TRIAD Golf Today Fall 2020

FALL 2020

T RIAD

GOLF Today

FREE

Celebrating 125 Years in Style

USGA, Pinehurst Resort Ink Historic Partnership

Also Inside: Charity Tournaments • Ross Renovations • A Pro Push

24th Annual Triad Golf Today

Tournament of Champions and

Interclub Challenge

A G 27 YE RS OF PU BL TIN ISH RA EB IN EL

G

T RIAD

D GOLF TODA Y RIA •C •T

GOLF TOD IAD AY TR •C

Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at Greensboro National Golf Club

GOLF PMS 341

PMS 281

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27 YEARS EARS OF P G 27 Y UB TIN LIS RA HI EB N EL PMS 7455

TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS Amateur winners of 2019 and 2020 club championships and other tournaments are invited to enter the 36-hole medal play tournament. Also Senior and Super Print Advertising | Digital Senior champions are invitedMarketing to enter the age 55-over and 65-over divisions.

CGA Ranking Points awarded to the top finishers in regular, senior and super senior divisions.

2013 Triad Media Kit.indd 1

Entries must be members of clubs on the Triad Golf Today map or reside in that area.

T of C Winners 2019 Curtis Brotherton 2018 Chris Cassetta 2017 Matt Nelson 2016 Jeremy Ray 2015 Caleb Keck 2014 Brant Stovall 2013 Ryan Sharpe 2012 Ben Pinkleton 2011 Ryan Sullivan 2010 Casey Wilmoth 2009 Scott Harvey 2008 Rocky Manning

2007 Tony Byerly 2006 Bret Kinney 2005 Andrew Smith 2004 Dustin Hussey 2003 Garland Yates 2002 Todd Chadwick 2001 Richard Shackleford 2000 Chris Logan 1999 Chris Logan 1998 Chris Logan 1997 Mike Roshelli

Senior Champions (Added in 2012)

2019 Craig Cathey 2018 Harrison Rutter 2017 Mike Roland 2016 Tom Fagerli 2015 Marc Cox 2014 Arlis Pike 2013 Ken Chester 2012 Mike Roland

INTERCLUB CHALLENGE Every club or association on the Triad Golf Today map is invited a assemble a foursome of members to compete in the team www.TriadGolf.com championship. The format is bestball, counting the best two of four scores on each hole.

Team members – including seniors and super seniors – not eligible for the Tournament of 10/24/12 10:06 AM Champions play in their own separate individual divisions.

Team Champions 2019 Bryan Park 2018 Maple Chase 2017 Pine Knolls 2016 Greensboro National 2015 Pine Knolls 2014 Deep Springs 2013 Sedgefield 2012 Tanglewood 2011 Cross Creek 2010 Sedgefield 2009 Southwick

2008 Sedgefield 2007 Brookwood 2006 Pennrose Park 2005 Pennrose Park 2004 Alamance CC 2003 Forest Oaks 2002 Forest Oaks 2001 Cardinal 2000 High Point CC 1999 Brookwood 1998 Grandview 1997 Colonial

Entry fee $150 per player Entry form available at triadgolf.com or by contacting Tournament Director Steve Williams 336-280-3722 or triadgolf@mac.com 2

TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

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TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

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Area Insider

F

– by David Droschak

or more than six months now, COVID-19 has presented its share of challenges across so many fronts. The golf industry – and in particular golf resorts – had to think on their feet – weekly, daily and even hourly.

And while golf was able to remain open across North Carolina while some business had to close or operate at a lower capacity, the main goal of golf management teams was to keep players and guests safe.

That mantra unfolded in many ways at many different locales, and at times produced some shining moments for the game of golf.

Take Rumbling Bald Resort in picturesque Lake Lure for example. In midMarch as the pandemic began, resort general manager Jeff Geisler and golf operations manager Adam Bowles agreed to an unconventional range plan for its 36-hole offering. Instead of golfers coming into the pro shop at Bald Mountain golf course to purchase a $5 token for a bucket of balls, the range was open for free.

To this day, it remains so, with some unexpected results along the way.

“When COVID hit and golf was in the crosshairs we really didn’t know what was going to happen, so we were looking for ways to make it very, very safe for everybody,” Geisler said. “And touching range balls seemed like it wasn’t necessarily a good thing, so we made it easy by just putting golf balls out and letting people hit golf balls. The range had a sense of being alive again.”

“We found out as soon as we set up those beautiful pyramids of balls on

the range everybody showed up, but it was incredible how many people I saw on the range that I didn’t recognize,” Bowles added. “Before the summer it was mainly members but we saw people out there hitting balls in the late evening, which they normally wouldn’t be doing, and then we saw families start to show up. People would come into the pro shop and ask to buy a token and when we told them it was free just go enjoy yourself they would light up, they loved that idea. Before you knew it every single day we would see 8-10 folks down there all the time.”

The golfing gesture even came as the resort was spending millions of dollars putting in new Bermuda greens on its sister course, Apple Valley.

Bowles would often find himself picking the range since the free ball plan required twice as many sweeps each day with all the practice swings taking place.

“Whatever it takes to keep the program going,” he said. “When you drive into the resort and see people hitting balls on the range that’s a good sign. It just gets everybody interested in what’s going on.”

Bowles believes the free range ball plan helped eliminate some barriers in golf.

“New golfers could get acclimated to the atmosphere,” he said. “We would give them a few clubs from the pro shop and let them hit some balls and they felt like ‘OK, I can do this.’ It has to translate into more rounds.

“Trying to acquire a new golfer is one of the great mysteries of the golf business,” Bowles added. “So any tiny, little victories we really cherish those.”

The peak leaf season is ahead for Rumbling Bald Resort, with the last week of October and the first portion of November the prime time.

“We have so many very big, mature trees -- it’s quite a show,” Bowles said.

Rumbling Bald Resort Photo by David Droschak

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TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

David Droschak, Editor Phone: 919-630-6656 • E-mail: david@triadgolf.com U.S. Mail: P.O. Box 1504, Apex, NC 27502 Steve Williams, Associate editor for college golf, scoreboards & aces.

Phone: 336-280-3722 • E-mail: triadgolf@mac.com

Triad Golf Today, published nine times a year, serves the Piedmont/Triad region of North Carolina and the Southside region of Virginia. While our information is gathered from dependable sources, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information. We do not accept responsibility for the validity of our advertisers. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of our materials without written consent is prohibited. Triad Golf Today and triadgolf.com are trademarks owned by Piedmont Golf Today, Inc. © 2020.

NEXT ISSUE: November 17, 2020 On the Cover: The USGA and Pinehurst Resort agree to historic partnership for decades to come.

Photo by Jay Allred

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“You know, there are some positives that have come from the pandemic,” he added. “The free range plan just sort of happened, but it has turned out to be a good choice. But coming here you get to

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Anchors Aweigh USGA setting up shop in North Carolina Sandhills

By David Droschak

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TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

www.triadgolf.com

R

emember the snickering from golf pundits prior to the 1999 U.S. Open coming to Pinehurst?

How was the United States Golf Association going to stage such a major championship in a rural location? The greens would never hold up under the summer heat, would they? Where would the corporate support come from?

More than two decades later, who is laughing now?

The USGA has committed and deepened its relationship with Pinehurst Resort and surrounding Moore County golf unlike it has with any other location across the country, announcing a second headquarters to be built here by 2023, along with a visitor’s center and satellite museum, and five U.S. Opens to be staged on iconic Pinehurst No. 2 through 2047.

The 2024 U.S. Open had already been scheduled, but the USGA will also host its men’s golf championship on the Donald Ross masterpiece in 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047, as well as bring numerous other USGA events to the North Carolina Sandhills.

Talks of this historic partnership began more than a year ago at the U.S. Amateur between USGA CEO Mike Davis, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, legislative and local government officials, business leaders and Pinehurst executives.

The deal almost fell apart as COVID-19 hit in March and state coffers began to run dry, but the state was able to recently approve an $18 million incentive package, with the help of some private donors, and the land for Golf House Pinehurst was donated to the USGA for the location of a state-of-the-art research and test center.

Officials estimate the economic impact for Moore County and the Sandhills area to approach $2 billion over the next two decades.

“This is an unprecedented contribution to the economic future of Pinehurst, Moore County, the region and the state of North Carolina,” said Pat Corso, executive director of Moore County Partners in Progress and former Pinehurst Resort executive. “This commitment to these premier golf events adds another permanent leg to our local stool of economic stability of health care, tourism and agriculture.”

Local officials believe the USGA’s calling card will bring new business and industry to the area that far exceeds just golf.

“There has not been a bigger day for this destination since Mr. Tufts put a stake in the ground in the Village of Pinehurst and built this resort in 1895,” added Phil Werz, president and CEO of Pinehurst, www.triadgolf.com

Kelly Miller of Pine Needles (left) and Tom Pashley of Pinehurst Resort can be viewed at times as resort rivals but both will benefit from the USGA’s recent deal with the state of North Carolina.

Photo by David Droschak Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Every industry will be touched here by this.

“It’s a cute tag line we use – The Home of American Golf -- but now it means so much more, and this decision by the USGA reinforces that fact, that we are the undisputed home of American Golf,” added Werz. “This is just the tip of the iceberg, and we’re just beginning to realize what the impact is truly going to be.”

Pinehurst No. 2 becomes the first “anchor site” for U.S. Open play in what Davis called “a groundbreaking” decision.

“U.S. Opens work so well here,” Davis said of Pinehurst Resort. “And with us building a state-of-the-art research and test center right here in the Village, it is not lost on us that just right up the road is the Research Triangle Park and some of the most renowned universities in the country.”

Pinehurst Resort’s U.S. Open history began with Payne Stewart’s “One Moment In Time” magical 15-foot win-

ning putt on the 18th green in 1999, and was followed by Michael Campbell’s stunning upset in 2005. The resort and USGA then teamed up with an unprecedented golf undertaking with the men’s and women’s U.S. Opens staged in consecutive weeks on No. 2 in 2014.

“Whenever our two organizations have challenged the status quo together … it has been great for the game of golf,” said Pinehurst Resort owner Robert Dedman Jr. Pine Needles Resort in nearby Southern Pines, which has also hosted numerous USGA women’s championships dating to 1996, also stands to be the big winner with this new USGA commitment.

“People think of us as competitors but we’re not nearly as much competitors as we are friends and trying to grow the game and work together,” president and CEO of Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club Kelly Miller said of Pinehurst Resort.

“We’re one of Pinehurst’s biggest cheer-

leaders as it relates to the championships they have and how well they do. This is a fantastic thing for our area and for the state of North Carolina. I can’t think of a much bigger thing that has happened since I’ve been here for 40 years – nothing bigger than this. We at Pine Needles have had discussions and we’re continuing the discussions in terms of putting dates to future USGA championships. We look forward to having an announcement in the not too distant future.”

Pinehurst Resort president Tom Pashley was quick to point out the USGA decision to set up shop in the Sandhills was a product of a lot of hard work by those inside the resort and those outside the “so-called” ropes.

“This opportunity has been earned by our community,” Pashley said. “With every championship that has been held in Moore County the community, the employees, the volunteers, everyone has earned this opportunity for us because this happens over time. This is not something that is just done by the stroke of a check; this is about trust and a long-term relationship. I’m just proud that our community has earned this right.”

Miller and Pashley both recall the doubt in many outsiders’ minds when the USGA tapped Pinehurst Resort for the 1999 U.S. Open, which at the time was the first such championship staged in the South.

“Just because it is somewhat of a rural community people were skeptical, but what folks didn’t realize was the tremendous population and corporate support throughout North Carolina and areas that are close like Raleigh, Fayetteville, Greensboro and Charlotte,” Miller said.

“So, while there is not as much corporate right here the state has embraced these events.”

“To echo some of what Kelly said, when major events are hosted in cities throughout North Carolina sometimes they become city events – you know, like a Charlotte event or a Raleigh event – but it seems like when golf is played in Moore County it’s a statewide event,” Pashley said, “So, the beauty is the entire state shows up, it’s not a city event. We felt that support since the 1999 U.S. Open.

What was done in 1999 was over the top, and we viewed every spectator, every person who was affiliated with the U.S. Open as a future resort guest. We’re in the hospitality business, that’s what this community is all about so we went above the beyond with that first introduction of the 1999 U.S. Open. And those are the types of things that earn you the opportunities that we’re now starting to enjoy.”

TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

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TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

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Alamance Country Club Refining the Ross style

By BOB SUTTON

Photo by David Droschak

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TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

I

t was time for Alamance Country Club’s renowned course to receive a bit of a facelift, and golfers should return in November after a significant “refreshening” of the Donald Ross layout.

“We’re very lucky that we have our original 1946 Donald Ross plans,” said Ray Womack, a longtime member at the Burlington club. “We always want to make sure that Mr. Ross’ plans have been followed through.”

That was one of the foundations for this project. Play ceased in mid-June for the upgrades.

A previous renovation took place in 1999, so it was naturally time for some extensive course work, said Alamance CC head pro and director of golf Drake Woodside.

“We have a lot of members who’ve been here quite a while,” Woodside said.

“It’s a membership that’s very aware of the course’s history. It’s very important to retain that.”

Alamance CC is considered the secondto-last design project undertaken by Ross, who devised some of the most highlyregarded courses in the world.

