (Daniel Isl., ‘21) 293 Wilson Yearout (Mt. P) 299 Wyatt Gardner (Smville, ‘18) 302 BJ Grevey (Mt. P) 309 Cooper Snow (Edisto Isl, ‘16) 314 Andrew Kaslick (Smville, ‘20) 1835.75 1458.50 1425.25 651.40 646.00 433.00 380.90 337.00 326.50 325.00 316.63 307.40 279.50 248.13 215.50 193.45 161.50 145.50 128.50 127.00 124.50 111.00 98.00 77.00 71.00 66.00 65.00 56.00 51.50 50.50 41.00 33.50 31.00 29.00 29.00 27.00 26.00 Girls Rankings (February 1, 2016) 1 Ashley Czarnecki (Greenville, ‘16) 2 Gracyn Burgess (Bburg-Lsvl, ‘18) 3 Kathleen Sumner (Daniel Isl., ‘17) 17 Kate Harper (Isle of Palms, ‘16) 21 Taylor Mayers (S’ville, ‘16) 31 Delanie Mortier (N. Chlston, 17) 52 Annette Paxton (S’ville, 17) 61 Grace Zoller (S’ville, ‘18) 66 Hannah Fesperman (Gtwn, ‘17) 72 Michaela McAuley (S’ville, ‘16) 73 Lauren Fix (Summerville, ‘18) 79 Kennedy Carroll (Mt. P, ‘19) 80 Emma Wofford (Mt. P, ‘17) 84 Gaby Martinez (Mt. P, ‘19) 94 Ce Ce Knecht (N. Chlstn) 96 Lexi Lucarelli (Mncks Cnr) 107 Emma Schimpf (D. Isl, ‘21) 112 Abigail Schimpf (D. Isl, ‘20) 118 Rachel Rich (Mt. P., ‘20) 161 Emma Smith (Mt. P., ‘18) 2246.50 1830.00 1444.50 651.50 572.00 333.50 160.00 118.00 107.50 94.00 92.50 83.50 82.50 73.50 56.50 54.00 38.00 35.00 30.00 7.50 SCJGA funds pilot program; national launch this spring T he South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation supported the debut of The First Tee STEM Links Field Guide pilot program in South Carolina. The pilot program took place this past fall at Houndslake Country Club (HCC) and at The Country Club of Spartanburg (CCS). The First Tee of Aiken (TFTA) and The First Tee of Spartanburg & Cherokee Counties (TFTS&CC) were two of only six chapters across the country selected to administer the pilot program, which will be launched nationwide in the spring of 2016. The program affords field trip opportunities for fourth and fifth grade students to conduct STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) experiments at partnering golf courses to learn about the rich golf course ecosystem and how golf courses sustain and conserve their environments. Staff members from the South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation (SCJGF), South Carolina Junior Golf Association (SCJGA), The First Tee Home Office, TEQ Games (creators of the Field Guides), and Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association will all be on hand to make this event possible. Upstate attorney and SCJGF Board of Trustees Chairman, Rick Vieth, has played a key role in enlisting support from both the Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association and the SCJGF. The SCJGF has provided $25,000 funding for the STEM Links pilots administered by the Aiken and Spartanburg chapters. Vieth has also facilitated meetings with TEQGames, curriculum developer, and The First Tee national, which is overseeing the pilot program. “Growing the game of golf through STEM Links field trips and classroom learning has amazing potential nationwide,” said Vieth. “The South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation is excited to be the first junior golf foundation to collaborate with The First Tee and TEQGames in this endeavor.” Two schools and nearly 100 fourth and fifth grade students participated in the two pilot programs. Teachers conducted pre-field trip and post-field trip activities with their students to introduce experiment concepts and reinforce learning. According to Houston Principal, Mark Hendry, “We are thrilled at the opportunity for our fifth-graders to conduct STEM experiments in a ‘living laboratory,’ bringing science to life for our students.” Topics covered in the two local pilots The First Tee Stem Links Field Guide pilot program, which creates new teaching opportunities for youth through golf, was held in the fall at Houndslake Country Club and The Country Club of Spartanburg. The program was supported by the South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation. T g c t Students were divided into groups for each ex-R perimental session lasting about 45 minutes per “Growing the game of topic. All instructions, supplies and equipmentH golf through STEM Links will be provide for the students. i Jeff Gattis, HCC Golf Course Superintendent field trips and classroom and Harold Burns, CCS Certified Golf CourseH learning has amazing Superintendent, are the two host SuperintendentsB involved in the pilots. potential nationwide” t “We are proud to be able to participate in a program that will not only improve and addt SCJFG Chairman Rick Vieth players to this great game, but also add to theirD personal