FREE News for Carolina Golfers www.scgolfclub.com M The Stan Olenik’s A R VOL 24 No.11 Follow Us On @TheGolfClubSC Tigers get first win! Another Win!

Clemson wins UCF Challenge for Phillips wins

first program victoryStory... on Page Page 8 5 DJ World Junior... Page 13

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Heritage Chairman Not So Easy At Greer Carolinas Hall of Fame Page 2 The Golf Club March 2017 “I’ve played -3 courses all over the world . This is the finest course I have played.” Craig Perks, 2002 Players Champion & broadcaster.

Wednesday Nigh Skins Game! Begins March 29th 6:30 PM Bent Grass Greens - Lighted Course Hole Length” 85 yds to 180 yds - Rental Clubs & Pull Carts Available Everyday Rates Weekday Junior and Senior Rates 18 Holes 9 Holes 18 Holes 9 Holes $18.00 $11.50 $14.75 $9.00 Now offering great group outings for companies or civic groups! Daytime or Evenings! Complete outing services available, golf, food and refreshments. Call For Our Winter Hours

From I-385 take Exit 40 A Pleasantburg Dr. Take first right (Villa Rd) In font of Olive Tree Restaurant Travel approx 1/10th mile Course is on your left Visible from I-385 towards Greenville

864-233-6336 www.crosswinds-golf.com 61 Villa Rd - Greenville Now Join Two Great Golf Clubs for One Great Price! River Falls Plantation and Village Greens Golf Club have teamed up to offer a special combined club membership! Details are available at both golf shops! Before or After Your Round or Anytime! Stop in Dickey’s BBQ Pitt in our Clubhouse Y N O T 9 - $25 Pro Shop - Driving Range - Practice Green We understand your time is valuable and we hope to encourage more 9 hole rounds, so you can enjoy the game without taking up too much of We feature Equipment from your day or breaking the bank. River Falls Plantation is excited to introduce our new 9 hole rate for 2017. This rate is extended to our Patrons who are ages over 30 and under 60 for weekday play only. $26 Monday Madness Dogfights We are confident you will play in 2 hours or less! Tuesday thru Friday Monday 9:30 $32 - Seniors $26 Saturday 7:30-9:30 Ask Yourself “Y N O T 9!” $42 Sat - Sun $35 after 1 pm Seniors Weds 9:30 Cory McEwen PGA Golf Professional Now is a great time to plan your summer outings. Call for available dates! www.villagegreens.net Gramling, SC 10 Minutes from I-26 on Hwy 176 Conveniently located between Greenville & Spartanburg 100 Player Blvd. Duncan, 29334 864-433-9192 www.riverfallsgolf.com Toll Free 877-472-2411 864-472-2411 March 2017 The Golf Club Page 3 The Golf Club Johnson reaches the top is published monthly by the Win at Riviera puts BMW volunteer Palmetto Sports Network,LLC Johnson on top of sign up underway Founded April 1992 The material contained in this World Golf Ranking The BMW Charity Pro-Am is seeking publication may not be reproduced volunteers for the annual Web.com Tour without the written consent A runaway victory at Riviera moved event in the Upstate. of the publisher. All rights reserved. into the top spot on the Volunteers do not need to know any- Any comments, questions, suggestions World Golf Rankings. thing about golf as the tournament has or inquires concerning advertising Johnson took over the top spot from many opportunities for non-golfers to help should be addressed to The Golf Club. Jason Day who held the World #1 position with the tournament. www.scgolfclub.com for almost a year. Volunteers pay a $40 registration fee The Columbia native won three times that covers a shirt, headwear, volunteer The Golf Club would like your last year including a victory at the US Open. credential, guest credential, food and bev- tournament results, story ideas, He is currently ranked 6th in the Fed/Ex upcoming events and golf news. erages during volunteer days and more. points standings. Volunteers have the opportunity to The Golf Club is free and available Johnson recently hosted the Dustin earn $20 per day for one of the tournament at over 70 locations in the Upstate Johnson World Junior Championship in charities. and Western North Carolina Myrtle Beach. They may choose the course they wish Like us at During an interview on The Golf to staff. This year the tournament will be Channel, Johnson talked about the devel- played at Thornblade Club, Furman Golf thegolfclubsc opment of young golfers in his home state. Course and The Preserve at Verdae. follow us at At Riviera, where Johnson won, three Online registration is available at other golfers who grew up playing junior www.bmwcharitygolf.com. Country Club of Spartanburg PGA teaching thegolfclubsc golf in South Carolina, Scott Brown, Stan Olenik professional Kevin Britt received the CPGA Junior Wesley Bryan and Bill Haas, finished in Leadership Award. Britt was joined by his wife Leslie Hickory golf club Editor/Publisher the top-11. and children Casey and Isabella at the presentation. The Golf Club The junior golf program has produced enthusiasts group (864) 573-7627 PGA Tour players, Lucas Glover, Jonathan Britt honored as [email protected] Byrd, Ben Martin, Mark Anderson, Tommy Do you know how to use a niblick or a mashie or a cleek? Want to turn back the 167 S. Fairview Ave. Gainey, Kevin Kisner and many more. top Junior leader clock and play golf the way Bobby Jones Spartanburg, SC 29302 Johnson remembered that he began The Country Club of Spartanburg PGA playing golf in the summer Monday tour- teaching professional, Kevin Britt, was did in the early 20th century. nament series sponsored by the SCJGA. honored by the Carolinas PGA as the top Mike Gravley has put together a group The junior leader in the two states. of golfers who enjoy playing old fashioned Is Now “The South Carolina Junior Golf As- Britt has helped many young golfers golf with hickory shafted golf clubs. Available For sociation does a great job with tournaments in the state,” he said. develop their skills and become college Hickory clubs were the standard for Free Pick Up Johnson, who has contributed to the golfers. golf until the late 1920s. At SCJGA and sponsored events, is proud to In addition to Britt’s work with top The group tries to play at least once a be associated with the game in the state. juniors, he has always worked to help all month and is looking to find new players “Obviously I try to give back and since levels of young golfers learn to play and to join the group. enjoy the game. Interested golfers who have hickory In Magnolia Park I became a pro I contribute some money and help sponsor some tournaments. They Britt has been a PGA professional shaft golf clubs can contact Gravley at Woodruff Rd, Greenville are first class,” he said. since 1994. [email protected]. The Best Membership Value In The Upstate! Play 3 courses for the price of 1!