Womack and member Jim Crouch were among those who uncovered the original Ross plans for Alamance CC. Womack has been on the greens and grounds committee for close to 30 years.

“It’s one of my passions. To have a Donald Ross course is just one of the joys,” he said. “We have been very, very unwilling to make changes that weren’t in his plan.”

Finding Ross’ routing visions and notes provided a map “to help keep our course as true as we can to the course’s structure,” Womack said. “We weren’t going to mess with that. It’s still true to what Mr. Ross wanted.”

The par-71 course is sticking with bent grass greens, though a different grade. The latest project has involved working on the saddles and ridges of greens so they return to original perimeters.

“We were coming to the end of the useful life of the greens,” Womack said.

“We wanted to renovate the golf course and close it when we wanted to do it.”

The club’s board of directors had been putting together the pieces for this project for about five years. By the end of September, everything was on target and it was just a matter of waiting a few weeks for the new work to properly mature before golfers step on the course.

Another significant part of this project has involved going with the “Billy Bunker” system implemented by architect Billy Fuller, whose previous handiwork has Continued on page 11 www.triadgolf.com

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Alamance CC from page 10 included time at Augusta National, home of the Masters. The revised bunkers provide for better drainage and should reduce maintenance expenses.

“Get them back to more classic shapes,” Woodside said. “And we removed a few bunkers (like on No. 6, of instance).”

Perhaps as a bonus, contrasting white angular sand has gone into the bunkers.

“Beautiful white sand,” Womack said.

“It gives it a new look.”

Work has been done to firm up spots in front of several greens. Trees in some areas have been removed and drainage upgraded.

Forward tees have been added, creating a shorter set-up for certain golfers with the extra tee areas – though the course can play as long as 6,706 yards. Those playing from the shortest tees will see the distance reduced from about 5,100 yards to around 4,500. For instance, the par-3 14th hole plays shorter.

“The forward tees are going to be popular,” Woodside said.

Tee designations have changed from color-coded listings to a numbered system.

When the course underwent a renovation of greens and bunkers in 1999, orchestrated by architect Bob Cupp, the layout also was slightly lengthened at that time.

This year, the course work was done

by TDI Golf, a Canadian-based golf course construction company. Cam Martin was the project manager.

Woodside said the experience and background provided by director of greens and grounds Peter Horn and course superintendent Jeff Van Pelt puts the club’s course in good hands going forward.

Members are expecting a course that has been special to be even better.

“It was probably time to do that,” said Don Hill, the Elon University men’s coach. www.triadgolf.com

“(The course) is ranked so high, you want to maintain that. As a member, I can’t wait to see it.”

Alamance CC had a course record matched last fall. In October 2019, GardnerWebb redshirt junior Jake Scruggs posted a 10-under 61 in the second round of Elon’s Phoenix Invitational. Scruggs used 11 birdies to go with one bogey to match the record set

by William Register, who recorded his gem July 22, 2014. Scruggs, who’s from Shelby, went on to win the tournament the next day.

Register, a former Williams High School and University of North Carolina standout, is a pro on the PGA Mackenzie Tour in Canada.

Elon’s fall seasons were wiped out by the pandemic, but any home tournaments would have been held elsewhere while the Alamance CC course was closed. The club set up reciprocal arrangements for members with about 16 courses in the region, though not all those panned out because of restrictions at some other facilities.

Meanwhile, even with the course shut down for several months, Woodside said Alamance CC has increased membership this year.

Along with the work on the course, the range has been retooled. The big change in that area, though, comes with the addition of a teaching building that includes a golf simulator. Woodside said the instructional aspect is bound to be among the jewels for the club, providing new types of opportunities at all times of the year.

“Just to enhance the golf experience,” Woodside said.

Still, a majority of the attention is bound to be directed toward the greens and visual appeal across the course.

“Most of it has to do with the shapes of the greens. Get the greens up to the latest standards,” Womack said. “We’re just happy to have a newly refreshed golf course.”

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TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

13

Golf events around the Triad take on a different complexion during surreal year

By BRAD KING

I

n March and April, roughly half of the country’s golf courses were closed.

“It was scary in March, when the country was shutting down,” said Mike Long, general manager at Mill Creek Golf Club in Mabane. “When you start shutting down schools, you know, I thought we were going to be shut down. All of us here, the whole team, were trying to put their heads together. ‘How can we stay open?”’

Yet, the numerous public and semiprivate golf courses around the Triad were mostly spared. In early April, the Carolinas PGA (CPGA) put together their version of a program called “Back to Golf” that spelled out mandatory protocols to be followed during the on-going COVID-19 quarantine, which were updated in conjunction with phase transitions from the governor’s office.

The rules included golf-specific items such as no touching flagsticks or raking bunkers, no water coolers or sand bottles on the course, and using single-rider carts whenever possible.

During the worldwide pandemic, golf fared far better than most sporting endeavors — emerging as one of the few viable options for outdoor recreation and socialization in a time of lockdowns, closures and quarantines. “I never dreamed that they would shut a school down, but leave a golf course open,” Long said. “That really surprised me.”

In fact, during a surreal sports year, golf 2020 has celebrated a banner year.

Golf rounds are up in general. Most courses around the Triad report record number of rounds, some up as much as 35 percent.

The National Golf Foundation projects between a 2- and 6-percent growth in rounds in 2020 versus 2019. The industry hasn’t enjoyed a 5 percent jump year-overyear since 2012.

“We have been crazy busy,” Long said.

“Best year we’ve had in, well, gosh, back in the ‘90s.”

But, what about events such as charity fundraisers, corporate outings and Monday tournaments, a category of group play that helps many clubs and courses survive during a normal calendar year?

That’s been a different story.

For the handful of charity fundraiser events that Mill Creek has hosted during 14

TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

Photo courtesy of McConnell Golf.

the pandemic, Long said the club shifted from shotgun starts to tee times, with no social gathering afterward.

Across the Triad, shotgun outings are a thing of the immediate past, at least for the time being.

“We’ve just had to say, by the law, no shotgun starts,” said Harold Kincaid, general manager at Reynolds Park Golf Course in Winston-Salem. “But in general, we’ve done a lot less outings. Our men’s association is pretty strong. We used to do an event once a month and this year we’ve done three. But even with an event like that, we spread our tee times out even more than usual, so people don’t come in at the same time and congregate when they’re done.

“The funny thing is, we’re way up (in revenue),” Kincaid said. “Our golf leagues were off some this year and they didn’t start until later. This year, a lot of them didn’t start until May or June and ended a little early. Our senior play is off a little bit, we haven’t had quite as many association events, haven’t had as many outings, so to speak. And yet, we’re up to 25 to 30 percent.”

With the recent addition of Porters Neck Country Club in Wilmington, McConnell Golf now owns or manages 15 golf courses in the Carolinas and Tennessee, including a trio of Triad clubs — Sedgefield Country Club and The Cardinal by Pete Dye in Greensboro, and Old North State Club on Badin Lake’s Uwharrie Point.

McConnell VP of Golf Operations Brian Kittler said all three Triad courses generally play host to a steady number of outings.

“When COVID hit back in March, we reached out to a lot of the outings that were in the spring, and tried to find them a date for this time of year,” Kittler said.

“So, we were successful in keeping some of the business. Some of the folks just wanted to cancel. Not knowing what’s going to be happening in the fall or how comfortable people are going to be playing, ‘Why don’t we just cancel for 2020, but can we get our normal spring date again for 2021?’

Kittler said there have been numerous advantages to the tee time starts versus shotgun events. “Most of the events we’ve hosted so far, they actually like the tee time starts now compared to the shotgun

because it gives them more interaction with their customer,” he said. “They can see them on the first tee or the 10th tee or when they’re making the turn or when they finish the round. It just gives them more face time.”

“The ones that we’ve done have gone smoother, because you don’t have this rush of crowd,” Long said. “The shotgun events take a lot of orchestrating. You’ve got all the prep work before the shotgun ever happens, with the staging of the carts and the hole assignments.”

Triad clubs have rebounded from initial quarantine cancellations by using creative new ways of conducting outings, including use of an app called, “Golf Genius,” which uses online scoring, so players can see how they’re doing throughout the day.

McConnell Golf has been using an upgraded version of Golf Genius for more than three years. “We can create tournament portals,” Kittler said. “We can send all the current information out after the completion of the round. So, everyone knows where they finished, who Continued on page 15 www.triadgolf.com

Golf events from page 14

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Gil Hanse thought of every angle. Now it’s your turn.

Play Pinehurst No. 4.

© 2020 Pinehurst, LLC

won, their store credit or a long drive — things of that nature. Having that technology now for three years has definitely put us ahead of the game.”

Two categories in which Triad golf clubs have taken a considerable revenue hit have been merchandise, and particularly food and beverage. Social distancing has put the kibosh on the 19th-hole fellowship of a post-round burger and brew.

“Like every other restaurant owner and especially the bar owners, unfortunately that side of the industry has really felt the brunt of all these restrictions and limitations due to COVID,” Kittler said. “But they’ve done a great job and kept a good, positive attitude.”

Despite all the challenges, in a COVID-19-fueled world, the industry is witnessing evidence of a new boom. “(Losing large outing revenue) didn’t hurt financially because we’re filling up the course with either open play, and people were either working from home and able to get out on the course or in some cases not working at all, but they still want to get out and play golf,” Kincaid said.

He also said an abundance of young people are discovering golf at Reynolds Park.

“As far as the golf industry is concerned, I mean, there’s less runway in front of me than behind me — I’m 61,” Kincaid said. “My concern is that I hadn’t seen the younger generation replacing a lot of the older guys as they age out. But this has been a remarkable turnaround with 20- to 35-year-olds.

“We’ve had days, I guarantee, when we’ve had 40 or 50 Wake Forest kids out here playing. This is a year those of us in the golf industry have been looking for a long time. It’s kind of a bounce-back year. We’re tickled with it.”

Like many things in this pandemic, the way business used to be executed has changed.

“And some of these changes may turn out to be very positive going forward,” Kittler said. “We’re looking forward to seeing how it shakes out and finding the silver lining in all this.

“We’re just very fortunate that the golf industry has survived this pretty well,” he added. “Hopefully we can take advantage of that in terms of, ‘Hey, how can we use this going forward to continue to keep the popularity of golf going?’”

It’s time to test your mettle on this rugged masterpiece. Renowned course architect Gil Hanse has transformed what Donald Ross first carved out of the sand a century ago into 18 dramatic holes you’ll want to play again and again.

Introducing the latest championship course at Pinehurst.

Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina | 866.331.6011 | Visit pinehurst.com

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Former Greensboro Page golfer rediscovers golf

via a professional push

By DAVID DROSCHAK

Photo Credit Appalachian State University Athletic Department

18

TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

www.triadgolf.com

W

e all need a little bit of a push every now and then, but when that extra nudge comes via a professional golfer it can be a game changer.

That’s the case with Carrie Catherine Ganim, known affectionately to her family and friends as C.C. Ganim was the co-captain of the Greensboro Page women’s golf team in 2015, but she left the game four years ago other than an occasional Father’s Day round with dad Charlie Ganim.

C.C., who also played prep basketball at Page, admits that she just wasn’t in love with the game of golf.

“Most parents get frustrated saying ‘I know you can do more with the game’ but she just didn’t have the desire,” her father said. “Page came in third at the state championships, but she put away her clubs as basketball started literally the next day.”

Ganim, who tied for 28th place in the 4-A state championships in 2015, headed off to Appalachian State, with playing college golf the furthest thing from her mind. All the lessons she logged with Greensboro-based instructor Kelly Phillips in middle and high school soon faded from memory.

That all changed last summer when Charlie couldn’t help himself as a proud father and pulled out his phone to show a video of C.C.’s golf swing to none other than PGA Tour player Harold Varner. Charlie and a few of his buddies were dining with Varner at a Charlotte restaurant as part of a First Tee fundraiser.

Varner, along with other pros, often get approached by parents who believe their child will be golf’s “next big thing.” However, when Varner grabbed the cell phone he focused more raising the volume than watching the video unfold.

He then asked Charlie if he could reach out to his daughter. The two played phone tag for a few weeks before connecting.

“He told her, ‘C.C., you have been born with a gift. I saw your swing and it’s just beautiful, but the ball coming off the club is a different sound than most amateurs. Don’t waste what you’ve been given,”’ Charlie Ganim said of Varner’s call to his daughter. “From that moment on she was all in, to the point that she can’t get enough, she wants to learn. She didn’t play for four years so she understands she has a lot to learn surrounding the strategy of the game and how to shape various shots and so on. But she is absolutely in love with the game.”

“No surprise my dad would show him a video of my swing,” C.C said of the Varner encounter. “He could tell my swing was good from the sound of the ball coming off the club.

He was really supportive and encouraging. It was awesome he took the time to reach out to

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Harold Varner me, and he has done so occasionally since then.

He told me to keep practicing and keep doing what I’m doing.”

C.C.’s boyfriend at the time also landed a job at the local driving range in Boone, so she was able to hit balls for free. That spurred on another thought.

“I was like ‘Oh I kind of miss this.’ So I went back to my swing coach in Greensboro thinking that if I was going to be hitting balls all summer I should know what I’m doing and hit them right,” C.C. said.

