100 golf holes in one day quite an endurance test for SC group, but it’s for good cause

Anyone who decides to play 100 holes of golf in one day — walking, of course — should hydrate in advance, reduce the number of clubs to perhaps five, have extra shoes and socks on hand, take along plenty to eat, choose a cool day, select a flat layout and play the forward tees.

That advice comes compliments of the South Carolina Golf Association’s fearless foursome that has experience in this taxing endeavor and — believe it or not — plans for an encore.

Obvious question: Why?

Great answer: To raise funds for the Youth on Course program that allows youngsters ages 6-18 to play on participating courses for $5 per round.

Their names are Kyle Maloney, Kirk Page, Joe Quick and Justin Fleming, and these members of the SCGA staff will test their endurance on Wednesday (Oct. 13) over the Plantation Course at Edisto Beach. Their expedition is a version of the YOC program’s fund-raiser called the “Hundred Hole Hike.”

The same crew tackled the same course in 2019, and the only drawback came from falling short of the $10,000 goal. No problem this time: They already have pledges of more than 10K — and they want to increase the total.

“A great experience for a great program,” said Quick, director of development for the South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation. “The Youth on Course program focuses on introducing young people to the game.”

They will tee off “at first light and we’re hoping for a cooler day,” Quick said. “In 2019, we had a 90-degree day with high humidity that made the temperature seem like 100 or more.”

Quick remembers getting dehydrated around hole 85 and, he said, “I locked up. I couldn’t even hold a club.” But after a brief respite, “I couldn’t let (playing partner) Justin go it alone and I got back out there.”

One guarantee, he said: “By the end, we’ll be so tired we’re hitting a 7 iron about 80 yards.”

Fleming, senior director of the South Carolina Junior Golf Association, offers this advice for those who want to take the endurance test: “Hydrate well in advance and have plenty to eat.”

“I work out and I’m in good shape, but I learned in 2019 to eat during play,” he said. “You’ve got to eat to keep your blood sugar up” at the proper levels.

A scouting report finds Maloney, the SCGA director of competition, and Fleming are the best golfers with Page, SCGA director of operations, not far behind. Quick calls himself a 16-handicap “who is happy to break 90.”

In the 2019 marathon, Fleming set a goal of 20 birdies in his 100 holes, and, he said: “I didn’t make but 15. That’s my only disappointment.”

For those who want to burn a few extra calories, this walking 100-holes-in-a-day is the way, Quick said.

“My Fitbit statistics had me at 60,550 steps, 27.32 miles and using more than 7,000 calories,” he reported.

The players will reduce their club selection to the bare minimum, perhaps a 3-wood or hybrid, a mid-iron, a wedge and a putter. They need to hole out on each hole.

Oh, yeah ... if playing a layout like the Plantation Course, make sure to bring a generous supply of balls. There’s water in play on almost every hole.

Quick has recovered from injuries suffered in a fall earlier this year and decided to participate despite advice to the contrary from his wife.

“She told me, ‘You’re an idiot,’ ” he said, “but this is such a great cause that I wanted to be part of it.”

To donate, go online to the SCGA’s website, www.scgolf.org.

Chip shots. After dominating an elite field in the season’s first tournament and moving to No. 1 nationally in the coaches’ rankings, South Carolina’s women needed strong final round to earn a sixth-place finish in the Windy City Collegiate in Wilmette, Illinois. ... Clemson’s men’s team set multiple school records in their first outing of the 2021-22 season, but the Tigers struggled in the Colonial Collegiate in Fort Worth, Texas and finished 14th in one of the strongest tournaments of the year. ... Christian Sease (Greenville) fired a final-round 64 to charge from behind and win the SCGA’s Mid-Amateur championship at Green Valley CC in Greenville.