Family Memberships Choose your Boscobel $100 p/month Hgwy 8 Home Club Pickens $ 84 p/month Country Falcons Lair $ 85 p/month Club for Road Pickens Primary (864) 878-6083 Membership. College Age Golfers! Receive playing Highway 76 Highway 11 - 1308 Falcons Drive $22 Monday-Friday privileges at our Pendleton Walhalla, 29691 $28 Weekends After 11am other two courses! (864) 646-3991 (864) 638-0000 With Valid College ID We Are ALL ABOUT GOLF www.golfaag.com Page 4 The Golf Club March 2017 Smith named RBC Heritage Chairman has grown from supporting charitable RBC commits to causes in the low country to helping com- sponsor the Heritage munities around the entire state. “The tournament is really a state wide through 2023 event. The benefits from the tournament are distributed around the state and we want Doug Smith will be busy at this year’s everyone to feel a part of the tournament,” RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing. In- said Wilmot. stead of watching golf and enjoying the Last year the Heritage Classic Founda- spectacle of South Carolina’s only PGA tion distributed $2.4 million to non-profit Tour event, he will have some specific du- organizations around the state. ties to perform. The RBC Heritage has added Mike The former South Carolina Golf As- Ivester as the Director of Corporate Sales to sociation President has been appointed the reach into the upstate business community. Chairman of 49th Heritage Classic. Ivester spent 11 years as director of “Usually I hang around number 16 Spartanburg attorney Doug Smith is the new Chairman of the RBC Heritage presented by Boeing. This is sales at the BMW Charity Pro-Am, one of fairway and see a lot of great golf shots and the first time in the 49 year history of the PGA Tour stop at Hilton Head has been headed up by a chairman the premier Web.com events. then meet some friends. This year it is go- from the Upstate. Smith and Tournament Director Steve Wilmot announced that RBC will continue as the Smith is looking forward to seeing presenting sponsor of the tournament through 2023. ing to be different,” said the new Chairman. many of the players who participated in Being the Chairman has some cer- upstate have helped us spread the mission tournament develop strong sponsorship. the junior tournament he helped start, The emonial duties like leading the parade to of the Heritage Classic Foundation, which “Doug is an excellent ambassador for Bobby Chapman Junior at The Country open the tournament and acting as master is to enhance the quality of life and eco- the Heritage Classic Foundation,” Tourna- Club of Spartanburg, now playing at Har- of ceremonies at the opening and closing nomic vitality of South Carolina through ment Director Steve Wilmot said. “His bor Town. of the event. signature golf events,” he added. connections and reputation across South “The SCGA has done a great job of However, Smith has been much more Smith joined the trustees during a Carolina are second to none. It’s an honor promoting junior golf in the state and you than a ceremonial member of the Heritage difficult time for the Heritage. The tourna- for the RBC Heritage to have a stand-up only have to look at the leaderboard at PGA organization for many years. ment had lost its title sponsor and was in professional, colleague and friend like Tour events to see the impact our golfers “Doug was named a Heritage Classic jeopardy of losing its PGA affiliation. Doug to represent and support our tourna- have made on Tour. We have some of the Foundation trustee in 2011,” said Simon As a former State Legislator and com- ment this year,” he said. best golfers in the world and the RBC Fraser, Heritage Classic Foundation chair- munity leader in the Upstate, Smith was While the RBC Heritage is played at Heritage is one of the best tournaments,” man. “His influence and connections in the able to work behind the scenes to help the Hilton Head, the reach of the tournament concluded Smith.