development as students and productive members of society,” remarked Tim Kreger, will include Agrostology, Botany, Ecology, Executive Director of the Carolinas Golf Course Entomology, Hydrology and Pedology. All of Superintendents Association. “It’s truly a rethese topics and more are covered in the STEM markable program we are lucky to be a part of,” Links program and vital sciences relative to the he added. Kreger is also a member of the SCJGF golf course ecosystems. Board of Trustees. Charleston Golf News February 17 2016 21 High school teams swing into 2016 spring season Previews for Bishop England, Summerville, West Ashley by Kathy Chickarello T he boy’s high school golf teams around the Lowcountry are holding tryouts and hoping for warmer weather, as they get ready to start their spring season. Competition starts in February and ends at their respective state championships held in late April and early May. Wes Mitchell has taken over the both the boys and girls golf teams at Summerville High School. Mitchell is looking forward to a successful season for the boys, with fourteen returning players plus one new addition. “We have a solid group of upper classmen that will compete for playing spots in our matches,” commented Mitchell, “and a group of younger guys that will only get better throughout the season”. Seniors Michael Dietz, Barron Knight, Brett Von Nessen and Nick Walters will be the players to watch as they have been playing well. Shaun Haggerty is the head coach of the Boys Varsity Golf Team at West Ashley High School. “We expect to improve upon last season in which the team advanced to the Lower State Championship” commented Haggerty. ing and eventful season,” states Coach Greavu. “We’ll have a good blend of experienced returners and talented new players vying for spots on travel the team, which brings a good energy and heightened expectations.” Returning seniors Jamie Wilson and Ben Burton will be leading the team this year. Wilson, a University of South Carolina signee, is the two time defending AA Individual State Champion. Burton is a three year letter winner, a member of the previous state championship teams and an active college recruit. Completing the team for BE are returning juniors Austin Dowd, Brendan McHale, Kathleen Sumner and Ben Quinque plus new players from spring tryouts that will fill the remaining spots on the roster. Players to keep an eye on are Quinque, who is garnering attention from college golf programs, as he comes back after a successful off-season which included two 1st place finishes, a 2nd place finish and two top ten finishes in local tournaments. Sumner, a Florida State commit, back for her second year on the boys team, helped lead the BE girls team to their first ever AA SC Girls Golf State Championship last fall, taking individual medalist honors at the event. The team will be playing in several competitive invitation only tournaments across the state this season, including the prestigious Southern Bishop England Senior Ben Burton, right, with teammate Ben Quinque. Cross and the Georgia-South Carolina Cup that features the top eight teams from each state. The team has three returning golfers, Riley Thompson and D.J. Williamson, who will help BE will also be hosting the BE Tournament of Brown, Ben Harley and Jacob Morris. Morris West Ashley improve from a good 2015 season. Champions, which features the 2015 SC Golf Head coach John Greavu will be leading the State Championship teams from all five high is coming off an All-Region season and Brown who was just one stroke away from be named Bishop England High School Boys Golf Team school classes plus three at large bid teams, in a All-Region, are the players to watch this year. as they come off their 3rd straight AA SC Boys match play format at the Daniel Island Club on Newcomers to the team in 2016 include Luis State Golf Championship. “This will be an excit- April 17-18, 2016. MLK Day Tournament at Daniel Island Club helps kick off season T Junior Classic he MLK Day Tournament, hosted by SCJGA on January 17 and January 18, gave junior golfers a great opportunity to get ready for the competitive season ahead. It also gave the junior golfers a chance to put their skills to test on the Rees Jones-designed -Ralston Creek Course at Daniel Island Club. r Jacob Morris, a member of the West Ashley tHigh School team and an All-Region selection in 2015, won by six strokes among Boys 15-18. t Carson Crocker, a freshman on the Wando eHigh School team, won by four strokes in the sBoys 13-14 group and Grant Hutchinson won the Boys 10-12 group. a Olivia Erwin of James