C.C. also connected with the ASU assistant golf coach, who is a friend, to play a 9-hole round. As they were playing, she encouraged C.C. to try to walk on to the women’s golf team.

“I played a little more and practiced and the head coach came out to watch me later in the summer. I was super nervous, but she let me try out for the team and I made it a few weeks later,” C.C. said.

C.C. returned to Greensboro to inform Phillips she would need his services again.

“Yes, I was surprised because it was kind of an abrupt ending to her golf career as she went off and did her thing in college, which was good for her because she figured out she did have a passion for golf,” Phillips said. “I wanted to make sure that she was coming back to compete for the right reasons, which obviously she has. It has been fun to watch.”

“I am happy I found golf on my own; I did it on my own timetable,” C.C. added.

C.C.’s first round back on the course other than a Father’s Day round was an 89 at Elk River, but she has months later carded a careerlow 69 at a tournament in South Carolina.

“No more 89s, thank God,” the Academic All-American said with a laugh.

But the reality of trying to compete beyond the college ranks remains a dream – for now.

C.C. will be 23 in March, and has missed a valuable portion of prime competitive golfing years, and COVID-19 has also hindered additional tournament entries over the last six months.

“I want to see how it goes,” C.C. said of potentially trying to qualify for a professional circuit following her graduation this coming spring. “That’s a dream for anybody who plays sports, to try to make it to the pros, but right now I have a lot of work to do just at the level I’m at so I’m not trying to get ahead of myself.

You have to get your short game down if you want to score and that’s where I need to work on a lot.”

At around 280 yards, C.C. is plenty long off the tee. Phillips agrees that his pupil needs to hone the finer points of the game.

“I don’t call it being behind but we’ve certainly discussed that she missed four years of prime golf,” Phillips said. “I phrase it like ‘we’ve got time to make up.’ C.C. is really gifted so we both think we can make up that time. It’s not like I’m having to re-teach her anything; we’ve got to keep doing what she does and keep cleaning it up.

“We’ve talked about pro golf. That’s a goal and a dream, but we’re also going to be realistic about it, we’re not going to do anything unless we know we’re prepared to go do that,” Phillips said. “Q-School would be ‘the answer’ and right now we’re working on ‘the equation.’ It’s kind of corny but we like to say: ‘How can I be better today?’ It’s very easy for youngsters to get really engrossed in the end result but it always goes back to how well did I prepare today for tomorrow.”

Golf next June for C.C. Ganim may mean more than a casual round with dad on Father’s Day. “She absolutely has the talent and now I see the work ethic and the desire,” Charlie Ganim said of his daughter. “No, it’s not automatic, but I would like to see what she can do with golf at the next level.”

“I want her to get out and play as much as possible,” added Phillips. “She is in school and it’s getting colder in Boone but just making laps around the golf course is a good thing, and we’ve got to get in as many tournaments as possible so that she can get more comfortable in the uncomfortable. That’s the strength of the best players. It doesn’t really matter what the situation is, but the most difficult the situation is the better they become. You can talk about that as much as you want to but you have to go see it, do it, live it.”

TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

19

Yadkin Valley Fellowship of Christian Athletes Charity GOLF TOURNAMENT Monday, October 26, 2020

Register On-line or by Mail On-line:

https://yadkinvalleyfca.org/golf-event

Mail:

Send Completed Registration Form with check made out to Yadkin Valley FCA to: Yadkin Valley FCA Golf 132 Rhyne Ct Clemmons, NC 27012

For additional info contact Doug Luckett at: DTLuckett22@Gmail.com: 571-432-6715

324 Bermuda Run Drive Bermuda Run, NC 27006 First Tee Time: 9:00 AM Last Tee Time: Noon Format: Texas Scramble – Low 2 balls count

MAIL-IN REGISTRATION FORM Name: ________________________________________________ Company: _________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ City: _________________________________________________ State: _______________ Zip: ___________________________ Phone: _______________________________________ E-Mail: _____________________________________________________ Please list team players. Teams or individuals of less than 4 players, we will attempt to consolidate into a team foursome.

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Platinum

Funding for Tourney

Banner, Special Recognition, Event Sponsor, 2 Teams

$5,000

Gold

Funding for Tourney

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Funding for Tourney Hole Sponsor

Banner, Special Recognition, Water Raft, 1 Team Special Recognition, Hole Sign & Flag

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$400

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Men’s & Women’s Divisions On-Course Events: Water Raft

20

TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

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TRIADTODAY GOLF • TODAY • FALL 2020 TRIAD GOLF SEPTEMBER

21

Southern Pines Golf Club renovation plan revealed

By DAVID DROSCHAK

I

t was probably a no-brainer that Pine Needles CEO Kelly Miller would tap Kyle Franz to tackle the resort’s latest acquisition – historic Southern Pines Golf Club – as the architect of choice for a renovation project that is scheduled to begin this winter.

The work by Franz at sister resorts Mid Pines and Pine Needles was striking, award-winning and something that would have likely made legendary architect Donald Ross proud. In fact, Franz is finishing up a stunning $5 million project at Raleigh Country Club – the last design of Ross – and will immediately pivot to the 1906 layout in Southern Pines.

Franz believes Ross had three or four different design styles during his career, which he has tried to tap into as he’s gone from restoration to restoration to restoration.

“For me, it kind of goes without saying but Kelly (Miller) is an ideal client, especially an ideal client for a young architect because he has such great taste and instincts for architecture and understands the material so well,” the 39-year-old Franz said.

“And Kelly also has such a great appreciation for the history and the nuisances of design work, so we’re constantly picking away at things.

“I couldn’t be any luckier because Kelly and his team are committed to doing things right, and having the freedom to do it is great,” added Franz. “It’s a lot of fun working with them because they appreciate that we try to make each project a little different and make them something that golfers feel like if they miss one of them on one of these trips to the Sandhills that they missed something really worth seeing and they’ll come back.”

The “Elks Club” golf course sits on a fabulous piece of rolling terrain less than a minute from downtown Southern Pines, filled with towering pines and a centerpiece lake.

“The golf course is really, really strong and the routing is incredible, 22

TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

Photo by David Droschak

and the land is great,” Franz said.

“We don’t want to change the world over there. But we do want the greens to reflect what Ross intended and some of them, need work. And we’ll create a style of bunkers to give it that Ross touch and add some Old World charm to it.”

Miller notes that the sloping topography at Southern Pines Golf Club won’t support sweeping sandscapes that Franz has utilized in his previous renovation projects at Mid Pines and Pine Needles, saying they would “wash away.” Franz has an idea of his style of sand bunkers there, but is keeping it under wraps for now.

“I don’t want to tell anybody yet,” Franz said. “Yes, I do have a concept for it and yes it’s very unique and yes it is reflective of the Ross style.”

Early plans also call for the removal of hundreds of trees to creating “sweeping views” of the property as golfers make their way around the 114-year-old design.

“We would like to show off how

impressive the landscape it out there,” Franz said. “The trees are very, very overpopulated. It has never been managed from a tree standpoint so removing trees will also help the turfgrass to allow more sunlight, and we’ll open up some areas where people can golf their ball around a little bit more and not be in jail every time they reach the tree line.”

Once completed by early October 2021, Miller and his ownership group will have three original Ross courses to offer resort guests and members.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for us,” Miller said. “We’re excited and thrilled with a unique opportunity for our guests and members to have that 54-hole variety. They are all Ross courses but they are all different with three different genres.”

In addition to his work at Southern Pines Golf Club, Franz will also be spending some time tweaking Pine Needles for the upcoming 2022 U.S. Women’s Open.

“This winter is really the last winter for us to do anything because next winter we just have to keep the course in good shape,” Miller said. “We’ll mostly be narrowing some fairways and landing areas. We wanted to take a look at it working with the USGA and agree with most of what we’re outlining, that some of these sandscapes we’re proposing will be long term and ones we think we wouldn’t take out.”

Franz will also be doing some tee work at Pine Needles.

“We’ll be expanding a few tees – some backward and some forward -- to provide the USGA the flexibility on holes like 6 and 7, to provide a little bit of variety on the golf course and give players the clubs in their hands that Ross wanted them to be hitting into the greens from the tops of the crests,” Miller said. “None of these charges are dramatic because we believe the golf course is pretty challenging out there already.”

www.triadgolf.com

North Carolina A&T grad awarded 2020 PGA of America fellowship

By BRAD KING

U

ntil recently, Cameron Dinkins had never touched a golf club. “Outside of playing putt-putt,” she says, flashing her effervescent smile.

Nevertheless, during her senior year as an accomplished journalism student at Greensboro’s North Carolina A&T State University, Dinkins attended a career fair at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute.

A lifelong sports junkie planning to pursue the career of her dreams, Dinkins’ goal that afternoon was to meet a wide range of people from across the industry.

So — despite having never played golf — she paid a visit to the PGA of America information booth, where she met with PGA WORKS Program Specialist Rachel Melendez-Mabee.

“We began talking, she took my resume and we just talked about my experiences,” Dinkins said.

After submitting an application and participating in several follow-up interviews, Dinkins became one of 11 people selected from across the country as a 2020 PGA WORKS Fellow.

Established in 2017, the PGA WORKS Fellowship is a grant program facilitating up to 12 months of paid positions for recent college graduates. As part of the mission of PGA WORKS, the Fellows are encouraged to continue their journey into a career in golf following their fellowship.

The primary responsibilities of this year’s class of 11 PGA WORKS Fellows are to support and execute philanthropic initiatives and player development programs for the charitable foundation of their respective PGA Section. This includes assisting with marketing and communications activities, as well as special events for PGA HOPE (“Helping Our Patriots Everywhere”) and junior golf initiatives, such as PGA Jr. League and Drive, Chip & Putt.

Following graduation from North Carolina A&T, the 22-year-old Dinkins now serves as a Fellow for the Gateway PGA Section in St. Louis, where she supports many facets of Section operations, including public relations initiatives, PGA HOPE events, the Section’s Foundation and junior golf programming.

The PGA WORKS Fellowship aspires to be the most valuable entry-level opportunity for individuals from diverse backgrounds to gain experience in all facets of the golf industry. To date, past Fellows have worked at GOLFTEC, The Honda Classic, Westchester Country Club, The www.triadgolf.com

First Tee and The Club at the Strand, among others. Additionally, several Fellows have gone on to work full-time in PGA Section offices throughout the country.

“PGA WORKS is a deliberate effort to diversify the golf industry’s workforce so it becomes more reflective of the consumers the golf industry collectively aspires to attract,” Mabee said. “Our mission is to inspire individuals from all backgrounds to pursue the exciting career opportunities the golf business offers.”

“I’m learning something new every day,” Dinkins said. “The PGA WORKS Fellowship has opened my eyes to a whole new industry for me.

The fellowship has helped me see who I am, what I like and what I want to do in the future.”

Dinkins likes to quote the late poet, Maya Angelou, who said: “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”

Growing up in Manassas, Va., with a family that both played and deeply loved sports, Dinkins began dreaming about working in the sports media industry when she was just 6 years old — the first time she saw Pam Oliver reporting from the sideline of an NFL game. Dinkins said she

couldn’t believe a woman who looked like her was covering something she loved.

After Dinkins enrolled at North Carolina A&T, she quickly made her presence known throughout the Journalism Department by wearing a wide array of hats.

She worked as a contributor and managing copy editor for her school’s student-run newspaper, The A&T Register, covering sports, local news and campus news. She served as president of the student chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists and also worked as a production assistant intern for Aggie Sports Radio (1230 WFMR), where she had the opportunity to highlight a North Carolina A&T football player of the week.

Outside of school, Dinkins was a contributor to “Truebulll.com,” an online publication started by one of her fellow Aggie classmates. For “Truebulll.com,” she covered various topics such as sports, entertainment and HBCU news.

Equally successful in the classroom, Dinkins made both the Dean’s List and the Chancellor’s List every semester and was inducted to Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society in 2017.

Now, Dinkins is bringing her talent, style and bright-eyed charm to a sport she had never previously played or watched. “In the golf industry, though the PGA is trying really hard to make it diverse, it’s still a work in progress,” she said.

“We need more black and brown people, and other minorities to be a part of this industry to make it inclusive and look like the world.

“The program has really allowed me to grow professionally,” she added. “Being that this is my first job out of college, I’ve learned so much about myself and how I work as a professional. I’ve grown so much. I’m excited to see how the next coming months will be. I’m so blessed for this opportunity.”

Despite being a golf novice, Dinkins is looking forward to learning how to play the game. “So far, I’ve played just a little bit, but I really want to expand my skills and play more,” she said.

“Being a part of this fellowship was really the first time I’ve immersed myself in the golf industry and learning about the operations of the golf industry, and just learning the game of golf.”

Dinkins hopes her work in golf will ultimately help the game diversify. “That will be why this industry grows, if they continue to get more people who look like the students at Thurgood Marshall College Fund,” she said. “Because these students can really help this industry grow.”

TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

23

Junior Golf Scoreboard AJGA AJGA Junior Open by VisitFayettevilleNC.com Anderson Creek Golf Club, Spring Lake, NC SEP 19 - 20, 2020 Boys Division - 6945 1 Sihan Sandhu, Ashburn, VA 69-73--142 2 Mehrbaan Singh, Ashburn, VA 72-70--142 3 Garrett Engle, Harrisburg, PA 75-70--145 3 Garrett Kuhla, Richmond, VA 71-74--145 3 Zachary Ong, Scarsdale, NY 74-71--145 Selected Others 26 Ben Peters, Winston-Salem 80-77--157 Girls Division - 5913 1 Amanda Sambach, Davidson 75-69--144 2 Gabriella Kano, Fullerton, CA 77-68--145 3 AnPhi Le, Frederick, MD 75-71--146 3 Maria Atwood, Holly Springs 74-72--146 Selected Others 6 Morgan Ketchum, Winston-Salem 75-75--150 8 Ellen Yu, High Point 76-75--151

AJGA Junior Longleaf Golf & Country Club,Southern Pines, NC SEP 04 - 06, 2020 Boys Division - 6684 1 David Stanford, Vienna, VA 69-67-68--204 2 Nicholas Gross, Downingtown, PA 69-71-69--209 3 Jake Griffin, Kensington, MD 70-71-69--210 4 Tyler Kowack, San Diego, CA 68-72-73--213 5 Jaivir Pande, Houston, TX 70-75-70--215 Selected Others 13 Ben Jordan, Greensboro 76-70-74--220 Girls Division - 5930 1 Jackie Feldman, Austin, TX 72-69-72--213 2 Avery Zweig, Dallas, TX 78-69-72--219 3 Isabel Bae, Bristow, VA 78-74-68--220 Selected Others 15 Ellen Yu, High Point 82-75-73--230

CGA Creed Boys’ Invitational

Camden Country Club,Camden, SC Sept. 19 - 20, 2020 Boys Division - 6440

1 Nathan Franks, Roebuck, SC 2 Andrew Swanson, Bluffton, SC 2 Carter Busse, Davidson 2 Collin Adams, Charlotte 2 Max Green, Hilton Head Island, SC Selected Others 12 Kyle Haas, Winston-Salem 21 Caden Baker, Mebane 26 Bradley Davis, Pilot Mountain 44 Evan Mendyk, Summerfield 55 Calvin Hawkins, Lexington 61 Cole Rouse, Kernersville 80 Landon Merrell, Salisbury 80 Preston Howe, Winston-Salem

TYGA Sandhills One-Day

68-71--139 69-71--140 70-70--140 73-67--140 67-73--140 72-73--145 75-72--147 73-75--148 78-73--151 75-77--152 74-79--153 78-78--156 75-81--156

Southern Pines GC, Southern Pines, NC Sept. 27, 2020 Boys 16-18 Division - 6,300 1 Luke McCorquodale, Fayetteville 2 Liam Harris, Wake Forest 3 Connor Basinger, Jackson Springs Selected Others 7 Jonathan Rich, Rockingham 9 Michael Kramer, Kernersville Boys 13-15 Division - 6,300 1 Cornell Beans, Charlotte 2 Drew O’Neal, Wilson 3 Nathan O’Neal, Wilson 3 Chase Daly, Summerfield Selected Others 7 Patrick Daly, Summerfield 9 R.Cooper Diaz, Winston-Salem 14 Hunter Master, Oak Ridge

73 75 76 80 82 70 72 75 75 80 81 85

North State High School Girls’ Challenge Keith Hills GC, Buies Creek, NC Sept. 23, 2020 Girls Division - 5,305 1 Elizabeth Lohbauer, Huntersville 2 Halynn Lee, Cary 3 Tyler Spriggs, Cary 3 Heather Appelson, Wake Forest

67 71 73 73

Presented by

PKBGT.ORG

Selected Others 8 Anna Howerton, Winston-Salem 13 Mary-Paige King, Clemmons 37 Salem Lee, Asheboro 42 Emma Niebauer, High Point 42 Brooke Tyler, Summerfield 65 Ruth Asbill, Lewisville 67 Kendall Tyler, Summerfield

76 78 83 84 84 95 96

Sandhills One-Day Quail Ridge, Sanford, NC Sept. 20, 2020 Boys 16-18 Division - 6,300 1 Ethan Moore, Graham 2 Braden Gay, Winston-Salem 3 Kunakorn Kai Wen Tang, Raleigh Selected Others 9 Michael Kramer, Kernersville Boys 13-15 Division - 6,300 1 Alexander Murphy, Monroe 2 Connor Williams, Sanford 3 R.Cooper Diaz, Winston-Salem 3 Brant Dattilo, Wake Forest Selected Others 16 Joseph Bruce, Stanley 20 Aiden Thigpen, Summerfield 12 Division - 2,200 1 Gregor Brock, Leland 2 Darrin Webster, Sanford 3 George Lawson, Winston-Salem Selected Others 4 Logan Eddy, Greensboro

75 78 79 92 77 78 81 81 95 110 40 42 44 45

TYGA Tots

Gillespie Park GC, Greensboro, NC Sept. 19, 2020 Boys 12 Division - 1,700 1 Kevin Zhang, Clemmons 2 Brendan Queen, Greensboro 3 JJ Short, Winston-Salem Selected Others 4 Logan Eddy, Greensboro 5 Noah Yeary, Greensboro 7 Zachary Prescott, Greensboro

From Our Team to You Thank you for your business

Boys 10-11 Division - 1,700 1 Neel Ladde, Charlotte 2 Randal West, Goldsboro 3 Peyton Wyatt, Kernersville 3 Mark DeVault, Cary 3 Jack DeVault, Cary Selected Others 7 James Dunford, High Point 8 Bryson Settle, Elkin Girls 10-12 Division - 2,200 1 Minyan Ou, Shelby 2 Riley Bush, Burlington 3 Reece Hart, Winston-Salem Boys 8-9 Division - 1,700 1 Triton Helmer, Chapel Hill 2 Jack Strickland, Greensboro 3 Suvir Bedi, Charlotte 3 Dominik Slovak, Jamestown Selected Others 5 Owen Anderson, Burlington 6 Ryan Hiatt, Pinnacle 8 Landon Thompson, Oak Ridge 10 Colton Underwood, Liberty 10 Jake Dunford, High Point Girls 8-9 Division - 1,700 1 Elyn Aldrich, Charlotte 2 Ava Milks, Greensboro 3 Sana Sugawara, Chapel Hill 6-7 Division - 1,300 1 Minlin Ou, Shelby 2 Luke Walters, Winston-Salem 3 Kenan Turner, Randleman 4 Camden Smith, Archdale

38 39 45 45 45 50 51 45 48 49 35 38 44 44 45 46 47 51 51 48 56 62 37 51 55 73

Tournament of Champions 37 39 41 43 44 50

Keith Hills GC, Buies Creek, NC Sept 12 - 13, 2020 Boys 14-18 Division - 6489 1 Branden Boyce, Spring Lake 70-69--139 2 Gray Mitchum, Winterville 72-68--140 2 Keenan Royalty, Raleigh 73-67--140 4 Ethan Paschal, Fayetteville 71-70--141 5 Josh Buxbaum, Wake Forest 70-72--142 Selected Others 6 Ben Jordan, Greensboro 74-70--144 6 Cayden Bryner, Winston-Salem 71-73--144 9 Warren Fesperman, Salisbury 73-73--146 11 Luke Crouse, Reidsville 75-72--147 16 Sean Finan, Winston-Salem 73-75--148 18 Fisher Kennedy, Winston-Salem 72-77--149 18 Jack Burris, Greensboro 75-74--149 18 Kyle Haas, Winston-Salem 79-70--149 23 Freddy Ortmann, Greensboro 77-73--150 23 Robert Gefaell, Winston-Salem 75-75--150 29 David Elliott, Asheboro 75-76--151 32 Owen Pearce, Winston-Salem 74-78--152 Girls Division - 5530 1 Emerson Dever, Durham 74-70--144 2 Halynn Lee, Cary 76-72--148 3 Ella Kue, Kings Mountain 76-73--149 4 Elizabeth Lohbauer, Huntersville 76-77--153 5 Anna Howerton, Kernersville 78-76--154 5 Leah Edwards, Greensboro 78-76--154 Selected Others 7 Macie Burcham, Greensboro 74-81--155 9 Madison Dial, High Point 80-82--162 20 Elli Flinchum, Summerfield 88-89--177 23 Emma Maddock, Winston-Salem 93-91--184 25 Delaney Potts, Lewisville 97-94--191 26 Caroline Wright, Greensboro 105-87--192 27 Sarah Stewart, Kernersville 100-96--196

Sandhills One-Day

Silo Run Golf Course @ Rockford Ridge 4032 Rockford Road • Boonville, NC 27011

(336) 367-3133 24

TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

Legacy Golf Links, Aberdeen, NC Sept. 13, 2020 Boys 16-18 Division - 6300 1 Walker Neal, Cary 2 David Katzenmaier, Concord 2 Simon Burgos, Raleigh Selected Others 5 Jonathan Rich, Rockingham Boys 13-15 Division - 6,300 1 Luke Mosley, Greenville 2 Connor Williams, Sanford 3 Patrick Daly, Summerfield Selected Others 15 Aiden Thigpen, Summerfield Girls 16-18 Division - 5,300 1 Sidney Renville, Cary 2 Allison Robinson, Pinehurst 2 Mattie Noonkester, Ararat

72 79 79 80 74 75 79 113 80 91 91

Boys (High School, graduation year) 1 Caden Baker, Mebane (Eastern Alamance HS, 2021) 2 Ben Jordan, Greensboro (Greensboro Day, 2022) 3 Andrew Plate, Greensboro (Page HS ,2021) 4 Charlie Barr, Salisbury (Cannon School, 2021) 5 Kyle Haas, Winston-Salem (Forsyth Country Day, 2023) 6 Jack Boyer, Greensboro (Ragsdale HS, 2022) 7 Bradley Davis Jr., Pilot Mountain (East Surry HS, 2022) 8 Tyler Partee, Thomasville (Ledford HS, 2021) 9 Benjamin Peters, Winston-Salem (, 2021) 10 Calvin Hawkins, Lexington (Veritas Academy, 2023) Girls (High School, graduation year) 1 Emily Mathews, Mebane (Eastern Alamance HS, 2023) 2 Morgan Ketchum, Winston-Salem (Reagan HS, 2022) 3 Macie Burcham, Greensboro (Wesleyan Christian Academy, 2021) 4 Macy Pate, Winston-Salem (Reagan HS) 2024 5 Anna Howerton, Winston-Salem (Reagan HS, 2023) 6 Kayla Dowell, Mebane (Alamance Christian, 2021) 7 Leah Edwards, Greensboro (N/A, 2025) 8 Gabriela Cruz, High Point (Wesleyan Christian, 2021) 9 Ellen Yu, High Point (N/A, 2026) 10 Katelyn Griggs, Lexington (Gray Stone Day’s, 2022) Source: Tarheel Youth Golf Association as of 9/1/20

Selected Others 6 Kristina Perdue, Clemmons Girls 13-15 Division - 5,300 1 Lauren Kuhn, Pinehurst 2 Kate Crawford, Charlotte 3 Ava Gutshall, Winston-Salem Selected Others 6 Katherine Perdue, Clemmons Girls 10-12 Division - 2,200 1 Minyan Ou, Shelby 2 Emilee Miller, Fuquay Varina 3 Addy Arnold, Marvin 4 Sophia Perdue, Clemmons 8-9 Division - 1,700 1 Triton Helmer, Chapel Hill 2 Jacob Hodgkins, Morrisville 3 Jackson Meister, Greensboro 4 Reece Hart, Winston-Salem

110 84 87 91 106 39 45 51 60 32 37 41 42

PKBGT North Carolina Series Finale Colonial CC, Thomasville, NC Sept. 19-20, 2020 Prep Division - 5703 1 Halynn Lee, Cary 77-75--152 2 Leah Edwards, Greensboro 77-76--153 3 Saia Rampersaud, Durham 72-82--154 4 Ava Lucas, Raleigh 76-79--155 4 Garland Gould, Raleigh 79-76--155 Selected Others 9 Gabriela Cruz, High Point 79-81--160 9 Katelyn Griggs, Lexington 79-81--160 27 Salem Lee, Asheboro 90-91--181 28 Elli Flinchum, Summerfield 88-94--182 Futures Division - 5003 1 Rachel Joyce, Quakertown, PA 72-73--145 2 Madison Myers, Cary 80-76--156 3 Paige Sidney, Clemmons 78-80--158 4 Emma Niebauer, High Point 81-80--161 5 Mary Paige King, Clemmons 85-77--162 Selected Others 7 Ellie Acrey, Winston-Salem 78-86--164 13 Catherine DeSiena, Stokesdale 82-87--169 17 Ana Calderon, Lewisville 82-88--170 22 Ava Gutshall, Winston-Salem 86-88--174 26 Ashley Limbacher, High Point 90-87--177

www.triadgolf.com

Morgan goes low while recording 12th career ace

By STEVE WILLIAMS

W

ith 12 holes-in-one over a long golf career, there are numerous great memories for Ron Morgan of Advance.

At age 83, shooting his age isn’t a problem. In fact, Morgan carded a 69 on a combo round of playing the front nine at Tanglewood’s Reynolds Course and then the front nine of the Champions Course when he made his most recent ace Sept. 8.