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DannyDanny USGA ($25 VALUE) Agapion Memberships Agapion PGA GOLFWEEK TOUR STARTER BAG PGA Available FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT For a Limited Time [email protected] Initiation - $150 (717) 616-1749 Dues - $90 Month WHERE AMATEURS PLAY LIKE THE PROS! 442 Cherokee National Hwy, Gaffney, SC 29341 AMATEURGOLFTOUR.NET March 2017 The Golf Club Page 5 Page 6 The Golf Club March 2017 First Tee Chapters join forces & Recreation Club in Cherokee County; New Upstate First and Carolina Golf Club at Botany Woods, Legacy Pines Golf Club, Carolina Springs Tee combines three Golf Club and Green Valley Country Club in Greenville County will all serve as hosts county programs to First Tee programs. A merger of the two First Tee programs The Spartanburg program has received in the Upstate has been in the works for national recognition for its operations and several years. Greenville will benefit from the experi- Now after a great deal of planning and ence gained by Spartanburg and Cherokee with the encouragement of the National Counties. First Tee organization, The Greenville First By joining with Greenville, the Spar- Tee and The First Tee of Spartanburg and tanburg and Cherokee County First Tee Cherokee Counties are forming The First will have access to more children and po- Tee of the Upstate. The Golf tentially the ability to reach more sponsors “The Upstate of South Carolina contin- who can support the goals and operation of ues to be one of the fastest growing regions Body Fitness The First Tee of The Upstate. in the country, and as our area continues its “We look forward to being able to population growth, we made the strategic Invitational instill the values of respect, integrity, and decision that by consolidating both of our is a fundraising honesty through the game of golf to more organizations’ resources we are better posi- tournament to benefit Upstate youth than ever before,” said tioned to serve the youth of the Upstate now The First Tee of The Upstate Whitehead. and in the future,” said Ron Rasmussen, and RezMissions. The First Tee is looking for adult vol- Board President of The First Tee Upstate. unteers to help the program staff at each The merger will mean a new yet to be location. While golf knowledge is helpful, announced Executive Director will be in It will be played on it is not necessary for the volunteers. charge of working with advisory boards in April 17th at “When your get out there and spend all three counties to execute the First Tee Carolina Country Club an hour with the kids, the time really goes programs and build on the 9 Core Values by quickly and the experience of helping that are the backbone of The First Tee. 1PM Shotgun kids learn the values that come from golf “We started talking about this three Captain’s Choice is rewarding,” said Whitehead. or four year ago, but until recently the Volunteers can contact The First Tee time was not right,” said Todd Whitehead, 4 players per team at www.thefirstteeupstate.org. the Vice President of The First Tee of the Entry information is available online Spring programing is just around the Upstate. “Both counties had to get some www.golfbodyfitness.com corner and will begin later this month. things organized to make sure when we Those interested in enrolling their got together we could mesh as one for the to a volunteer role from her programing children in programming at any of the loca- benefit of the kids,” he added. position. tions can go to the organization’s website There have been some changes to “We are thankful to the wonderful at www.thefirstteeupstate.org to register. courses and the people who had been in- board members, programming coordina- The First Tee Upstate is a nonprofit volved with the First Tee Programs. tors, coaches, mentors and volunteers that organization dedicated to impacting the Spartanburg director Fran Dunn retired have made The First Tee chapters in the lives of young people by providing educa- after helping to build an outstanding opera- Upstate a success for a long time. Their tional programs that build character, instill tion in Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties. contributions have helped get us to this life-enhancing values and promote healthy The Creek Golf Club, which housed point,” said Rasmussen. choices through the game of golf. Pro- Local Golf News the initial First Tee program in the Upstate Woodfin Ridge, Willow Creek Golf grams are designed for young people ages 6 www. has withdrawn from the program. Club and Carolina Country Club in Spar- to 18. The organization touches the lives of In Greenville, Molly Perkins will move tanburg County; Cherokee National Golf nearly 50,000 Upstate area youth each year. scgolfclub.com BOOK YOUR TOURNAMENT TODAY! Senior Specials $33 Mon - Fri Tournament Packages $43 Weekends Available! Twilight Rates $39 After 2 PM www.thepreserveatverdae 864-676-1500 650 Verdae Blvd. Greenville March 2017 The Golf Club Page 7 Support Not as easy as it looked Reeves and Taylor Junior Golf win Tuff/Easy Days In at Greer in playoff The team of Crawford Reeves and Cory Taylor made the easy day in the South Tough/Easy Day tournament at Greer look easy until the last hole. The pair of former college golfers Carolina looked to be in position to wrap up the win when Reeves drove the 18th green and had his ball land just off the putting surface. The hole was one of the easiest ones of the day with the tee well up from the Crawford Reeves (left) and Cory Taylor (right) needed an extra hole to win the Greer Tough/Easy Day tournament. regular tees and an 8-inch cup on the green. Taylor rolled in a 14 foot eagle putt on the playoff hole to win the tournament. “You have to wonder how we didn’t eagle or birdie that hole,” said Taylor after Kennedy, Taylor and the two golfers took a par to finish regula- Plates are tion in a tie. Howell win Frostbite “We messed up our chip and then Available at missed a very makable putt. We made Instead of handwarmers and heaters things a lot harder for ourselves. We felt the golfers playing in the annual Frostbite SC DMV Offices like we gave it away on the last hole,” said Tournament at Boscobel needed sunglasses Reeves. and shorts. For More On the course the team of first round Temperatures reached into the middle leaders Tucker McDonald and Josh Gall- 70s for the two-day, three-man captains Information man didn’t match Reeves and Taylor’s 56, choice tournament. and to Apply for a but their 59 was good enough to force a The team of Cory Taylor, Justin How- License Plate playoff. ell and Blake Kennedy shot an opening On the first playoff hole Taylor rolled round 14-under par 57 to be tied for the go to a fifteen foot putt to win the championship lead with John Land, Jon Guenthner and www.scjgf.org after almost giving it away. Danny Day. “That putt was a lot more difficult than In the second round, the team of former tab the one we missed on number 18. I was glad college golfers shot a 12-under 59 to win Fund Raising we had another chance because we really the tournament by a shot. Initiative and Events played great in the final round,” said Taylor. The team of Josh Gallman Tyler The winners had carded a pair of ea- Comer and Kyle Mathis shot the best round License Tag gles on numbers 14 and 15 to bounce back of the tournament carding a 15-under par Program from a tough bogey on the twelfth hole. 56 in the final round to move into a tie for The best score of the final round was second place. The team of Justin Howell, Cory Taylor and Blake turned in by the team of Tadd Gosnell and Ron Clontz, Todd Hendley and Duff Kennedy shot a final round 59 to take the top spot at A Portion of the Fee the Frostbite tourney at Boscobel. Chad Davis. The two shot an impressive Wagner also finished at 117 to share runner- is contributed to 54 to move into a tie for fourth place with up honors. Josh Chay and Tucker McDonald. Third Junior Golf in two other teams. Flight winners included, Second Flight Flight - Ryan Lynn, Gregg Moore, Ken The second flight was won by the team - (tie) Russell Coakley, Chris Fitting and Lynn. Fourth Flight - Randy Cisson, Elliott South Carolina of Eric Magera and Danny Myers. Kevin Smineuski tied with Steven Reid, Keller, Shannon Leonhardt. ENJOY PLAYING A GEORGE COBB ORIGINAL CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE! Cobb’s Glen Rates Include Carts $37.00 Weekdays Seniors $45.00 Weekends $27.00 Mon - Fri Membership Options $135 Family - $125 Senior Family (over 55) No Initiation Fee With 3 Months Dues Paid In Advance