Island shot a 78 in dthe final round to edge Taylor Mayers of Fort rDorchester in the Girls 13-18 division. , MLK Day Tournament e at Daniel Island Club (Ralston Creek) - Boys 15-18 ” Jacob Morris 38-76--114 F Jack Wilson 40-80--120 Ky Matsumoto 44-77--121 Matthew Campbell 39-84--123 Ian Stewart 40-84--124 Tommy Holloway 44-84--128 Daniel Mock 39-91--130 Zary Gouin 44-89--133 Wyatt Gardner 49-93--142 Richard Martin 47-100--147 Kevin Bates 47-104—151 Boys 13-14 Carson Crocker 41-85—126 Joe Stowe 44-86—130 Johnny Velasquez 41-91—132 Austin Scott 45-88—133 Matthew Brown 49-90—139 Jackson McGowan 47-92—139 Luis Thompson 46-93—139 Jake Snelgrove 41-98—139 Ethan Kitts 45-96—141 J Mike Flintom 46-96—142 Jesse Nguyen 46-104—150 Chandler Cool 49-103—152 Brandon Johnson 55-102—157 Nick Velasquez 52-106—158 Chap Hutchinson 53-110—163 Boys 10-12 Grant Hutchinson 49—49 Girls 13-18 Olivia Erwin 42-78—120 Taylor Mayers 38-84—122 Emma Schimpf 42-86—128 Delanie Mortier 44-85—129 Abigail Schimpf 43-86—129 Cecelia Knecht 47-95—142 Kayleigh Reinke 50-100—150 Kennedy Broadway 55-106—161 at Harbour Town B lustery and cold conditions greeted the field at Harbour Town Golf Links for the final round of the 2016 Sea Pines Junior Heritage. In the ladies division, Madison Moosa (Charlotte, NC) held onto her first day lead and Kaito Onishi (Bradenton, FL) had the round of the day to both claim the Championship. Conditions were extremely tough on the 84 competitors as wind gusted up to 25 miles an hour and temperatures hovered at 45 degrees. Some of Charleston’s top juniors were in the highly competitive field. Jamie Wilson (74-80-154) tied for 15th, Kent Lawrence (83-79--162) tied for 38th, and Wil Sheppard (86-81--167) tied for 53rd. On the girls side, Kathleen Sumner of Daniel Island finishined in third (78-77--155), and Kate Harper of Mt. Pleasant tied for 11th (80-84-164). 22 February 17 2016 Charleston Golf News U.S. Kids Charleston Tour Spring Schedule T he U.S. Kids Charleston Tour is set to begin its spring season. For more information about the Charleston Tour contact Greg Ray at gregoryaray@bellsouth.net U.S. Kids Golf Local Tours are created to provide boys and girls, ages 5 to 14, the opportunity to advance their skills in the game in age-appropriate competition without having to take the time and incur the costs of having to travel long distances. A Local Tour consists of one-day tournaments including a season-ending one-day Local Tour Championship. Yardages vary based on age groups. Players earn awards and points for each tournament. Similar to the PGA Tour, players at U.S. Kids Golf events are encouraged to have caddies to help them play their best. Allowing caddies is a special component of our tournaments and is part of our commitment to encouraging family interaction that builds lasting memories. Players age 8 and under must have a caddie at all times. Brandon Ray named U.S. Kids Master Kids Teacher Named top youth golf coach for third consecutive year B randon Ray, Teaching Professional at Patriots Point Links in Mount Pleasant, has been named to U.S. Kids Golf’s annual list of Master Kids Teachers. The award recognizes the world’s most outstanding youth golf instructors, and Brandon Ray is part of a select group that earned Top 50 accolades three consecutive times, making him a Master Kids Teacher. The award was presented to Ray at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fl. in January. Since 2004, U.S. Kids Golf has honored the best youth golf teachers with the Top 50 Kids Teacher Award. Applicants complete an online survey and winners are chosen based on contributions to youth golf, such as: experience with young golfers; time devoted to teaching youth; innovation, creativity and fun in their programs; communication; parental involvement; use of a well-organized instruction program and overall effort to grow the game. Each year, award recipients include teachers at public, private, resort and municipal courses. “The teachers and coaches who win this award play an important part in our corporate mission to make the game of golf fun for kids,” said Dan Van Horn, President and CEO of U.S. Kids Golf. “Our goal in recognizing these youth golf coaches is to recognize their accomplishments and also to help parents find quality golf instruction for their kids.” The Top 50 Kids Teacher Award is administered by the U.S. Kids Golf Coaches Institute, a Brandon Ray of Mt. Pleasant receives his Master Kids Teacher award at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando in January. It was his third straight US Kids Golf Top 50 Junior Coaches