A birdie on the ninth at the Reynolds course, followed by birdies on the first two holes on the Champions Course, then capped off by his ace on No. 3, gave Morgan a 5-under-par stretch over four holes.

Bob Kokoski and John Turner were in the threesome that saw Morgan’s perfectly struck 5-iron from 180 yards.

“We all knew I hit it right at the hole but you couldn’t see the cup from the tee,” Morgan said. “We could see the flag but when we were going toward the green there was no ball on the green. I figured it was either in the sand trap or in the hole, and it was in the hole.”

It was his seventh hole-in-one on Tanglewood’s two courses. The only par-3 Morgan hasn’t aced is No. 3 on the Reynolds Course.

His other aces came at Mimosa Hills in Morganton, Old North State Club in New London, Chatmoss in Martinsville, Va. and the Love Course at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. Morgan said the one at Barefoot Landing was the most expensive.

“About four or five years ago a bunch of us from Tanglewood were down there,” Morgan recalled. “I hit a 7-iron and when it was in the air, I said ‘I’ll buy’ and that one cost me a $300 bar tab.”

The ace at Old North State Club was in a charity event.

“I won a boat with that one but I’m not a boat person,” he said. “And back then if you accepted something like that, you would lose your amateur status for a minimum of one year.”

After a call to the USGA, Morgan found out he couldn’t give the boat away but that he could take the wholesale value (from the sponsoring insurance) and donate to a charity. Later that year, the Forsyth County Christmas Home received

an anonymous donation of $9,000.

That ace was his only one he deemed to be in competition. That doesn’t mean Morgan has not been a tournament player over the years. He’s competed in one U.S. Amateur and four U.S. Amateur Pub Links national championships. Locally, he won the Forsyth Am three times and the Forsyth Senior four times.

Due to vision issues, Morgan quit playing competitive golf five or six years ago, but he wasn’t about to give up the game. He says he plays three times a week these days.

Other great shots reported to Triad Golf Today since the September issue follow.

Par 4 Ace

Drew Gilgo of Burlington, Aug. 22, Crooked Tree GC. No. 8, 265 yards, driver. Playing partners: Ryan Elder, Hugo Garcia. His first ace.

Double Eagle

Harley Cisco of Kernersville, Aug. 28, Tanglewood Reynolds Course. Tanglewood Reynolds Course.

No. 15, 360 yards. Driver, then 8-iron. Playing partners: Scotty Dickens, Ken Jarvis. First double eagle. Note: Cisco, age 77, has been playing 55 years and has never recorded an ace.

Par 3 Aces

James Ford of Kernersville, Sept. 30, Old Homeplace GC. No. 13, 145 yards, 6-hybrid.

His second ace.

Jeff Murray of Eden, Sept. 26, Lynrock GC. No. 17, 110 yards, gap wedge. Playing partners: Billy Hambrick, Butch Martin, Ricky Willis. His third ace.

John Beedham of Reidsville, Sept. 24, Wolf Creek GC. No. 2, 135 yards, pitching wedge.

His second ace.

Steve Huffman of Elon, Sept. 23, Country Hills GC. No. 12, 136 yards, 7-iron. His first ace. Huffman is a longtime Triad Golf Today/ Triangle Golf Today writer.

Calvin Blakely of Reidsville, Sept. 15, Wolf Creek GC. No. 14, 145 yards, 6-iron. Playing partners: James Shelton, Jim Dyson. His second ace.

Mark Jefferson of Danville, Sept. 14, Goodyear GC. No. 12, 130 yards, 6-iron.

Playing partners: Brian Davison, Lee Chilton, Mike Thacker. His first ace.

Bill Hansen of Burlington, Sept. 14, Southwick GC. No. 8, 103 yards. Playing partners: Tommy Childress, Paul Camp, George Amash, George Troxler.

Tony Hartley of Lexington, Sept. 9, Lexington GC. No. 11, 156 yards, 3-wood. Playing partners: Charles Sargent, Len Durick, Frank Macy. His fourth ace.

Willie Kegley of King, Aug. 22, Crescent GC. No. 8, 135 yards, 9-iron. Playing partners: Russell Spencer, Winton Spencer, Chris Spencer. His first ace.

Jimmy Uhl of Tobaccoville, June 15, Hemlock GC. No. 12, 140 yards, 7-iron. Playing partners: Ray Jones, Bob Morrow. His first ace.

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TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

25

Presented By Carolinas Golf Association

27th North Carolina Mid-Amateur Championship Keith Hills GC, Buies Creek (par 72) Sept. 26-27 (weather-shortened to 36 holes) 1. Chad Wilfong, Charlotte!

68-68--136 2. Dan Walters, Winston-Salem!

67-70--137 3. Mark Olbrych, Raleigh!

71-67--138 3. Andrew Sapp, Greenville!

69-69--138 5. Joe Jaspers, Huntersville!

74-65--139 5. Grandon Mader, Greenville!

71-68--139 5. Jay Roberts, Concord!

68-71--139 8. Jeff Boyan, Winston-Salem!

69-71--140 9. Jerry Richardson, Cary!

72-69--141 Selected others from field of 124 10. Daniel Walsh, North Wilkesboro!

71-71--142 14. Joe Burns, Greensboro!

70-73--143 20. Caleb Keck, Concord!

75-69--144 23. Paul Slomkowski, Colfax!

74-71--145 23. Alex Nianouris, Raleigh!

74-71--145 30. Wade Boteler, Burlington!

77-69--146 30. Chris Cassetta, High Point!

73-73--146 30. Korky Kemp, Greensboro!

70-76--146 30. Matthew Younts, Greensboro!

68-78--146 36. Joseph Cansler, Clemmons!

74-73--147 36. Will Suddreth, Jamestown!

71-76--147 36. Addison Lambeth, Brown Summit!

71-76--147 44. Scott Newton, Walburg!

75-73--148 44. Dustin Moore, Burlington!

73-75--148 52. Gary Pugh, Asheboro!

73-76--149 Notes: Former Wake Forest golfer Chad Wilfong, a Thomasville native, overcame first-round leader Dan Walters of Winston-Salem with a seven-birdie final round ... a two-shot swing on the par-3 14th hole proved to be decisive as both Wilfong and Walters played the closing four holes at 2-under ...

It was Wilfong’s second CGA title, previously winning the 2001 N.C. Amateur while at Wake Forest ... Wilfong played professional golf several years (highlighted by a full season on what is now the Korn Ferry Tour in 2005) ... he regained his amateur status in 2016 ... Joe Burns (T3), Paul Slomkowski (6th), Chris Cassetta (T7) and Korky Kemp (T7) all finished in the top 10 of the 40-over age group that was won by Andrew Sapp.

22nd Carolinas Senior Women’s Amateur Kiawah Island Resort (Oak Point), Kiawah Island, SC Sept. 22-23 Championship Division (24 entries) 1. Pam Prescott, Piedmont, SC! 75-73--148 2. Jayne Pardus, Mount Pleasant, SC! 76-73--149 3. Kerry Rutan, Daniel Island, SC! 77-73--150 4. Brenda Kuehn, Asheville!

75-77--152 Carolinas Division 1. Karin Wolfe, Lexington, SC! 74-75--149 2. Maria Malone, Greensboro!

74-78--152 3. Julie Shore, Raleigh!

78-75--153 Selected others from field of 58 13. Kelly Whitley, Greensboro!

87-77--164 28. Jackie Edmunds, Greensboro!

86-87--173 Carolinas Division Super Seniors 1. Karin Wolfe, Lexington, SC! 74-75--149 2. Maria Malone, Greensboro!

74-78--152 Selected others from field of 30 14. Jackie Edmunds, Greensboro!

86-87--173 59th Carolinas Senior Amateur Ballantyne CC, Charlotte (par 72) • Sept. 9-11 1. Todd Hendley, Columbus!

71-71-68--210 2. Harrison Rutter, Winston-Salem!

71-72-69--212 3. Gary Robinson, Fayetteville!

71-73-69--213 3. Steve Liebler, Irmo, SC! 71-70-72--213 5. Paul Simson, Raleigh!

74-71-69--214 5. Steve Harwell, Mooresville!

74-66-74--214 Selected others from field of 132 15. Linley Tate, Greensboro!

75-75-68--218 15. Gary Pugh, Asheboro!

71-74-73--218 25. Tony Nichols, Reidsville!

76-72-74--222 28. Craig Cathey, Burlington!

71-69-83--223 45. Patrick Brady, Reidsville!

75-75-76--226 58. Patrick Smith, Winston-Salem!

78-74-78--230 58. Steve Kidd, Liberty!

79-73-78--230 12th Carolinas Super Senior Championship Kinston CC, Kinston (par 71) • Sept. 1-2 Ages 65+ Championship Division 1. Paul Simson, Raleigh!

69-67--136 2. Evan Long, Charlotte!

68-70--138 3. Bob Edens, Columbia, SC! 73-67--140 4. Rick Condrey, Nebo!

72-71--143 Selected others from field of 69 27. Eric Taylor, Greensboro!

79-75--154 31. Hugh Quinn, Lewisville!

76-79--155 31. Keith Hiller, Clemmons!

76-79--155 36. Garland Yates, Asheboro!

79-78--157 40. Jim Morgan, Greensboro!

83-76--159 Ages 70+ Division 1. Jack Marin, Durham!

67-71--138 2. Charlie Parks, Asheboro!

71-68--139 3. Pete Allen, Southport!

69-72--141 4. Arlis Pike, Kernersville!

72-70--142

26

TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

Selected others from field of 44 7. Bob Beasley, Greensboro!

10. James Brown, High Point!

16. David Millis, High Point!

20. Mike Sprouts, Winston-Salem!

72-75--147 72-76--148 73-78--151 73-81--154

Golf Coaches Assoc. of America

Amateur Series Pinehurst No. 6 • Sept. 26-27 1. A.J. Beechler, Pinehurst!

72-68-65--205 2. Fulton Smith, Pinehurst!

69-73-66--208 2. Carson Ownbey, Canton!

72-65-71--208 Selected others from field of 61 7. Justin Emmons, Asheboro!

68-70-75--213 24. Sam Davidson, Asheboro!

77-72-72--221 42. Mallory Fobes, East Bend!

78-80-74--232 54. Luke Michael, Trinity!

83-75-79--237 56. Catherine Ganim, Greensboro!

79-81-79--239 Carolina Trace CC, Sanford • Sept. 26-27 1. Austin Greaser, Vandalia, Ohio!

70-72-68--210 2. Max Steinlechner, Raleigh!

73-70-68--211 Selected others from field of 44 16. Noah Connor, Reidsville!

71-77-73--221 24. Nicholas Mathews, Mebane!

78-74-73--225

CGA One-Day Four-Ball

Selected finishers from Triad (top half of division) ONE-DAY FOUR-BALL TOURNAMENTS Camden CC, Camden, SC • Sept. 28 Men Long Tees (14 entries) 7. Brady Gregor, Winston-Salem-Mark Gaynor, Florence! 70 Mixed and Women (7 entries) 1. William Gipe, China Grove-Lynda Sholar, Mooresville! 73 Porters Neck CC, Wilmington • Aug. 31 Men Regular Tees (14 entries) 5. Clem Venable, High Point-Jacob Lucky, Raleigh!

73

SENIOR ONE-DAY FOUR-BALL TOURNAMENTS Jefferson Landing Club, Jefferson • Sept. 28 Tournament Flight A (9 entries) 2. Richard Krapfel, W-S-Howell Nelson, Greensboro!

68 4. Murray White, High Point-Rick Riddle, Charlotte!

70 Tournament Flight B (9 entries) 1. Mike Utt, Advance-Barry Sikes, Winston-Salem!

69 3. George Snyder-Troy Payne, Mount Airy!

70 Tournament Flight C (9 entries) 1. Dale Slate, Advance-Herb Whitesell, Granite Falls!

71 3. Scotty Odell, Greensboro-David Millis, High Point!

72 Super Senior 65+ (15 entries) 4. Joe Riddle, Ararat-Johnny Morton, Claudville, Va.!

73 6. Ron Shelton, Oak Ridge-Rick Chapman, Granite Falls! 74 7. Steve Price, Charlotte-Chris Eckard, Wilkesboro!

75 7. Terry Johnson,N.Wilkesboro-James Warden,Wilkesboro! 75 Super Senior 70+ (6 entries) 1. Sam Crawley-David Baity, Yadkinville!

71 3. Gene Grubb-Frank Cheney, Greensboro!

73 Holly Ridge GL, Archdale • Sept. 22 Tournament Flight A (12 entries) 1. Robert Dail, Wendell-Ron Brady, McLeansville!

2. Charlie Parks, Asheboro-Doug Owens, Albemarle!

4. Jeff Burcham-Jeffrey Guernier, Greensboro!

4. James Kemerling, Lewisville-Mark Robinson, W-S! 6. James Busker, Charlotte-Flagge Stanfield, W-S! Tournament Flight B (12 entries) 1. Jeff Jensen, Greensboro-Steve Citty, Reidsville!

3. Gary Eubanks-Robert Pace, Greensboro!

4. Byron Buxton-John Fairchild, Winston-Salem!

5. Larry Kiger-Mark Marion, Winston-Salem!

6. Dale Slate, Advance-Herb Whitesell, Granite Falls!

6. Dan Cockman, Randleman-Tom Eggleston, Star!

Super Senior 65+ (7 entries) 1. Larry Boswell, High Point-Harold Rush, Jamestown!