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The Clemson women’s team won their first ever golf tournament with a victory in the UCF Challenge played in Orlando and followed it up with a sixth place finish at the Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate. The men’s team brought home the championship from the Puerto Rico Classic. It was the third win of the season for the Tigers and boosted them into the top-20 of the Golfweek-Sagarin rankings. (photos from Clemson) Tigers start the spring with two victories Hester, the Clemson head coach. “I am so and that is very special,” said the coach. Women get first proud of this team and the way they have Men win in Puerto The victory was the 71st for the long tourney win in worked,” she said. Rico for third time Clemson coach putting him in second Clemson had finished second in four place for wins among all-time ACC golf program history tournaments during the past three seasons. victory of the year coaches. The Tigers just missed a victory in the The Tigers were again led by Bryson After several near misses in the past very first event they played as a team when The Clemson Tigers started the spring Nimmer and Doc Redman. Redman was three years, the Clemson women’s golf team Florida edged Clemson by one shot at the the way they left off in the fall, with a win. added to the Award watch list got their first tournament championship. The Cougar Classic in 2013. Clemson earned the victory at the Puerto and showed why with his performance in Tigers finished in a tie with Miami for the “I was especially happy for Jessica Rico Classic and victimized the Georgia Puerto Rico. top spot at the UCF Challenge in Orlando. Hoang. She was on the very first Clemson Bulldogs again. Nimmer came within a shot of winning While the Hurricanes and Tigers fin- team to play in a tournament and now she Clemson trailed the Bulldogs just as the individual title, while Redman finished ished with identical 14-under par totals of was on the team that won the first tourna- they did in their last victory in Hawaii. The at 4-under par in a tie for fifth place. 280, Clemson brought home the champion- ment,” noted Hester. Tigers raced past Georgia and NC State to “Both Nimmer and Redman came back ship trophy on the strength of the score of The Clemson senior’s birdie on her sec- record an 11 shot victory. ready to go. They played some tournaments their fifth player. ond to last hole was the difference in finish- “We are pretty good and we played over the break and their games were really “This was a big win for the program. ing in a tie for first or alone in second place. well,” said Clemson coach Larry Penley. sharp,” said the coach. The first victory in our history,” said Kelley Clemson women.. continued on page 12 “We made 63 birdies during the tournament Clemson men.. continued on page 12

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The Lady Paladins opened the spring portion of their season with a second place finish in Puerto Rico and followed it up with a win at the Central District Invitational hosted by Michigan State. Haylee Harford (left) tied for top honors at the Puerto Rico Classic. Alice Chen (right) got her first college victory when she finished one stroke ahead of the field in the tournament at Port St. Lucie. The winning team included coaches Jeff Hull and Laura DeMarco, Alice Chen, Taylor Totland, Natalie Srinivasan, Haylee Harford and Reona Hirai. Purple Power at Furman and Converse ing so close last week, I was very pleased this year at the Lady Paladin. Furman starts the with the focus and determination to get the “God raises us up in due time, and that job done. Finishing the event at even par there’s a time for everything. I’m looking spring where they and winning by 23 shots is something to be forward to the rest of what God has in store very proud of,” he said. this season,” added Chen. left off in the fall In addition to the team win, Alice Chen Furman placed four golfers in the top The Furman Lady Paladins earned their was able to gain her first college victory. six places and all five golfers finished in the second team win of the season with a domi- Chen was the only golfer to finish the tour- top-15. Totland finished in third place while nating performance at the Central District nament under par. Natalie Srinivasan finished in fifth place. Invitational hosted by Michigan State in “ I was also very excited for Alice, as Haylee Harford shot a 1-under par 71 to Port St. Lucie, Florida. she gained her first collegiate win,” Hull claim sixth place and Reona Hirai finished Furman finished the first round with a 5 added. the tournament in a tie for fourteenth place. shot lead and led the field by 14 shots after Chen started the final round one shot At the spring opener in Puerto Rico, Marley Felthousen led Converse College to a victory the first 36 holes. The Lady Paladins didn’t at the Converse Spring Invite. Felthousen won the behind teammate Taylor Totland. The Lady Harford was co-medalist, but the team came individual championship in the event. let up in the final round and finished out the Paladin junior finished one shot in front of up one shot behind NC State. tournament with a winning margin of 23 Michaela Fletcher of Memphis for the vic- Five golfers tied with the Lady Paladin Converse wins its shots over Louisville. tory. Chen was the only golfer to finish under sophomore who won her second tournament Furman had just missed a win in the par for the tournament. of the year. She won the season opening Spring Invite tourney opening tournament of the spring season at “My teammates and coaches have seen tournament in Minnesota. The Converse Valkyries put together the Women’s Puerto Rico Classic. me at my worst and at my best and have “We played well, finished second in a their best team round of the season as the The 7th ranked Lady Paladins had fin- loved me the same, and this win would not strong field, and Haylee was co-champion. host team won their own Converse Spring ished in a tie for second place keeping their have happened without them or my family It is always our goal to have a chance to win Invite presented by Founders Federal Credit season long string of finishing no worse than and friends encouraging me every step of with nine holes to play. Unfortunately, we Union at the Carolina Country Club in third place in every tournament alive. the way,” said Chen. couldn’t finish it off. It has been a while Spartanburg. “I am very excited about this win,” said The two-time All-SoCon golfer has since we competed, so it is nice to start the Converse started the final round in third Furman head coach Jeff Hull. “After com- finished second three times including earlier spring with a good finish,” said Hull. Converse wins.. continued on page 12 PUBLIC WELCOME! COME PLAY TODAY! Check Out Our Instruction Program! Visit www.furmangolfclub.com Best Available Rates - Tee Time Specials - Join the Furman E-Club for Special Offers! Check out our instruction and clinic schedule on the website! The Furman is available for outings weekdays and weekends 2016 Golfweek Award Winner 2015 Award Winning Course 30 Best You Can Play - SC Golf Course Ratings Panel, Furman is ranked in Golfweek 2014 Best Golf Course in the Upstate - Greenville News Readers Choice Magazine’s ratings of top University courses you can play! 400 N. Hwy 25 By-Pass, Greenville 864-294-2690 Page 10 The Golf Club March 2017