Award. division of the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation. The foundation, a Georgia non-profit recognized as a 501(c)(3) charity, provides services that include competition and instruction. The foundation organizes over 800 tournaments each year for more than 10,000 players, ages 5-18, including a local U.S. Kids Tour in Charleston. For more information about the Top 50 Kids Teacher Award, please contact U.S. Kids Golf at playandlearn@uskidsgolf.com. For more information about Brandon Ray and lesson opportunities at lowcountrylessons.com. U.S. Kids Charleston Tour Schedule 2016 Spring Season Shadowmoss Plantation Golf Club Event Date: Feb 20, 2016 Registration: Jan 26 - Feb 15 Late Registration: Feb 16 - Feb 17 Pine Forest Country Club Event Date: Feb 28, 2016 Registration: Jan 26 - Feb 23 Late Registration: Feb 24 - Feb 25 Daniel Island Club Event Date: Mar 28, 2016 Registration: Jan 26 - Mar 23 Late Registration: Mar 24 - Mar 25 Charleston Municipal Golf Course Event Date: Apr 24, 2016 Registration: Jan 26 - Apr 19 Late Registration: Apr 20 - Apr 21 The Seabrook Island Club - Ocean Winds Event Date: May 21, 2016 Registration: Jan 26 - May 16 Event Registration: May 17 - May 18 Wild Dunes Resort-Harbor Course (Tour Championship) Event Date: May 22, 2016 Registration; Jan 26 - May 17 Late Registration: May 18 - May 19 Learning the game at school The First Tee of Greater Charleston spent over 250 volunteer hours in local schools in 2015 and hopes to spend even more this year. Pictured above: A young participant in the National School Program. She didn’t get a perfect score, but it was pretty close. Pictured upper right: Bucky Dudley, Associate Director of Operations at The First Tee of Greater Charleston, with a young golfer. “Even though it’s cold outside, you can still play golf. Pictured lower right: Legs in the form of a letter “A,” arms and club in the form of a letter “Y,” set-up perfectly demonstrated here by this young student. “Our goal in recognizing these youth golf coaches is to recognize their accomplishements and also to help parents find quality golf instruction for their kids.” Dan Van Horn Charleston Golf News February 17 2016 23 w Pictured from left: Legendar trick shot artist Dennis Walters; Peter Smith, The Midnight Golfer; Patriots Point GM Brad Parker with Special Olympian Ben Read; Darryl Soloman. Golf Therapy - A year to remember by Rich O’Brien O ne of the most important parts of writing a monthly column is having good material to write about. This past year, we certainly have been blessed with some wonderful stories to be able to tell about individuals and organizations using golf to overcome injuries, illnesses and challenges. Here is a review of the stories told this past year: Darryl Solomon To look at Darryl Solomon of Summerville CC you would never had known he had ever been hurt. I was shocked when I learned that he had been bedridden for nearly five years following a forklift accident that Happened in the Blink of an Eye. After many surgeries he was able to resume his life and eventually was able to regain a single digit handicap. Special Olympians One of the best gifts that a person can give someone is the gift of their time. The heart-warming story about the wonderful relationship between Brad Parker and the Special Olympians of the Mt. Pleasant program speaks volumes. In fact, Brad calls his participation in the program “the most rewarding experience for him" while many of the participants call him their best friend. The amazing story of guts, determination and perseverance of two-time Masters Champion Ben Hogan was profiled in the Master’s edition. Hogan’s comeback from a crippling and near fatal and head on collision with a bus to win six more majors was truly inspiring and legendary. PGA HOPE Numerous articles in the series have been about PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere). Al Tays’ story about Fred Gutierrez for the Golf Channel had gotten the attention of Scott Kmiec of the PGA’s Foundation. Fred and I were asked to champion the effort to bring a chapter to the Charleston area. With Perry Green as lead instructor, the program started in June with six wounded warriors participating. During that initial series one of the veterans with severe PTSD credited the program with saving his life and agreed to let me tell his story anonymously. The impact of that story was substantial as it was published in the PGA Magazine and used by the Charleston VA and PTSD counselors to encourage veterans with PTSD to participate in “Golf Therapy”. As word of mouth spread 18 veterans