Junior golfers get special experience in Myrtle Beach
The organizers – and especially the player whose name graces the event – wanted to create a special experience for junior golfers, and they succeeded last weekend.
“We wanted a ‘Wow!’ factor, and the responses we received from players and parents are that we did,” said Jeff Monday in reviewing the inaugural Dustin Johnson World Junior Championship at TPC Myrtle Beach.
The players, from 12 states and eight countries, found an atmosphere often found at high-level pro tour events that included their names on lockers, gift packages, ID placards on the driving range, on-course signage, scorekeepers walking with each group and scoreboards. They played on a Tom Fazio-designed layout, whose winners include Tom Watson in the 2000 PGA Senior Tour Championship.
“The tournament had the feel of a big-time pro tournament,” said Monday, tournament director for Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, one of the primary sponsors.
Johnson, the Irmo native who played at Coastal Carolina and has a golf school at TPC Myrtle Beach, joined the Founders Group International, which operates 22 courses along the Grand Strand, and Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday in sponsoring the 54-hole tournament.
“Dustin wanted to make the tournament memorable for the youngsters, and he wanted to make sure the top South Carolina players would be invited,” Allen Terrell, who heads the Dustin Johnson Golf School, said. “We had a huge amount of support, and that came through to the players and parents.”
Preparations for the tournament began last fall. Monday credited the South Carolina Junior Golf Association for helping with eligibility and securing players, and he saluted the volunteers – 60 or more each day – who provided assistance.
“Dustin has been a great ambassador for junior golf and the SCJGA,” Chris Miller, who heads the SCJGA. “Having his input and support is invaluable.”
Johnson, who competed at Pebble Beach last weekend and couldn’t attend, is No. 8 in the world golf rankings.
The weather, with temperatures struggling to pass 40 degrees for two days and rain during the third round, provided the only downer, and Monday noted, “Anytime you play (a tournament) in February is a toss-up with the weather.”
Chip shots
USC’s women’s team opened the spring season with a second-place finish in the Florida State Match-Up. In individual competition, Katelyn Dambaugh tied second, Sarah Schmelzel placed fourth and Ainhoa Olarra shared eighth. . . . Clemson’s women finished 16th in the Lady Puerto Rico Classic, their first spring tourney. Lauren Stephenson (Lexington) and Jessica Hoang (North Augusta) tied for 34th to lead the Tigers. … Nick Wills (Spartanburg) has been named recipient of the CGA’s David Parrott Award, which is given to the Carolinas Team player who displays excellence in sportsmanship, ability and academics. … Blake Taylor (Atkinson, N.C.) won the boys’ division and Delaney Shah (North Potomac, Md.) captured the girls’ title in the inaugural Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship. … Division winners in the SCGA’s Tournament of Champions at the Tradition Club at Pawleys Island: Wade Ramsey (York, men’s club), Mike Gravley (Greer, Sennor Men’s Club), Makalyn Poole (Williamston, Women), Justin Butler (Greer, One-Day Gross), Les Bradstreet (Columbia, One-Day Net) and Mike Minyard (Simpsonville, One-Day Senior). … Clemson men start their spring season Sunday in the Puerto Rico Classic with a lineup of seniors Stephen Behr, Miller Capps, Cody Proveaux (Pelion), as well as juniors Austin Langdale and Carson Young.
This story was originally published February 20, 2016 at 5:13 PM with the headline "Junior golfers get special experience in Myrtle Beach."