Boiling Springs has won three straight South Carolina AAAA titles and this year will try to win the first AAAAA championship. The team returns all but one golfer from the squad that won the title in 2016. Christ Church is ready to repeat as a state champion. The Cavaliers have been moved up to AA this year. The team returns all but one starter from last year’s team which won its fourth straight state Class A championship. Can Boiling Springs and Christ Church keep winning? Christ Church will be attempting to Preseason HS poll South Carolina Golf Coaches Pre-Season Ranking win their fifth straight title and their eighth picks last year’s AAAAA - 1 BoilingSprings, 2 Gaffney, 3 Wando, 4 Byrnes, championship in the last ten years. 5 Dorman, 6 Lexington, 7 JL Mann, 8 Easley, 9 Spring Valley, 10 Sumter. However, this year the competition will champs to repeat AAAA - 1 AC Flora, 2 Wren, 3 N Myrtle Beach, 4 Hilton Head, be a little different as the Cavaliers move up to play in the AA classification. If you believe the preseason South 5 North Augusta, 6 Eastside, 7 Myrtle Beach, 8 Hartsville, “We lost a very good player, Stephen Carolina Golf Coaches poll you can just 9 South Aiken, 10 Chapin. Reynolds, to graduation, but we gained a send the trophies to all four of last year’s AAA - 1 Waccamaw, 2 Bishop England, 3 Pendleton, 4 Gilbert, couple of pretty solid young golfers,” said champions again in 2017. 5 Bluffton, 6 Emerald, 7 Mid-Carolina, 8 Aynor, 9 Camden, Christ Church coach Kristen Rooke. There is good reason to believe that the 10 Oceanside Collegiate. Members of last year’s championship defending champions are likely to repeat team are still very young. The projected when you look at the rosters and history AA-A - 1 Christ Church, 2 Ninety Six, 3 St. Joseph’s, 4 Fox Creek, 5 lineup ranges from juniors to 7th graders. of each champion. Andrew Jackson, 6 Buford, 7 McBee, 8 Southside Christian, Rafe and Harry Reynolds, Jack Walker, Boiling Springs won their third straight 9 Bamberg-Ehrhardt, 10 (T) Saluda & Barnwell. Sumner Haney and Walker Jennings helped AAAA title and now moves up to the win the title last year. AAAAA Classification. The Blade Junior Champion and future head coach. Peyton Gillespie, who finished as the The Bulldogs return every member Gamecock golfer Harrison Corbin and his In addition to a difficult region sched- runner-up in the Girls AAA-AA-A cham- of the team that won the title at Furman brother Graham are joined by Josh Sprouse ule which includes four of the top five pionship last fall adds another top golfer last spring. and Cole Hair ready to make another cham- teams in the state the Bulldogs will play in to the team. Led by the South Carolina Junior Golf- pionship run. top-flight tournaments all year. “Things are pretty solid for the future er of the Year, Trent Phillips, the Bulldogs “We expect to win and we are going to “I want us to play against the best of the program. We are going to play in big have experience and talent at all five posi- work this year to make sure we are ready to competition and we can get better. I want tournaments and I believe we will be ready tions, and even more talent on the bench. win,” said Josh Pruitt the Boiling Springs to make sure we don’t let up,” Pruitt said. for the challenges in AA,” added Rooke. March 2017 The Golf Club Page 11

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Seniors M-F Guy Porter recently celebrated his 50th anniversary as a PGA Professional. Porter grew up in Simpsonville and spent time as a professional in New England and Florida. As a young professional he worked for legendary $26 at Seminole Golf Club in Florida. Weekends Golden anniversary $34 The course had fallen into disrepair Porter celebrates After 12 PM and needed a facelift and some work on 50 years as a PGA the bones. $29 Porter’s group installed the Bermuda professional greens that served the club until recently All rates for 18 holes w/cart and restored the clubhouse. Do you remember Whippoorwill Golf “We picked the name because of all Club? Do you remember when the name the springs that are around the course. It was changed to Carolina Springs? just seemed like a natural name for the Guy Porter does because he was the place,” he said. one who changed the name of the course Porter stayed at Carolina Springs for near Simpsonville. 13 years. Among the people who worked Porter recently completed his 50th with or around the course are several fix- year as a PGA Professional. His life in tures in Upstate golf. golf began in Simpsonville and carried Long time area instructor and pro Bob him to the northeast and to Florida and Bell got his start at the course. Club repair then back home to South Carolina. specialist Dave Warren began his busi- “I can remember being on a couple of ness at the shop. high school championship teams when I “Chris Patton used to work on the was a kid,” recalled the 78 year old life- course when I was there. It was no sur- time pro. prise to me to see his success in golf,” Porter was recently honored by the said Porter about the 1989 US Amateur PGA with a special award for his half champion. century of service. Porter’s return to the Upstate was to “I’ve had the good fortune to work be back in the area with his family. He is for and with a lot of great people over the helping his great-grandson Aiden pick up years,” he said. the game. Porter was the head pro at clubs in He keeps his hand in the golf business Connecticut and most recently in Florida. by selling a line of golf gloves to local However, his impact on golf in the Upstate golf shops. is centered around Carolina Springs. “I hope he can enjoy the game as “In 1975 the course became available much as I have. I’ve always tried to grow and three of us bought Whippoorwill with the game and help the PGA in any way I the intention of making it a first class golf could,” concluded Porter as he celebrates club,” he said. his golden anniversary in golf. Page 12 The Golf Club March 2017 Enjoy the complete Golf Experience at Woodfin Ridge! $ $ 38 Weekdays 48 Weekends $ 28 Seniors Monday-Thursday Converse College coach Patty McGowan celebrates with her team after the Valkyries won their own tournament at the Carolina Country Club. Converse won their home event by four shots. Marley Felthousen of Converse won the individual title.