participated in the fall session and VA Counselors are estimating 40 participants in April when we resume. For the US Open edition, I featured Ken Venturi, who battled severe depression and alcoholism during a three year slump. In the nick of time to save his career, he found his game in May and June and qualified for the 1964 US Open at Congressional CC in Bethesda, MD. That week he also battled extreme heat and humidity that wilted everyone in the field. During the 36 hole finale on Saturday, Venturi surged into contention in the third round, but suffered from heat exhaustion late in the round when heat index reached 110 degrees. Refusing to quit, Venturi survived the brutal heat and by the time he holed his final putt he was nearly delirious. Dennis Walters We next featured the inspirational story about legendary trick shot artist Dennis Walters who visited Patriot’s Point for a clinic to benefit The First Tee of Charleston. Dennis was a promising young touring pro when his golf cart rolled over going down a steep hill. The accident left him a paraplegic, but he refused to give up on his dream of playing golf and eventually started putting on golf clinics performing trick shots and motivating others. Over the past 40 years he has put on over 3,000 clinics worldwide and has inspired millions of golfers. The story was highly personal for me as I had used it as motivation during my own recovery and used it to help motivate Fred Gutierrez. Peter Smith Imagine the challenge that faced Peter Smith, the Midnight Golfer, as darkness closed in on him from every side as he gradually went blind from Retinitis Pigmentosa. Now the Chairman of the S.C. Commission for the Blind, this Harvard MBA leads by example as he mentors others. As Smith says, “I have always used athletics to demonstrate how blind people can overcome many obstacles. My intent has been to try and turn a burden into a life-affirming expression.” Adaptive Golf We closed the year featuring perhaps the most inspirational piece of golf real estate in the world as we featured the Adaptive Golf Experience at Parris Island. For most of the past year, Fred Gutierrez and I traveled down to Beaufort, SC for the clinics held on the the third Saturday of each month. The participants in the clinics include three hemiplegics, a paraplegic, an individual with an autoimmune disease that attacked her nervous system, individuals that suffered TBI’s including an aneurysm and a stroke and many individuals with amputated arms, legs or feet. It is very fulfilling for all of the instructors and volunteers to give someone the gift of golf after an injury, illness or challenge that made it unlikely that they would ever be able to play. Getting Involved If you have been inspired by these stories and would like to participate in or volunteer for these programs, please call me at 843-826-0837 or email me at rich@charlestongolfnews.com. Another important way to help is to make a tax deductible donation to our PGA HOPE Charleston chapter. This will allow us to expand to multiple sites in Charleston and help even more wounded warriors. If you would like to support the chapter, please visit www.pgareach.com to make a donaGianna Rojas Meanwhile, in November we told the story of tion. You can locate the donate tab at the top right our friend Gianna Rojas, the One-Handed Lady of the home page and once prompted select HOPE Golfer, from New Jersey. Her life has come full as the program and designate PGA HOPE Charlescircle as she has gone from a March of Dimes ton as the recipient. I would also encourage you to Poster Child to Advocate and Fundraiser for chil- join our Golf Therapy...Using Golf to Overcome dren born with birth defects. And she uses golf as a Injuries, Illnesses and Challenges group on Facebook with over 4,800 members worldwide. fundraising tool to raise money for the kids. 24 February 17 2016 Charleston Golf News AVAILABLE 2/19! MAXIMIZED DISTANCE AND FORGIVENESS. FASTER. MORE FORGIVING. BY FAR. LET OUR EXPERTS CUSTOM FIT YOU TODAY! LET OUR EXPERTS CUSTOM FIT YOU TODAY! VOKEY DESIGN® SM5 WEDGES FINISH, LOFT & BOUNCE OPTIONS VARY PER LOCATION WAS $129.99 NOW $109.99 SERIES FOOTJOY 2015 DNA GOLF SHOES WAS $189.99 NOW $129.99 HOME OF THE 90-DAY 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, return it to us within 90 days of purchase, and you will receive 100% store credit towards your next purchase. Buy with confidence! BUY 3 DZ AND GET A 4th PLUS PERSONALIZATION FREE TOUR V3 & V3 SLOPE WAS $299.99 & $399.99 NOW $249.99 & $329.99 CHARLESTON • 946 Orleans Road • 843.763.1995 Visit us online at edwinwattsgolf.com