2. Tom Craig, Cary-Trip Gentry, Greensboro!

Super Senior 70+ (12 entries) 3. Jim Gress, Clemmons-Billy Morris, Clemmons!

3. Sam Crawley-Gary Long, Yadkinville!

Pinewood CC, Asheboro • Sept. 21 Tournament Flight A (10 entries) 1. Charlie Parks, Asheboro-Doug Owens, Albemarle!

2. David Wall, Madison-Johnny Kallam, Stoneville!

5. Eugene Hyjek, Brown Summit-Russ Craig, Whitsett!

Tournament Flight B (10 entries) 1. Larry Kiger-Mark Marion, Winston-Salem!

2. Jeffrey Bruce, Greensboro-Jeffrey Petry, Elon!

3. Dale Slate, Advance-Herb Whitesell, Granite Falls!

5. Parker Whitt-Huston Shaw, Winston Salem!

Super Senior 65+ (10 entries) 1. Keith Rich, Randleman-Doug Davis, Holly Springs!

2. Todd Turner, West End-Dickie Brewer, Winston Salem!

4. Bob Smith, Clemmons-John Crooks, Lillington!

4. Steven Johnson, Jefferson-David Lane, Advance!

67 68 69 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 75 64 68 73 73

69 71 74 72 75 76 78 73 75 76 76

Super Senior 70+ Flight A (9 entries) 1. Jim Gress, Clemmons-Billy Morris, Clemmons!

4. Sam Crawley-Gary Long, Yadkinville!

Super Senior 70+ Flight B (10 entries) 1. Don Corry-Frank Hunter, Lexington!

5. Ben Payne-Travis Jones, Greensboro!

Legacy Golf Links, Aberdeen • Sept. 15 Tournament Flight A (13 entries) 4. Jeff Burcham-Jeffrey Guernier, Greensboro!

Tournament Flight B (12 entries) 2. Jeffrey Bruce, Greensboro-Jeffrey Petry, Elon!

4. Roger Ladue, Kernersville-John Winnie, West End! 5. Dale Slate, Advance-Herb Whitesell, Granite Falls!

5. Jim Williams-Brian Nason, Kernersville!

5. Tim Neal, Winston-Salem-Joey Howard, Walkertown!

5. Parker Whitt-Huston Shaw, Winston-Salem!

Super Senior 65+ (9 entries) 4. Michael Robinson, Greensboro-Tim Ward, Randleman!

Super Senior 70+ Flight A (9 entries) 2. Ray Novicki, Southern Pines-Larry Boswell, High Point!

Tr i a d

65 69 72 80

69 71 74 75 75 75 75 76 67

Pinewild CC (Magnolia), Pinehurst • Sept. 14 Tournament Flight A (11 entries) 5. John Rountree-Donald Moore, Greensboro!

70 Tournament Flight B (11 entries) 5. Stanley Randall-Benny Randall, Mocksville!

75 Super Senior 70+ Flight A (11 entries) 4. Ray Novicki, Southern Pines-Larry Boswell, High Point! 72 LADIES ONE-DAY FOUR-BALL PLAY DAYS Mimosa Hills GC, Morganton • Oct. 1 First Flight (13 entries) 3. Katherine DeVore, High Point-Terrie Allemang, Hil.Head! 74 Mid South Club, Southern Pines • Sept. 16 First Flight (13 entries) 1. Sook Hee Yang, Jamestown-Dokim Elphick, Cary!

73 3. Maria Malone-Jackie Edmunds, Greensboro!

75 Second Flight (13 entries) 2. Julie Shore, Raleigh-Steph Cooper, Clemmons!

76 3. Bonnie Montgomery, Jamestown-Carmen Andia, Whitsett! 77 Talamore GC, Southern Pines • Sept. 15 First Flight (13 entries) 2. Sook Hee Yang, Jamestown-Dokim Elphick, Cary!

71 5. Maria Malone-Jackie Edmunds, Greensboro!

75 Second Flight (13 entries) 3. Bonnie Montgomery, Jamestown-Carmen Andia, Whitsett ! 76

CGA Rankings

Through Oct. 3 - Listing leader and top 10 from Triad Men (events)!

Points 1. Peter Fountain, Raleigh (4)!

1120.5 4. Nick Lyerly, Salisbury (2)!

786.0 10. Davis Womble, Winston-Salem (4)!

582.5 Senior Men (events)!

Points 1. Todd Hendley, Columbus (2)!

652.5 7. Harrison Rutter, Winston-Salem (1)!

330.0 Super Senior Men (events)!

Points 1. Paul Simson, Raleigh (2)!

620.0 10. Charlie Parks, Asheboro (2)!

230.0 Women (events)!

Points 1. Rachel Kuehn, Asheville (1)!

1551.0 10. Mallory Fobes, East Bend (1)!

334.5

Carolinas PGA

69th South Carolina Open The Reserve GC, Pawleys Island, SC • Sept. 14-15 1. Jerry Haas, Winston-Salem, $3,500!

64-73--137 2. a-Logan Sowell, Charleston, SC! 71-66--137 3. Brock Elder, Randleman, $2,300!

73-65--138 4. a-Blake McShea, Zebulon!

66-74--140 5. a-Tyler Gray, Lugoff, SC! 70-71--141 6. Steve Scott, Winston-Salem, $1,517!

73-69--142 6. Jimmy Flippen, Danville, Va., $1,517!

72-70--142 6. Burke Cromer, Columbia, SC, $1,517!

76-66--142 6. Seth Sweet, Okatie, SC, $1,517!

72-70--142 6. Adam McLaughlin, Raleigh, $1,517!

70-72--142 Selected others from field of 127 20. Troy Spencer, Charlotte, $686!

74-71--145 34. Brad Luebchow, Lewisville, $400!

75-73--148 38. Tommy Gibson, Mount Airy, $350!

77-72--149 44. Aaron O’Callaghan, Pfafftown, $305!

72-78--150 Notes: Jerry Haas, golf coach at Wake Forest, defeated College of Charleston senior Logan Sowell on the third playoff hole. Haas had the first-round lead with 64 but Sowell charged into the tie with a second-round 66. Brock Elder of Randleman, teaching pro at Forest Oaks CC, also made a second-day rally, firing a 65 to take solo third.

Pro-Official Championship Country Club of NC (Dogwood), Pinehurst • Sept. 9 1. Seth Covington-Joey Perkins, Pilot Knob GC! 64 2. Andy Gregory, Tim Driver, Club at 12 Oaks!

65 Selected others from field of 70 6. Savio Nazareth-Brad Penn, Starmount Forest CC! 67 16. Justin Malone-Bret Kinney, Greensboro National GC! 69 21. Jason Gentel-Mike Crawford, Winding Creek GC! 70

GPro Tour

Club at Irish Creek, Kannapolis - Sept. 30-Oct. 2 1. Ryan Elmore, Dunwoody, Ga., $10,000!

67-64-72--203 2. Thomas Bass, Wilmington, $5,400!

66-67-70--203 Selected others from field of 79 18. Mark Kriston, Clemmons, $800!

72-67-73--212 Elmore won playoff on first extra hole

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Amateur Team • Forest Park Two-Man Championship ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • Forest Park CC, Martinsville (par 72) ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Captain’s Choice/Texas Scramble - Sept. 26 • ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Bestball-Modified Alternate Shot - Sept. 27 • Championship Flight ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Darryl 63-67--130 • Byrd-Marty Anderson !

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Jerel•Whiting-Cody Lissner !

64-69--133 Jamie Gilley-Brant Stovall !

64-70--134

Garrison Brown-Chris Compton !

64-74--138 Brian Kallam-Tyler Turney !

65-74--139 Carson Nease-Kevin Harms !

65-74--139 First Flight •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Terry Carter-Cameron Carter !

66-65--131 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Bill Teegan-Jeff Adkins !

67-68--135 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Robert Hoyt-Mike Wade !

66-70--136 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Chris Clark-Brent Dalton !

66-71--137 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Shane Grady-Patrick Francisco !

67-73--140 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Chad Wright-Derrick Soper !

66-77--143 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Scott Shytle-Rod Berry !

67-78--145 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Second Flight •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• George Kasey-Mike Martin !

68-73--141 Debbie Thompson-Vickie Oakes !

68-74--142 Bob Moore-Tim Moore !

69-75--144 Floyd Wyatt-David Campbell !

72-73--145 Flop Haskins-Tim Jennings !

74-75--149 TJ Davis-Blake Whitney !

73-77--150 Third Flight Marvin Wingfield-Alan Hall !

80-76--156 Guy Chappel-Barry Smith !

76-80--156 John Trent-Sam Roberts !

78-84--162 Chris Young-Wayne Hankins !

78-85--163 Bonnie Oakes-Barbara Kasgubar !

81-84--165 Goodyear Two-Man Invitational Goodyear GC, Danville, Va. (par 71) • Sept. 19-20 Championship Flight (top 9 of 9) Ronnie Fultz-Jerel Whiting!

69-68--137 Donnie Scearce-Chad Anderson!

66-71--137 Monte Holley-Layne Mills!

66-71--137 Kevin Lassiter-Karl Lanford!

69-69--138 Patrick Allred-Joe Burns!

67-72--139 Jake Hardy-Eric Squier!

65-75--140 Steve Crouse-Richard Crouse!

69-71--140 Tony Nichols-Patrick Brady!

69-72--141 Bob Williams-Mike Christley!

68-76--144 First Flight (top 7 of 15) Charlie Vaden-Aaron Abts!

70-69--139 Randy Clayton-Logan Thornton!

71-70--141 Bobby Cadieux-Derek Edmonds!

73-69--142 David Weinberger-Jeremy Peed!

71-71--142 Steve Bigham-Barron Walker!

70-74--144 Robert Trent-Bruce Newsome!

73-71--144 Second Flight (top 5 of 10) Bradd Crews-Lee Lovelace!

75-69--144 75-75--150 Richard Dunn-Jimbo Eggleston!

Jimmie Tsiolkas-Mike Payne!

74-77--151 Ryan Glavas-Dennis Williams!

74-78--152 Shane Hamlett-David Braxton!

76-76--152 Third Flight (top 4 of 8) Sam Patterson-Johnny Hopkins!

80-81--161 Mark Mitchell-Danny Woodson!

82-82--164 Jeremy Gentry-Bill Duarte!

84-85--169 Bill Frazier-Randy Weary!

80-89--169 Notes: Ronnie Fultz birdied the third hole to end a three-way playoff. Fultz and Jerel Whiting parred the first two playoff holes as did Chad Anderson and Donnie Scearce. Monte Holley and Layne Mills were eliminated on the first playoff hole.

Lynrock Invitational Lynrock GC, Eden (par 70) • Sept. 12-13 Championship Flight Derek Ward-Tanner Bibey!

63-61--124 Joe Poplin-Addison Manring!

61-65--126 Robert Holt-Michael Wade!

62-64--126 Frank Ward-Donnie Owens!

67-62--129 Terry Carter-Blake Carter!

65-64--129 First Flight Sam Patterson-Garland Yates!

70-69--139 Josh Moore-Jason Nester!

71-68--139 Jamie Gilley-Brant Stovall!

71-68--139 Keith James-Keegan Denny!

71-68--139 Johnny Hopkins-Mike Sigmon!

71-68--139 Donnie Scearce-Matt Gammon!

71-68--139 Brian Reynolds-Brian Robinette!

72-67--139 Joey Conner-Richard Dyer!

72-67--139 Second Flight Scott Gammons-Trey Horsley!

76-68--144 Chris Walker-Hunter Walker!

77-68--145 Billy Pinnix-Daniel Berger!

76-70--146 Butch Martin-Tony Martin!

76-71--147

www.triadgolf.com

Presented By CGA One-Day

Belmont Lake GC, Rocky Mount Aug. 29 Men B (14 entries) 5. Michael Craig, Whitsett!

83 Women (6 entries) 1. Emily Mathews, Mebane!

69

Amateur Individual

9th Bulldog Invitational Sandpiper Bay GC, Sunset Beach Sept. 11-13 Championship Flight Tony Byerly!

68-70-67--205 Wesley Perry!

66-71-73--210 Adam Hamlett!

72-71-71--214 First Flight Alex George!

75-72-68--215 Bruce Newsome!

72-74-70--216 Kam Winburn!

72-71-76--219 Second Flight Dylan Isley!

76-74-71--221 Robert Trent!

74-76-73--223 Stephen Barnes!

77-84-77--238 Senior Championship Jerry Joyce!

71-66-70--207 Art Benton!

75-71-74--220 Tommy Childress!

76-75-76--227 Senior First Flight Walt Byerly!

76-73-77--226 Ronnie Kirkman!

76-76-78--230 Jimmy Foster!

78-80-77--235

Senior Am Tour

Listing Triad area players in top half Pinewild (Magnolia), Pinehurst Sept. 24 Championship Flight (8 entries) 1. Dan Anthony, Thomasville!

75 2. Kevin McDougald, Lillington!

75 2. David LeVeque, Greensboro!

75 B Flight (13 entries) 1. Dennis Guerriero!

76 2. Mark Harper, Winston-Salem!