Converse wins...continued from page 9 place trailing first round leader Kings Uni- round lead by shooting a 73 and earned the versity and the second place team from Lin- individual title with a final round 76. She coln Memorial. Converse shot an opening finished one shot in front of Alexa Rippy round 318 to trail the leader by three shots. of Trevecca Nazariene University. In the final round the Valkyries com- Felthousen won the tournament as a bined to shoot a 309 total to finish the 36 freshman and finished as the runner-up hole event at 627. The outstanding final last year. round allowed Converse to climb into first Tyler Dawson had the best final round place and win the tournament by 4-shots for Converse shooting a 2-over par 74 to over the first round leader. help her team to the title. Megan Dresser The Valkyries were led by Marley Fel- finished in 12th place and Ansley Vaughan thousen. The Converse senior held the first and Grace Magera helped get the win. Before or After your round First win... Clemson Men... continued from page 7 continued from page 7 Open to the Public Book Your 2017 Outings Now! Clemson was led by Alice Hewson. Senior Carson Young also earned a The Tiger sophomore shot rounds of 68-73- top-10 finish coming in one shot behind 864-578-0023 www.woodfinridge.com 68 for a 7 under par total and a tie for a fifth Redman in a tie for seventh place. North of Boiling Springs Off Hwy 9 at Lake Bowen Dam Rd. place individual finish. Hewson finished Austin Langdale, who has recovered four shots behind individual champion from some first semester injuries, finished Chich Jessica Peng of Mississippi State. in 22nd and Josh Fickes rounded out the “I really felt like Alice would make a Tigers five players with a 40th place finish. “We have overseeded for good showing as she came back from the “We have not had the best from our two great green fairways” break with a conviction to really work hard seniors and we are not getting much from and help lead the team,” the coach said. the five hole and those spots should be a The Tigers got an important contribu- real strength for us,” said Penley. Seniors Mon-Fri Anytime! tion from the newest member of their team. The fifth spot has been a real battle for Kennedy Swann enrolled at Clemson playing time so far this year. Jonathan Rec- $ .00 for the spring semester and played in her tor had a good tournament in Hawaii and 25 first tournament as a Tiger. Swann, from Fickes was solid in Puerto Rico. Austin, TX, shot a 54 hole total of 4-under “We have some depth at that spot, but par to finish in a tie for 12th. All three of we are going to have to make a decision the freshman’s rounds counted towards the soon on who is going to play for the rest team score. of the season,” he said. “Kennedy played well in practice be- After playing in Hawaii, Puerto Rico fore the event and continued her great play and Nebraska so far this year, the Tigers at the tournament,” said the coach. will play their next three tournaments in Ana Paul Valdes, and Sydney Legacy the state. all contributed counting rounds during the Clemson will play in Aiken, at the tournament in New Orleans. Marisa Mes- Furman Intercollegiate and in their own $ .00 $ .00 sana also had a good outing playing as an tournament at the Cliffs at Keowee Falls. M-F 31 / Sat-Sun 36 individual. “One of the reasons we did the sched- The Tigers finished in front of eight ule this way was for our seniors, Austin and teams ranked higher than Clemson in the Carson. It will be nice for their families and Afternoon Rate After 12 PM! Golf Stat ranking. Texas, Wisconsin, Kent local fans see them finish out their career State, Auburn and the host team from UCF here at Clemson,” Penley said. $ .00 $ .00 all finished behind Clemson. The win in Puerto Rico gave the Tigers M-F 26 / Sat-Sun 29 “We were the 9th best team in the field a big jump up in the college golf polls. Nine Hole and Walking Rates Available at UCF so we were able to compete with Clemson moved into the top-20 and cur- some really good teams. This should give rently holds the 16th spot in the poll. Call for Tee Times (864) 847-7102 the girls some confidence as we head into a “Our guys are going into the rest of the strong spring schedule,” said Hester. season with a lot of confidence, they have Directions: Exit from I-85 to the Highway 29, Williamston - South Anderson Exit. no reason not to be confident the way they Take the Belton Exit off Highway 29, Saluda Valley is 2 miles ahead on the left. The victory coupled with a strong sixth place finish at the Sugar Bowl Intercol- have played. I don’t think we have played legiate has given the Tigers a strong start our best golf yet, “ concluded Penley. 598 Beaverdam Rd. Williamston, SC 29697 this spring. March 2017 The Golf Club Page 13 Phillips wins another Major Inman golfer runs away with title at Dustin Johnson Jr. Trent Phillips is making this golf thing look too easy. The Boiling Springs High School golfer earned another major title capturing the title at the Dustin Johnson Junior World Championship. The two-tiime South Carolina Junior Golf of the Year opened the 54 hole event with an impressive 67 to jump into the lead. Trent Phillips won another major junior championship when he earned a six shot victory at the second annual “I had a really good finish the first Dustin Johnson Junior World Championship played at the TPC Myrtle Beach. Registration 11:30 Shotgun 1:00 day and that set me up for the rest of the game the way I usually do and just play the “I don’t think he had a clue that I was 4-Man Captain’s Choice, tournament,” said Phillips. “Shooting a 31 game,” he said. the player of the year in his home state. I $200 Per Player Entry Fee on the back was really a good way to start,” Phillips played a steady final round got to talk to him at the dinner and he is (Includes Pre & Post Round he added. finishing at 1-under par. His lead ballooned a pretty cool guy,” Phillips said about the Refreshments, Green Fee, Cart, On his last 13 holes, Phillips carded to six shots as the rest of the field was un- World’s Number 1 golfer. On Course Beverages,Tee Gifts) 5 birdies an eagle and didn’t make any able to make a charge at the Carolinas’ top One of the prizes the winner of the Proceeds benefit: First Tee of bogeys. junior golfer. tournament receives is an exemption into “My chipping was really working well “I was in the group with the golfers the Bobby Chapman Junior at The Country the Upstate and RezMissions for me. I was able to get the ball close and who could have come after me, but they Club of Spartanburg. - Entry Fee is Tax Deductible - took advantage of it,” said Phillips. kind of fell back and I just kept playing Phillips will not need the exemption In the second round, the future Georgia steady. I was pretty relaxed both days. because he already is coming back to the Silent Auction, $20 Raffle, golfer shot 1-over par while Teddy Tetak Shooting that opening round 67 helped a prestigious junior tournament as the de- Hole-In-One Car Giveaway, and more! from Limbach, Slovania shot a 2-under par lot,” he said. fending champion. 70 to pull within a shot of the lead. This is the second year of the Dustin “It was a great tournament. The course Meet PGA Tour’s Ben Martin Phillips didn’t change the approach he Johnson Junior World Championship. Phil- was phenomenal and everything about was had to each round of the tournament. lips noticed Johnson watching him hitting as good as any junior tournament I have Register Now “I really didn’t think too much about balls on the range for a few minutes before played. I really enjoyed the tournament and www.golfbodyfitness.com the other players. I just wanted to play my the first round. the win,” concluded Phillips.

