Local golf notes: S.C. summer loaded with top junior tourneys

Competition has helped make South Carolina’s junior program the envy of the nation, and more top-grade tournaments will be available this summer.

In addition to the S.C. Junior Golf Association’s events, the Midlands Junior Golf Tour will feature the SCShops.com Summer Major Series with tournaments at the Patriot GL in Greenwood, Columbia CC, Columbia’s WildeWood CC and the Daniel Island Club’s Beresford Course. Champions advance to the Grand Slam finale at the Ocean Course on Kiawah Island, and points leaders will compete in Ryder Cup-type competition at Musgrove Mill GC in Clinton.

The idea started with PGA professional Tom Mason, owner of ParTee Driving Range, and Jeff Connell, superintendent at Fort Jackson Golf Club, and quickly picked up steam. Chip Prezioso, who grew up in the state’s junior golf program and owns the South Carolina Shop, agreed to become a main sponsor.

“The South Carolina Junior Golf Association does a fabulous job and we believe this will complement their outstanding program,” Prezioso said. “These tournaments will be wonderful for youngsters.”

Joining Mason in overseeing the Summer Major Series will be Steven Hartwig, assistant pro at the CC of Lexington, Andrew Itterly, apprentice assistant pro at ParTee, and Robbie Prichard, assistant pro at Columbia CC.

The one-day tournaments will include four divisions, ages 11-13 for boys and girls and 14-18 for boys and girls.

“The courses will be set up fair, but they will provide the players with a test of playing at high school yardages,” Mason said. “Our goal is to add more competition for youngsters, and it’s an opportunity to play some of the state’s best courses. The people at the courses we will play have embraced the idea, and we’re expecting good response and excellent competition.”

Tournament dates and sites: Junior Masters, June 16, the Patriot; Junior U.S. Open, July 9, Columbia CC; Junior British Open, July 28, WildeWood; Junior PGA, Aug. 11, Daniel Island; Grand Slam, Ocean Course, Sept. 5 (tentative); and Ryder Cup, Musgrove Mill, Sept. 27.

For information contact Mason at (803) 796-5900 or tamason7272(at)gmail- .com. Also see the Midlands Junior Golf Tour link at parteegolfsc.com.

RBC Heritage notesThe SCGA invites fans attending the RBC Heritage to visit the organization’s tent alongside the 18th tee at Harbour Town. Hours: 9:30 a.m.-end of play Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m.-end of play Saturday and Sunday. ... Reminder: the Heritage features a new parking plan with no general spectator parking inside Sea Pines. Complimentary parking for general spectators will be at the Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, on the north end of Hilton Head Island. Shuttle service begins daily at 6 a.m.

Girls Golf DayThe City of Columbia will celebrate Girls Golf Day on Saturday at the James Clyburn Golf Center to help start its girls’ program, a national initiative administered through a partnership between the LPGA Foundation and the USGA. The event runs 1-4 p.m. at the golf center on Slighs Avenue off the Harden Street Extension.

Registration for the free event open to girls ages 5-17 ends Wednesday. The program will feature coaching from collegiate and professional women golfers. Coaches include Chris Brady Wolfe (LPGA player), Brenda McLarnon (Future’s tour player) and Ashley Prange (LPGA player), all of whom have appeared on The Big Break program, as well as members of Columbia College’s team.

For information or to register, call the golf center at (803) 255-8920 or visit TheFirstTeeColumbia.org and click on the “Girls Golf Day” link.

Chip shotsCamden Country Club will stage the CGA’s Carolinas Four-Ball Championship on May 6-10. Matthew Crenshaw and Jonathan Jackson teamed to win the title a year ago. ... Auburn freshman Kelli Murphy (Lugoff-Elgin) shot a final-round 69 and finished second in the Bryan National Collegiate at Greensboro, N.C.

This story was originally published April 11, 2015 at 10:51 PM with the headline "Local golf notes: S.C. summer loaded with top junior tourneys."