If the first days foretell the future, the Rounds4Research auction will be an overwhelming success.
The online program, started by the Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association, allows golfers to bid for tee times at some of the most exclusive courses in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and Texas. Proceeds benefit turfgrass research.
"We had a fantastic start," said Jeff Connell, superintendent at Fort Jackson Golf Club and president of the group. "The auction started Wednesday and we had $25,000 in bids the first day. We had 16,000 Google hits the day before we started and more than 400,000 since the auction started.
"We had about $50,000 in bids with an hour and a half to go last year and had $30,000 bid in the remaining time. That tells us the bidding will increase later in the auction."
More than 1,100 tee times at more than 700 courses are available at rounds4research.com.
"We're excited," Connell said. "We have places such as Dallas Country Club, East Lake in Atlanta (site of the Tour Championship), The Homestead in Virginia, Pinehurst . . . just so many fabulous courses."
There also is a tee time at a "mystery course in Georgia," which the press release says is "home to multiple major championships."
In addition to the superintendents who coordinate the auction, the project has the backing of respective state golf associations, PGA sections and club owners.
"Having all the associations pulling together and working together is great for golf overall," Connell said. "We're speaking with one voice."
Among courses in South Carolina that offer tee times are Harbour Town and Long Cove at Hilton Head, The Ocean Course and Cassique at Kiawah Island and Yeamans Hall in Hanahan.
The auction continues through April 21.
Heritage update. Barring last-minute withdrawals, the Verizon Heritage will have one of its strongest fields this week at Harbour Town.
Commitments from Camilo Villegas, Ian Poulter and J.B. Holmes boosted a field that already included Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk, Sergio Garcia, Mike Weir, Paul Casey and K.J. Choi. Lucas Glover, Stewart Cink and winners of the past three Heritages - Brian Gay (2009) and Boo Weekley (2007, '08) - also will compete.
In addition to practice rounds, the schedule includes opening ceremonies on Monday and pro-ams on Monday and Wednesday. The 72-hole event begins Thursday. In addition, a church service will be held Sunday at 7 a.m. on the 18th green.
For tickets, call (843) 671-2448 or visit verizonheritage.com.
Legends to team up. Fans who crave more golf after the Masters and the Verizon Heritage can fill the bill at the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf, a Champions Tour event, in Savannah April 19-25.
The field will include 15 former Masters champions, including Fred Couples and Tom Watson. Couples will team with Jay Haas and Watson with Andy North.
Officials have confirmed that amputee Ken Green will team with Mike Reid in his return to golf. The event will be Green's first since sustaining injuries that led to amputation of his lower right leg in a June traffic accident.
For information, call 888-401-8000 or visit www.lmlog.com.
Chip shots. South Carolina is ninth in Golfweek's college rankings. Clemson is 15th in the ratings. ... Columbia's Spring Valley Country Club celebrates its 50th anniversary in May. ... Davis Love III, Rocco Mediate and Nick Watney are the latest players to commit to the Quail Hollow Championship April 29-May 2 in Charlotte.
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MONDAY: SCJGA Monday After the Masters Pro-Am, Barefoot Resort, Myrtle Beach. Contact: SCGA, (803) 732-9311
MONDAY: CGA Carolinas Pro-Amateur Club Championship, Forest Oaks CC, Greensboro, N.C. Contact: CGA, (910) 673-1000
TUESDAY: WSCGA One-Day Four-Ball, Saluda Valley, Williamston. Contact: WSCGA, (843) 757-4653
TUESDAY: WSCGA One-Day, Camden CC. Contact: WSCGA, (843) 757-4653
TUESDAY: WSCGA One-Day Four-Ball, Wedgefield Plantation, Georgetown. Contact: WSCGA, (843) 757-4653
WEDNESDAY: SCGA Pro-Am, CC of Lexington. Contact: SCGA, (803)732-9311
THURSDAY: SCGA Senior One-Day, Fort Jackson GC, Columbia. Contact: SCGA, (803)732-9311
FRIDAY-APRIL 18: CGA Carolinas Mid-Amateur Championship, Furman University GC, Greenville. Contact: CGA, (910) 673-1000
SATURDAY: SCGA One-Day, Carolina Lakes GC, Shaw AFB, Sumter. Contact: SCGA, (803)732-9311
SATURDAY: AJGT Junior Event, Brookstone Golf & CC , Anderson, SC, Boys/Girls, Ages 8-18, 704-540-9455
SATURDAY-APRIL 18: HJGT Junior Event, Cobbs Glen CC, Anderson. Contact: HJGT, (904) 379-2697
APRIL 18: SCGA One-Day, Anderson CC. Contact: SCGA, (803)732-9311
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