81 2. Rob Geilhausen, Linwood!

81 6. Mark Robinson, Winston-Salem!

83 C Flight (18 entries) 1. Bobby Hutchison, Walnut Cove!

80 2. Will Anderson, Pfafftown!

84 3. Shane Kilby, Winston-Salem!

86 3. Kelly Brown, Kernersville!

86 5. Frank Smolko!

87 7. Ed McNally, Graham!

88 9. Rus Rilling, Madison!

92 Club at 12 Oaks, Holly Springs Sept. 14 Championship Flight (6 entries) 1. John East, Rockingham!

77 2. David LeVeque, Greensboro!

77 3. Ron Brady, McLeansville!

83 A Flight (16 entries) 7. Don Tabat, Lexington!

87 B Flight (11 entries) 1. Mark Harper, Winston-Salem!

77 C Flight (16 entries) 2. Kelly Brown, Kernersville!

94 4. Shane Kilby, Winston-Salem!

97 16. Ed McNally, Graham!

99 Southern Pines Elks Club • Sept. 10 Championship Flight (5 entries) 1. William Carter, Laurinburg!

71 2. Dan Anthony, Thomasville!

74 A Flight (11 entries) 4. Howard Nemenz, Winston-Salem! 77 B Flight (10 entries) 3. Rob Geilhausen, Linwood!

79 C Flight (12 entries) 4. Bobby Hutchison, Walnut Cove!

87 5. Ed McNally, Graham!

88 6. Rus Rilling, Madison!

89

Club Championships

MEN Pilot Knob Park GC • Sept. 26-27 Anthony Hiatt!

69-67--136 Bobby Wade!

71-73--144 Joey Perkins!

75-70--145 Bradley Davis!

72-75--147 Pudding Ridge GC • Sept. 19-20 Danny Shore!

68-69--137 John Landen!

72-69--141 Michael Spillman!

77-75--152 Robin Benson!

74-78--152

www.triadgolf.com

Tanglewood GC Reynolds Course - Sept. 12 Championship Course - Sept. 13 Mark Absher!

76-72--148 Troy Blamer!

74-75--149 Stephen Dunn!

75-76--151 Chris Blankenship!

76-77--153 Reynolds Park • Sept. 12-13 J.D. Draker!

73-67--140 Jim Kemerling!

74-68--142 Logan Crawford!

72-75--147 Chad Kiger!

75-72--147 Silo Run • Sept. 12-13 Nick Gunnell!

65-68--133 Dylan Ray! 70-68--138 Chris Calloway!

68-73--141 Silo Run Golf Association • Sept. 12 Corey Roberts (won playoff)!

70 Dylan Ray! 70 Forsyth CC • Aug. 28-30 David Fowler!

73-67-70--210 Robert Wooten!

69-74-74--217 Chris Patti!

76-75-72--223 Gray Hinkle!

77-75-78--230

Reynolds Park • Sept. 12-13 Richard Giles!

65-73--138 Mike Roland!

72-73--145 Ed Greene!

74-71--145 Silo Run Golf Association • Sept. 12 Dave Mosley (won playoff)!

Tr i a d71 Robert Hudson!

71 Super Seniors Sam Crawley!

80 Virgil Dodson!

84 Forsyth CC • Aug. 29-30 Gray Hinkle!

77-75--152 Joe Dillon!

78-78--156 Brett Waters!

81-80--161 David Carr!

81-80--161 Super Seniors Bob Moser!

77-76--153 Frank Morris!

79-77--156 Colin Brown!

79-86--165 Jack Ritchie!

79-87--166

High Point CC (Willow Creek) Aug. 28-30 Curtis Brotherton !

74-67-73--214 Wes Keever !

70-78-70--218 Conner Sock !

77-73-68--218 Grady Newton !

70-77-71--218

High Point CC (Willow Creek) Aug. 29-30 Andy Bills!

77-73--150 Moore Councill !

77-74--151 Rick Madden!

77-76--153 Murray White!

75-80--155 Legends James "Bugsy" Brown !

77-74--151 Charles Myers!

81-92--173 Willie Foley ! 91-91--182 Wayne Rutherford !

93-91--184 Tim Ilderton !

100-84--184

Mill Creek GC • Aug. 22-23 Clay Watkins !

74-70--144 Brad Dawson !

71-74--145 Caden Baker !

73-72--145 Brad Deal !

75-73--148

Pine Knolls GC • Aug. 22-23 Arlis Pike !

60-68--128 John Hampton !

69-67--136 Randy Coppedge !

72-71--143 Mike Abernathy !

73-71--144

Pine Knolls GC • Aug. 22-23 Jake Coldfelter !

72-72-71--215 Randy Beeson !

72-73-72--217 Michael Suess !

75-75-73--223 John Hodges !

74-73-78--225 Bermuda Run CC • August Matt Nelson!

Chris Eaton!

Jimmy Eggers!

Zach Sharpe!

215 221 223 225

High Point CC (Emerywood) • July 18 Murray White III !

73 Brookwood GC • June 27-28 Tony Byerly !

66-63--129 Scott Trent!

68-67--135 Christian Hodge!

71-69--140 Southwick GC • May 23-24 Tony Byerly !

67-62--129 Scott Trent !

67-68--135 Adam Hamlett !

69-70--139 Willie Noah !

69-70--139 SENIORS Pilot Knob Park GC • Sept. 26-27 Gordon Jones!

75-75--150 Jim Walser!

79-78--157 Clint Whitman!

81-78--159 Super Seniors Dennis Tuttle!

77 Ron King!

80 Billy Simmons!

83 Tanglewood GC Reynolds Course - Sept. 5 Championship Course - Sept. 6 Todd Brown!

72-73--145 Scott Wearn !

75-72--147 76-71--147 Jim Gress !

Greg Howard !

73-75--148 Silo Run GC • Sept. 12-13 Randy Higgins!

68-72--140 Tony Flippin!

72-73--145 Super Seniors David Hutchins!

71-71--142 Sam Crawley!

80-74--154 Mill Creek GC • Aug. 22-23 David Cheek !

74-74--148 Gary Roberson !

73-81--154 Young Cho !

78-78--156 Jim West !

79-78--157 Super Senior John Taylor !

81-77--158 Larry Kelly !

86-77--163

Bermuda Run CC • August John Nieters!

Jeff Tedder!

Austin McGuire!

Tom Bagby!

Super Seniors Ronnie Grubbs!

Doug Luckett!

Tal Brown!

Peter Schmidt!

The best golfing value ın the Triad!

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• Restored and reshaped greens • Improved tee boxes and sight lines • Refurbished cart paths

Ride & Play NOW OPEN!

$20 Mon.-Fri. $25 Weekends

Open daily 7:30 a.m. - dusk

140 151 153 154 145 161 162 162

Brookwood GC • June 27-28 Art Benton!

77-75--152 Craig Abendschein!

81-80--161 Dean Gerner!

79-84--163 Super Seniors Jerry Joyce!

80-73--153 Walt Byerly!

78-78--156 Monte Isley!

80-77--157 Southwick GC • May 23-24 Bruce Newsome !

74-73--147 Jimmy Foster !

79-83--162 Craig Abendschein !

90-82--172 Super Seniors Barron Walker !

69-71--140 Chester Thorpe !

74-71--145 Tommy Childress !

79-84--163 LADIES Forsyth CC • Sept. 22-23 Mary Ray Hill!

86-87--173 Judy Plonk!

90-87--177 Susan Hauser!

91-88--179 Anna Hayes!

91-96--187 Note: Mary Ray Hill’s 25th club title High Point CC (Willow Creek) Aug. 29-30 Madison Harriman!

84-76--160 E.C. Niebauer!

90-82--172 Donna Moose!

91-96--187 Gina Gilchrist!

108-90--198 Mill Creek GC • Aug. 22-23 Kayla Dowell !

70-73--143 Janice Ward !

87-89--176 Jean Catlin !

90-92--182 Senior Ladies Kathy Cho !

93-77--170 Carolyn Clayton !

99-95--194 Bermuda Run CC • August Melissa Smith!

Katie Kenney!

Pandora Gordon!

Robin Whitley!

186 195 195 204

Winston Lake Golf Course 3535 Winston Lake Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 336-727-2703 winstonlakegolf.com

TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

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I’m moving to the “scoring tees” Bets

By DAVID DROSCHAK

Perfecting golf has nothing to do with yardage

I’m getting old Bets, so I can’t remember By BETSEY MITCHELL the last time I “went low” on a golf course.

Bel Jan recalled the story of a golf pro o many times in days gone by, I had n a recent interview with one of the who recently shot even par from 6,750 some guy grumble about me playing few female golf course architects in yards, and two days later played the same from “way up there.” Dro, you might the game, I asked the veteran designer course from Bel Jen’s scoring tees at 4,060 have been one of them. what she viewed as her biggest accomplishyards. He finished 3-over. “It embarrassed Every time, I invited him to “move on ment. I assumed Jan Bel Jan would pick a him to learn where his weakness was,” she up.” Women with any length off the tee project she worked on with former boss have always known that the true measure and adopted North Carolina son Tom Fazio said.

Couldn’t we all use a hefty dose of of golf skill is the ability to get up-andor one of her stellar Florida renovations golf course management or short-game down from 50 yards. over the last decade after branching out on practice?

It’s a dastardly, difficult her own.

I would watch a PGA situation.

That wasn’t the case Bets as the next or LPGA Tour event from A winning scramble 10 minutes of the interview more than 4,000 yards, wouldn’t you team is made better with a intrigued me.

Bets?

19 handicap woman with Bel Jan explained in great detail the The scoring tees are a honed short game. Get thought process behind her trademarked aimed at being gender her inside 100 yards with a “scoring tees” she has implemented on sev- neutral, age neutral and eral golf courses across the South. Now this skill neutral. More North DUELING DIVOTS long tee shot and she will do the rest. sounded like something I could buy into.

Carolina courses should Just yesterday, I heard a story of a golf She had my ear for sure Bets. look into this as a way to grow the game. course in western North Carolina with a The scoring tees are a course within Bel Jan knows of a group of 20 seniors scorecard reporting a short yardage – and a course, one that measures around 4,000 outside of Naples, Fla., who head to the yards and is aimed at more than just female scoring tees every winter to play nine holes folks thought it was going to be too easy.

What the scorecard didn’t say was that golfers, of which 50 percent have a handiin 90 minutes or less. the majority of the holes had sharp doglegs. cap of 25 or higher. Apparently, these scor“They have fun at it, and by doing this Leave your driver in the bag, boys and don’t ing tees are even used by college coaches it includes the players who are not long miss the fairway.

Those woods are no fun. as a way of helping players developer golf hitters anymore. It becomes a game of I know you have had a trip or two course management, short games and confi- skill,” Bel Jen said. around The Cradle at Pinehurst Resort. dence to “go low.”

Or golf again, right Bets?

S

I

Is It Moving Day For Your Portfolio?

Investing, like golf, presents its challenges. There are hazards as well as opportunities. Making the right choices when you’re ahead of the game is just as important as a good start or a great comeback.

That is 789 yards of pure fun and puzzling madness. Most of the birdie putts are made by accident and that’s OK. I regularly drive by The Cradle. As long as there is daylight there will be folks playing. The only thing that stops them is lightning and darkness.

I remember members grumbling that it was the dumbest idea ever. These same members bring guests young and old every chance they get.

The PGA and LPGA both are stuck in a format that has undermined the psyche of too many golfers. We are bogged down in par, measuring apex, trajectory and carry.

Yes, please. Put the entire field of the FedEx Cup on that mountain course with the fuzzy greens and lumpy bunkers. Let’s see how these wizards do when faced with the challenges of the average daily play golf course.

Let’s have more women golf architects.

Jan Bel Jan has a better grasp of the needs of the regular golfer. She may even be closer to the goals of the venerable Donald Ross than his supposed contemporary disciples.

You know, it’s strange. Golf remains the greatest game ever invented and its perfection has nothing to do with yardage.

You’re on the back nine with a commanding lead. The weather is perfect and you’re lying 2 on the last par 5 — 185 yards from a green heavily protected by bunkers. You can’t afford a double bogey this late in the game.

What’s your strategy?

Nelson M. Kelly, CLU® ChFC®

Senior Director - Investments Branch Manager Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. 380 Knollwood Street • Suite 560 Winston-Salem, NC 27103 (336) 721-7049 • FAX (336) 721-7050 nelson.kelly@opco.com

OPPENHEIMER & CO. INC. TRANSACTS BUSINESS ON ALL PRINCIPAL EXCHANGES AND MEMBER SIPC 2990153.1

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TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

www.triadgolf.com

CALENDAR

CGA Team Events

All listings are based on submissions by clubs and correspondence.

To list your tournament free email your information to jay@triadgolf.com or call 336-924-1619.

Carolinas PGA Selected events; complete schedule at carolinas.pga.com Oct. 20 – Women’s Pro-Pro Championship, Moss Creek GC, Hilton Head Island, SC. Oct. 20-21 – Match Play Championship, Linville GC. Dec. 1-3 – Pro-Pro Championship, Pinehurst area courses.

Carolinas Golf Association Selected events; complete schedule at carolinasgolf.org • 910-673-1000

CGA Seniors/Super Seniors Oct. 6-7 – 9th Carolinas Super Senior Four-Ball, Mount Vintage GC, North Augusta, SC.

