S.C. golf: A season to remember

The biggest golf story in South Carolina each year seldom has reverberated beyond our borders — let alone several stories. So mark it down: The 2009 season was unprecedented for the impact generated on the golf world by events, or people, from this state.

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With a few notable exceptions - Hootie Johnson's reign at Augusta National being one - the biggest golf story in South Carolina each year has seldom reverberated beyond our borders. Let alone several of those stories.

So mark it down: the 2009 season was all but unprecedented for the impact generated on the golf world by events, or people, from this state.

A major championship won by a native son. The biggest team competition in women's professional golf captained by a native daughter. A near-sweep by home-grown talent of the U.S. Golf Association's two most impactful men's titles; and the state's 40-year PGA Tour tournament threatened by the sagging economy.

And that was just the top four.

Most years, the account of the golf year in South Carolina has ranged between 10 and 15 stories. For 2009, the cut was harder to make than ever, since any of the top four might've topped the list in another year.

It all made for a fascinating and momentous year. Somewhere, Hootie no doubt is smiling.

LUCAS GLOVER WINS U.S. OPEN

The former Clemson All-American, weeks before his 30th birthday, had won one title in five years on the PGA Tour. At Bethpage Black on Long Island, with Phil Mickelson and David Duval on his tail, "Cool Hand Luke" birdied the one hole on Monday he needed in order to lock up his 4-under-par 276 total and hoist the Open trophy as the first native to claim a men's major.

DANIEL CAPTAINS SOLHEIM CUP WINNER

Charleston native and LPGA Hall of Famer Beth Daniel had one final blast before going into TV full-time, as she guided a group of teens and 20-somethings (and 41-year-old Juli Inkster) to victory against the Europeans. The U.S. Solheim team remained unbeaten on home soil, but the pressure was on to maintain that streak. Daniel did so, connecting with her young stars, notably heroine Michelle Wie, for a tear-soaked triumph.

U.S. AMATEUR NEAR-MISS FOR MARTIN

What is it with these Clemson guys? Greenwood native Ben Martin, a senior for the Tigers golf team, rolled through the U.S. Amateur field before picking the worst day imaginable to play poorly against winner Byeong-Hun An. Still, reaching the 36-hole finale, on top of his U.S. Open appearance earlier in the summer, guranteed Martin will not be overlooked during his senior season.

(INSERT SPONSOR) HERITAGE - WHO In 2011?

It's not like Hilton Head Island's annual rite of spring hasn't been down this road before. In 2003, the Heritage, founded in 1969, was prepared to go sponsorless until MCI (later Verizon) stepped in. This time, though, the telecommunications giant's decision not to renew as sponsor after 2010 comes during the worst economics since the 1930s. PGA Tour officials are seeking a replacement, but nervousness remains at Harbour Town.

ONE DOWN, TWO TO GO

The Nationwide Tour Championship made its first of three visits to Charleston's Daniel Island Club in October, launching another class of top-25 money winners toward the PGA Tour in 2010. Local promoters and Nationwide Tour officials alike sang the Rees Jones layout's praises, not to mention the plush clubhouse and solid spectator turnout. Could a permanent home game be in the offing? Stay tuned.

SURVIVING A PRE-MAJOR MISSTEP

Columbia native Dustin Johnson enjoyed a stellar six months on the PGA Tour, winning late in 2008 and early in 2009 to lock up his lifelong-dream Masters invitation. But questions at Augusta National mostly focused on Johnson's wee-hours DUI arrest in Myrtle Beach weeks before his drive down Magnolia Lane. Johnson apologized and said he had learned a valuable lesson. So far since then, so good.

OLD? WHO'S TOO OLD?

Greenville resident Jay Haas wondered as he hit his 55th year if his best days on the Champions Tour were behind him, especially when an aching elbow threatened to derail his season. But a cortisone shot and a week off set the stage for two wins, including the Senior Players Championship, his third major title. Not bad for a senior citizen.

BRING ON THE EUROPEAN RYDER CUP GUYS

Haas' accomplishments were even more impressive considering his role as assistant to captain Fred Couples on the U.S. Presidents Cup team, which ran its record vs. the non-European International team to 6-1-1 with a romp against Greg Norman's squad. Haas' only slip? Having campaigned for Glover as a captain's pick, he saw the U.S. Open winner go 0-3-1. Otherwise, another home run for "J-Bird."

BACK IN THE (PGA TOUR) SADDLE AGAIN

The last time former Clemson player Kevin Johnson played on the PGA Tour, 9/11 and President George Bush were new realities. Eight years later, the Nationwide Tour "lifer" is headed back to the big time, courtesy of two tournament victories in a three-week span and a top-25 finish on the Nationwide Tour's money list. Johnson is 42, but eager for a second "rookie" season.

PUGGY'S PUPIL TURNS BACK CLOCK

OK, so it was only one week, but the revival of David Duval as a contender at the U.S. Open put a peripheral spotlight on his long-time coach and friend, USC director of golf Puggy Blackmon. The Hampton native spent a wet and draining four days watching his former Georgia Tech player perform as if it was 1999, when he was at or near the top of the PGA Tour. Puggy looked younger, too.

KIAWAH BACK IN NATIONAL PICTURE

The Tom Watson-designed Cassique Course at Kiawah Island Club played host for a week to the nation's best "real" amateurs at the U.S. Mid-Amateur, won by 31-year-old Nathan Smith. With the U.S. Amateur the province of collegiate "pros-in-training," the Mid-Am gives every weekend player hope of competing - and, for the winner, a trip to Augusta National for the next year's Masters.

WILD DUNES' 18TH BACK IN BUSINESS

Erosion on Isle of Palms' north end had so devastated this Tom Fazio gem's finishing hole it had been reconfigured as a par-3 after beginning life as a par-5. Local officials cleared a bunch of environmental hurdles, millions of yards of sand were dredged from the ocean floor, and Fazio's crews restored the hole - then improved it. It is a finish worth the 17-hole wait.

AUSSIES IN THE UPSTATE

The Cliffs Communities, which house golf courses by some of the world's top architectural names - and will add Tiger Woods' first North American design in 2011 or 2012 - now can help players improve their game. The International Institute of Golf (IIG), opened at The Cliffs at Keowee Springs near Six Mile, offers state-of-the-art instruction from the Australian teachers who made Geoff Ogilvy a U.S. Open winner.

DR. MO'S "HAT TRICK"

Until 2007, Orangeburg native and sports psychologist Morris "Dr. Mo" Pickens was helping former Clemson players and their friends with the mental side of golf. Then Masters champion Zach Johnson credited the Sea Island-based "head coach" with a winning strategy at Augusta. In 2009, wins by clients Glover and British Open winner Stewart Cink brought Pickens to three-quarters of a "Psychological Grand Slam."

FAREWELL TO "BEST GOLF DAD"

Jim Byrd reveled in the successes of his sons: former Clemson All-American Jonathan Byrd, the most recent U.S. player with three PGA Tour wins before age 30, and Clemson assistant coach Jordan Byrd. Even as he was dying from a brain tumor, the elder Byrd was an inspiration to his offspring and friends. His funeral in July brought out a who's who of admirers for one final, fitting tribute to the head of a great golf family.

This story was originally published November 8, 2009 at 12:00 AM with the headline "S.C. golf: A season to remember."