Spring Join Us For The Links O’Tryon Rates Senior. M-F Spring Fling! $30 Two Player Texas Scramble Sr. Sat-Sun Saturday, March 25th, 2017 $39 Weekdays Gross and Net Prizes $48 10:00 a.m. Shotgun Start - Blue Tees After 2 PM Seniors (60+ White, 65+ Gold) and Ladies Red tees $34 Format: Texas Scramble One Best ball of Two Off the selected tee shot. Sat-Sun $54 The Special Events: Individual Closest to the Pins and Optional Skins After 2 PM Call the Golf Shop to Register 864-468-5099 Everyday best $39 It is time to book your spring outing! two The Game of Golf is Played Here! Book your Spring and clubs Summer outings with us! “We want to make your golf in outing a great success!” your FANTASTIC COURSE CONDITIONS! Steve Goforth, PGA Head Golf Professional Marc Brady, PGA Head Golf Professional [email protected] * www.willow-creekgolf.com [email protected] * www.linksotryon.com 205 Sandy Run, Greer, 29651 Call 864-670-9329 bag! 11250 New Cut Rd Campobello, 29322 Call 864-468-5099 Page 14 The Golf Club March 2017 Amateur Schedule Mountain Country Club. The stroke Schedule picks up play tournament is open to all golfers and flighted after the first round. Senior Divi- for Upstate Ams sion available. and Junior golfers Call the golf shop at 864-834-4781 to register. Please send your tournament infor- Festival of Flowers, June 10-11th, mation to us at least 6 weeks in advance The Patriot at Grand Harbor. The tourna- of your event. ment is open to amateurs only age 15 and EMAIL: [email protected] up with a current USGA Handicap Index. 16th Annual Cobb’s Glen Junior Three divisions include Champion- Invitational, March 4th & 5th. Cobb’s ship, Club and Senior (50 and up). Gift Gary Moore is the new head golf professional at Cherokee Valley. Moore is an Asheville native who has been Glen Country Club. The tournament certificates are awarded to Flight winners. a PGA Professional since 1993. Chip Ridley has been named the new head PGA Professional at The Creek Golf Club in Spartanburg. Ridley is a 2010 graduate of the Clemson professional golf management program. is open to all junior golfers who are still Entry fee includes golf, range, carts enrolled in high school. and lunch both days. The field is divided into two age Entry forms are available from Craig groups for boys and girls. Ages 11-14 and Malone at craig@ grandharbor.net On the move 15-18 compete for division titles. Golfers “We are in the middle of a lot of from either age group can win the overall New golf pros at schools here and we see some youngsters championship. Upstate play the course. I want to make sure that Entry forms are available at www. The Creek and we are open and have programs for lots of Aces cobbsglen.com/junior-invitational. Cherokee Valley kids to enjoy playing golf,” he said. Smoke-The-Oaks, March 18th -19th Holes- Moore is in the process of designing Southern Oaks. The two-player Captain’s A pair of familiar golf professionals a junior golf program for the spring and in-One Choice tournament is open to all golfers. have new jobs at their courses to start the summer. If you make an ace, please give the The format for the tournament will be spring golf season. In addition to his duties at The Creek, information to your club pro and ask him a Tough and Easy Day. Gary Moore is the new head PGA Ridley had been a site director for The First to send it to us at [email protected]. Entry information is available by call- Professional at Cherokee Valley. Moore Tee of Spartanburg at the club. We would like to know the hole, the ing the Golf Shop at 864-859-6698. had been the shop manager at the club for distance, the club and the names of your However, The Creek has decided to Spring Fling Scramble, March 25th, the last several years. pursue its own junior program and Ridley witnesses. Links O’Tryon. The two player Texas Chip Ridley is the new head PGA will be involved with juniors in addition to Special Recognition to Herb Sargent Scramble is open to all golfers. Gross and Professional at The Creek Golf Club after his role as the club professional. of Saluda Valley. Sargent played 347 Net Divisions. Senior and Ladies tees. serving as the Director of Instruction. “I look forward to working with Mike rounds of golf in 2016. Call the golf shop at 864-468-5099 for Moore is an Asheville native and Byce (Director of Golf) in developing a Bo Ream, Thornblade, #9, 176 yds. entry information. UNC-Asheville grad. He began his pro- 6-iron, Witnesses - Bobby Ream, Greg new junior program that better fits our Two-Man Scramble, April 1-2, fessional career working at the Asheville members and guests needs,” said Ridley. Moore. Cherokee National. The tournament is Country Club. As a PGA member, Ridley has seen the Jurgen Buch, Boscobel, #6, 167 yds, open to all golfers. Gift Certificate Pay-out, He has extensive experience as a club growth of the PGA Junior League programs 5 wood. Witnesses - Chris Miller, Taylor Entry fee includes lunches, range carts. professional at both private and member- and is considering adding The Creek to the White, Morgan Deck, Brad Bryce, Will Optional Skins game. ship clubs. growing number of clubs involved in the Landry. Call the golf shop at 864-489-9417 Moore was the head golf professional youth team golf concept. Clayton Taylor, (age 11) Woodfin to register. at The Country Club of Louisiana before Ridge, #5, 162 yds, 5-iron, Witnesses - “There are a lot of things we can Texas-Two Man, April 22-23, Pick- moving back to the Upstate. do with our facilities here to help young Barry Taylor, Joel and Walter Greer. ens Country Club, The tournament is open Moore was the head golf professional golfers enjoy playing the game. I am also Andy Thompson, Saluda Valley, to all golfers and will be flighted after the when The Patriot at Grand Harbor opened looking forward to working with all our #12, 140 yds. 9-iron, Witnesses Billy first round. for play. members and guests to make sure they Martin, Mike McCoy. Call the golf shop to register at 864- One of the programs that Moore hopes have a great experience,” said the 2010 Amber Amaker, Woodfin Ridge, #5, 878-6083 to develop at Cherokee Valley is a more 130yds, 7-iron. Clemson Professional Golf Management J.P. Traynham, April 29-30th, Paris active Junior Golf program. program graduate. Jim Crain, Southern Oaks, #11.