CGA Men/Mid-Am Oct. 9-11 – 25th North Carolina Four-Ball, The Cardinal by Pete Dye, Greensboro.

Oct. 19 – 43rd Carolinas Club Championship, Sedgefield CC Ross Course, Greensboro.

CGA Mixed Events Nov. 7-8 – 10th Carolinas Net Amateur, CC of Whispering Pines.

CGA Women Oct. 13-15 – 4th Carolinas Women’s Club Team, River Landing, Wallace.

Oct. 16-17 – 75th Captain’s Putter Team Matches, The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, WV. Nov. 21-22 – 23rd Carolinas Interclub Final Four, course TBA.

Amateur Individual Oct. 31-Nov. 1 – Triad Golf Today Tournament of Champions, Greensboro National, Summerfield, Entry information on page 2 of Triad Golf Today.

Nov. 6-7—Moore County Golf Championship (Open to non-residents), Southern Pines, Contact Robert’s Golf Shop at: 910-944-3633.

Amateur Team Oct. 17-18 – 37th annual Lexington BBQ Festival 2-person teams, Lexington GC. 336-248-3950.

Oct. 17-18 — Southwick 2-Man Fall Invitational, Southwick GC, Graham. Bestball, flighted after first round. 336-227-2582.

Oct. 24-25 – Chatmoss Two-Man Invitational, Chatmoss CC, Martinsville. Medal play in flights. Also senior division. 276-638-7648.

Oct. 31-Nov. 1 – Triad Golf Today Interclub Challenge, Greensboro National, Summerfield, Entry information on page 2 of Triad Golf Today.

Nov. 7-8 – Greensboro National Fall Classic, Greensboro National GC, Summerfield.

2-man bestball. 336-342-1113.

Captain’s Choice Oct. 9 – The Lefty For Life Memorial Tournament to benefit Greensboro Mental Health, Bryan Park, Brown Summit, www.leftyforlife.org/register.

The Best 12 Holes in the Triad!

Inexpensive Prices – Beautiful Views – Family Friendly

Open Year Round Member of the CGA Gangsome every Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Ride & Play 6 holes.................$9 12 holes............ $18 18 holes............ $21

336-940-2790 www.triadgolf.com

Consolidated Junior Events CGA 910-673-1000 * TYGA 910-673-1000 * PKBGT 336-347-8537 * NCJGF 919-858-6400 * TGF 919-291-5813 * NJGT 704-824-6548 * AJGA 770-868-4200 * USGA 908-234-2300 * USKIDS Raleigh Tour 919-206-4666 * Winternational 847-204-9888 * HJGT 904-379-2697 Oct. 10-11 – PKBGT Imperial Classic, Green Valley CC, Greenville, SC, Girls, Ages 11-19.

Oct. 11 – TYGA Sandhills One Day, Pinewild CC, Pinehurst, Boys/Girls, Ages 6-18.

Oct. 17 – NJGA Lake Lure Junior, Rumbling Bald Resort (Bald Mountain), Lake Lure, Boys/Girls Ages 4-18.

Oct. 17 – TYGA Todd Kinlaw Memorial Junior, Brook Valley CC, Greenville, Boys/Girls, Ages 12-18.

Oct. 17-18 – PKBGT Blue Ridge Girls Classic, Bowling Green CC (North), Front Royal, VA, Girls only, Ages 11-19.

Oct. 17-18 – TGF Western Carolinas Junior, Salisbury, CC of Salisbury, Boys only, Ages 9-21.

Oct. 24-25 – PKBGT Colonial Girls Classic, Williamsburg National (Jamestown), Williamsburg, VA, Girls only, Ages 11-19.

Oct. 24-25 – TYGA Triad Bill Harvey Memorial, Bryan Park GC, Greensboro, Boys/Girls, Ages 12-18.

Oct. 31-Nov. 1 – PKBGT Regional Invitational, Ford’s Colony CC, Williamsburg, VA, Girls only, Ages 11-19.

Oct. 31 – NJGA Halloween Junior, Statesville Country Club, Statesville, Boys/Girls Ages 4-18.

Nov. 7-9 – PKBGT Invitational, Bermuda Run CC, Bermuda Run, Girls, Ages 11-19.

Nov. 7-8 – CGA Carolinas Collegiate Showcase, Grandover Resort, Greensboro, Boys/Girls, Ages 18 & under.

Range Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday – 10:00 am to Dusk Saturday – 8:00 am to Dusk • Sunday – 1:00 pm-6:00 pm

(336) 924-9442

For the latest tournament schedule, now updated daily, go to www.triadgolf.com then click on Tournaments Nov. 7-8 – TGF Pinewild Junior, Pinehurst, Pinewild CC, Boys only, Ages 9-22.

Nov. 14-15 – Winternationals Junior Series, Pinehurst CC No. 6, Pinehurst, Boys/Girls, Grades 9-12.

Nov. 15 – NJGA Mint Hill Junior, Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation, Charlotte, Boys/Girls Ages 4-18.

Nov. 21-22 – PKBGT Discovery Invitational, Palmetto Dunes Resort, Hilton Head Island, SC, Girls only, Ages 8-12.

Nov. 21-22 – PKBGT Regional Tournament of Champions, Palmetto Dunes Resort, Hilton Head Island, SC, Girls only, Ages 8-19.

Nov. 25 – TYGA Turkey Shootout, TBD, Pinehurst, Boys/Girls, Ages 8-18.

Nov. 28-29 – CGA Vicki DiSantis Girls’ Championship, Pine Island CC, Charlotte, Girls only, Ages 13-18.

Nov. 28-29 – Winternationals Junior Series, Pinehurst CC No. 8, Pinehurst, Boys/Girls, Grades 9-12.

Dec. 5 – USkids Raleigh Winter Tour; Indian Valley GC Burlington, Ages 5-18. 919-623-3352 Dec. 5-6 – PKBGT National Tournament of Champions, Forest Creek GC, Pinehurst, Girls only, Ages 11-19.

Dec. 12 – NJGA Glen Dornoch Junior, Glen Dornoch Waterway Golf Links, Little River, SC, Boys/Girls Ages 4-18.

Dec. 12 – USkids Raleigh Winter Tour; Lochmere GC, Cary, Ages 5-18. 919-623-3353.

Dec. 12-13 – PKBGT River Landing Classic, River Landing (Landing), Wallace, Girls only, Ages 11-19.

Dec. 12-13 – Winternationals Junior Series, Pinehurst CC No. 2 & No. 1, Pinehurst, Boys/ Girls, Grades 9-12.

Dec. 12-13 – CPGA Kiawah Junior Classic, Cougar Point and Oak Point, Kiawah Island, SC, Boys/Girls. Ages 13-18. 336-398-2742.

Dec. 19-20 – NJGA Holiday Junior, Tanglewood Golf Course (Championship Course), Clemmons, Boys/Girls Ages 4-18.

Dec. 22 – TYGA Toys for Tots, TBD, Boys/Girls, Ages 12-18.

Dec. 28-29 – PKBGT Peggy Kirk Bell Junior, Pine Needles Lodge & GC, Southern Pines, Girls only, Ages 11-19.

Jan. 16-18 – PKBGT Linville Cup @ Mid Pines GC, Southern Pines, Invitation Only.

You’re Covered

From the Sun & Rain.

Old Town School

(Hwy. 67)

Reyolda Rd.

R.A.’s Golf

★

Hwy. 65

Long Creek GC

BethaniaTobaccoville Rd.

2251 US Highway 64 East, Mocksville, NC ColinCreekGolf.com

Oct. 10 – Children’s Charity Golf Classic to benefit the Lamb Foundation of NC, The Preserve at Jordan Lake, Pittsboro. www.kofc6650.org or 919-539-9353.

Oct. 16 – The Pirate Cup benefiting ECU Ricks Management and Insurance Program, Neuse Golf Club, Clayton, Jonathan Nations 336-248-2007.

Oct. 26 – Yadkin Valley Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Bermuda Run CC, Bermuda Run. For additional info contact Doug Luckett at: DTLuckett22@Gmail.com: 571-432-6715.

Dec. 5 – Toys 4 Tots Tournament, Southwick GC, Graham. 336-227-2582.

Located near Long Creek Golf Course & Wake Forest University.

TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

29

U.S. Kids Golf Foundation to relocate to Pinehurst

By PETER STILWELL

T

he U.S. Kids Golf Foundation is relocating its Georgia-based, non-profit foundation to the Home of American Golf in the Village of Pinehurst, according to Dan Van Horn, founder and president of U.S. Kids Golf.

The golf equipment division of U.S. Kids Golf will continue to be headquartered in Georgia.

Pinehurst and the surrounding communities have been the host site for the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship and World Teen Championship for the past 15 years. This prestigious series of championships for kids ages 5-18 has evolved into the world’s largest junior golf championship with an annual field of over 2,100 young golfers from around the world.

“We are very excited to relocate and continue to grow our U.S. Kids Golf Foundation in Pinehurst, which has been the home of our World Championship since 2006,” Van Horn said. “This move presents a wonderful opportunity to be part of the rich history and traditions that this community provides and will allow us the ability to further enhance our mission in growing the great game of golf.”

The U.S. Kids Golf Foundation was formed in 2001 to promote the game of golf to kids around the world and to provide competitive playing opportunities at local, state, national and international levels. Their mission “to help kids have fun learning the lifelong game of golf and encourage family interaction that builds lasting memories” gave birth to two distinct foundation initiatives: Play & Learn and Tournaments.

The U.S. Kids Golf foundation was the first youth golf organization to provide age and gender appropriate course yardage for kids’ golf competitions so that players beginning as early as 5 years old could make pars, birdies, eagles, and even hole-in-ones in tournament play. Additionally, U.S. Kids Golf Foundation mandated the use of caddies for players under 8 years old and encouraged caddies for older players as critical support for the development of young golfers. Parents are provided with the proper education and coaching techniques as they caddie for their kids.

Their U.S. Kids Golf Tournament Division conducts more than 1,600 30

TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

Photo provided by U.S. Kids Golf.

golf tournaments annually around the world, including local events, state and regional championships, international championships, and its World Championships held annually in July and August on 13 different golf courses in the Pinehurst area. U.S. Kids Golf Foundation has more than 25,000 junior golfers as active tournament players.

The Foundation’s Play & Learn initiative, which focuses on providing the best practices for guiding parents to bring their kids into the game, has led to the development of the U.S. Kids Golf Coaches Institute. This multi-tiered division provides unique training and education opportunities for parents, golf instructors, coaches, and kids to learn and teach the game and to maximize the enjoyment the game of golf provides.

To help parents find kid-friendly coaches, the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation created the U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 Award, recognizing the best coaches and teachers for their outstanding abil-

ity to teach the game to kids. Later, they developed a continuing education program for golf professionals to learn and share best practices on instruction that led to the U.S. Kids Golf Certified Coach program. Certified coaches learn to leverage their expertise by incorporating an understanding of club fitting, game-based learning methods, scaled yardages for on-course play and coaching parents on the best ways to engage and motivate their kids while playing golf.

In 2015, the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation purchased Longleaf Golf & Country Club as a “Living Laboratory” for best practices in how a semi-private club can bring more kids and families into the game. The club name was changed to Longleaf Golf & Family Club, and the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation established the first U.S. Golf Academy on the property. The academy currently serves over 600 players from the area and throughout the United States.

“Longleaf has been an outstanding addition to our foundation,” Van Horn said. “Our academy has been very successful in introducing golfers of all ages to the game of golf, and the Longleaf golf course has allowed us the opportunity to enhance our original forward tee program into the Longleaf Tee System. This system has revolutionized the scaling of golf courses and makes the game more enjoyable for players of all skill levels.”

“For the past 15 years, U.S. Kids Golf has generated millions of dollars for our local economy with their World Championships,” added Pat Corso, executive director of Moore County Economic Development. “The successes they have had with Longleaf and their academy presents an excellent model for other golf organizations and businesses to base their operation in our community.”

The future for the U.S. Kid Golf Foundation in Pinehurst is limitless.

They will launch a new travel package division later this year, which will include family golf packages with area resorts and official family golf destinations throughout the United States. The Foundation is expanding its academies to multiple facilities around the country, and the U.S. Kids Golf Coaches Institute has certified more than 1,700 professional golfers and coaches from around the world.

“We couldn’t be happier to see the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation decide to relocate to the Home of American Golf,” said Phil Werz, president and CEO of the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“Golf is the fabric and DNA of our community, and they will be welcomed with open arms by everyone. Their commitment to growing the game of golf is truly inspiring, and we look forward to making them feel at home in our globally-recognized golf destination.”

U.S. Kids Golf, LLC, is based in Atlanta and manufactures equipment and related golf products designed for kids. It was created in 1997 when Van Horn found that his children were losing interest in golf due to not having the proper equipment.

In addition to more than 4,000 golf shops and retail locations in the United States, the company’s products also are available in more than 75 countries worldwide. www.triadgolf.com

WORKING TO RESTORE OUR JOBS & REBUILD OUR STRONG ECONOMY

Elect

Paid for by Sebastian King for NC www.triadgolf.com

TRIAD GOLF TODAY • FALL 2020

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