GREER GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Public Welcome MARCH RATES Super Saturdays Monday - Friday $28.00 $28.00 after 12 18 holes & cart Includes Seniors SENIOR RATES Become A Member Monday - Friday Join Now for $100 Per Month! “A Shot Makers Course” $25.00 No Initiation Fee Time to book your Spring Outings at Greer. Great Dates Available Now! 18 holes & cart 3 Month membership recommended Greer Country Club - 2299 Gap Creek Road - Greer, 29651 - 864-877-9279 March 2017 The Golf Club Page 15

John Gerring of Greenville (center-left) and Willie McRae (center-right) of Pinehurst became members of the Carolinas Golf Association Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame Chairman Jackson Hughes (center) of Greenville inducted the two newest members of the Hall. Kaitlyn Dambaugh (left) of Goose Creek was honored as the top women golfer in the Carolinas while Trent Phillips (right) of Inman was named the top Carolinas junior golfer. Scott Harvey (below-left) of Greensboro was named the top amateur in the Carolinas for sixth straight year. Wofford recruit Ryan Marter (below-right) of Columbia won the David Parrott award from the CGA. Gerring and McRae join CGA Hall of Fame field Hills, Peachtree and Biltmore Forest. Harvey, Simson, Locally he helped build Holly Tree and was head professional at Green Valley and Phillips, Dambaugh Greenville Country clubs. “The associations I have had has been also honored most important to me. Played with Arnold The Carolinas Golf Association added Palmer, was friends with Harvey Penick two new members to its Hall of Fame. and Bob Toski. My brother worked for Jack PGA Professional John Gerring of Nicklaus for over 30 years, so I got to be Greenville and Caddie around him too. I would not have been able Master Willie McRae were honored at the to travel this path if not for golf,” he said. CGA Golf Night at Pine Needles Lodge in presidents McRae caddied for as well as God’s eyes we’re all the same,” he said. The two were inducted as part of the Southern Pines, NC. thousands of others for more than 70 years Amongst Gerring’s accomplishments Golf Night ceremony that also honored the Gerring, now an instructor at The Eagle at famed Pinehurst No. 2. as a golfer were an ACC Championship top players in the Carolinas. Zone in Greenville, has a long kist of ac- McRae’s days as a caddy extend back and being a member of two Wake Forest Scott Harvey of Greensboro won his complishments including already being a to looping for the legendary Donald Ross league titles. sixth straight Men’s Amateur Player of the member of the PGA Hall of Fame and the who designed Pinehurst. In college he was a teammate of Arnold Year Award, while Paul Simson of Raleigh national PGA Club Professional of the Year. The new Hall of Fame member is Palmer, but as a freshman was not eligible received his eighth senior player of the “I know there are a lot more people best known for his easy going attitude and to play in college competition. year award. who are deserving,” said Gerring. “I just ability to relax golfers to allow them to However, he and Palmer were frequent Inman’s Trent Phillips was recognized know I owe a lot of this award to the many play better. partners in side matches. as the top junior boys player in the Caroli- people who have helped me along the way,” His low key style of helping golfers His professional career included an ap- nas. Katelyn Dambaugh from Goose Creek, he said. didn’t allow for him to ever be nervous him- prenticeship at East Lake in Atlanta where a member of the USC golf team, was named McRae has been a caddy at the famous self no matter whose bag he was carrying. he delivered mail to the club’s most famous the top women’s amateur in the two states. Pinehurst courses. He has caddied for pro- “Presidents put their clothes on the member, Bobby Jones. Wofford recruit Ryan Marter from Co- fessional golfers, amateurs, US presidents same way as you; they don’t jump into Gerring was the head golf professional lumbia was presented with the prestigious and golf enthusiasts since 1943. them. He may have a higher job than me, at some of the most prestigious clubs in the David Parrot award for junior golfers in Eisenhower, Nixon and Ford were the but that don’t mean nothing because in country. The Atlanta Country Club, Bloom- team competition. Enjoy the “Classic” look of Pebble Creek!

Twi Light Special Ask About Our $ .00 After $ .00 Discount For 20 12 PM 37 Pre-Paid Mon - Thur Fri-Sat-Sun Annual 101 Pebble Creek Dr Senior Rate Membership! Taylors $ .00 864-244-8937 20 Mon - Thur www.pebblecreek-club.com Let Us Host Your Next Tournament or Outing! Call Bill Robinson at the Golf Shop (864) 244-8937 Page 16 The Golf Club March 2017

Join Cherokee Valley Now! Get Your First Month FREE! Call the golf shop for details March Rates $ Mon-Thurs 23 Seniors Anytime $ Mon-Thurs $ Fri-Sun 29 Before Noon 39 Before Noon $ Mon-Thurs $ Fri-Sun 25 After Noon 35 After Noon

Expert See it Fly Before You Buy! Club 2016 TOP 50 Repair HAPPY HOURS $10 For Any Size Bucket 9-11 AM & 5-8 PM Get Your Punchcard and Earn A Free Bucket! Spring Golf Season is Early This Year! Tune-Up your game with lessons NOW! Don’t Allow Your Body To Let You Down! Open 9 am - 8 pm Daily Don’t miss out on our specials on social media! Pre-Season Blow Out Sale! Savings of up to 75% on In Stock Equipment Now Available at the App Store Drivers - Wedges - Irons - Putters - Bags The Eagle Zone Golf Center Fitness Training at Eagle Zone is the Answer! We’ve got a membership just for you! 8000 Pelham Rd. Greenville, SC $35 p/m Age 13 to HS Grad $60 p/m Regular Membership 864.288.0001 / TheEagleZone.com Includes unlimited range, use of putting green and bunkers, discounted rates at Carolina Springs