Great PR for the South Carolina Junior Golf Program!

[Michael Whitaker]

The Wells Fargo Championship turned into the SC Open this weekend with Lucas Glover, Jonathan Byrd and Bill Haas leading the way. In addition, the Clemson Tigers finished #1 and #2!

Very exciting stuff for those of us who have seen these guys come up through the ranks of the SC Junior Golf Association!!!

[Scott Warren]

Mike,

I thought of you when Byrd canned his 15-footer at 18 and the commentator said "we got a playoff... welcome to the Clemson invitational!".

[Michael Whitaker]

I know, Scott... Mike Sweeney sent me an email saying he thought he was watching our Clemson Fund raiser, the Tiger Golf Gathering.


 

[Scott Warren]

I didn't notice either guy had the paw print on his ball. You'll have to hook them up!

[Keith OHalloran]

Michael,
This was a cool event. Last year, I had the pleasure of meeting and playing with DJ Trahan. He was a great guy and I find myself rooting for a Clemson Tiger, even though I graduated from Wake Forest.

[Mike Sweeney]

Mike W

I would be curious to hear your thoughts on what/how SC Jr Golf does best. Do you guys find talent early, separate them and bring them along in a smaller group or do you simply create great access for all players and great competitive atmosphere?

Byrd and Glover certainly seemed genuinely close, but I also got the feeling that they wanted to and were very comfortable going at each other. I often think that element is missing from today's competitive sports scene in many Jr sports.

Along with the Ernie Els players from South Africa, you guys must be doing something right.

[Michael Whitaker]

Michael,
This was a cool event. Last year, I had the pleasure of meeting and playing with DJ Trahan. He was a great guy and I find myself rooting for a Clemson Tiger, even though I graduated from Wake Forest.

Keith,

We've got quite a few Tigers on the tours this year:

Jonathan Byrd
PGA

Lucas Glover
PGA

Ben Martin
PGA

Sam Saunders
PGA

Kyle Stanley
PGA

DJ Trahan
PGA

Charles Warren
PGA

Tommy Biershenk
Nationwide

Brent DelaHoussaye
Nationwide

Brian Duncan
Nationwide

Kevin Johnson
Nationwide

Stephen Poole
Nationwide   

Phillip Mollica
European   

Michael Hoey
European

[Michael Whitaker]

Mike W

I would be curious to hear your thoughts on what/how SC Jr Golf does best. Do you guys find talent early, separate them and bring them along in a smaller group or do you simply create great access for all players and great competitive atmosphere?

Byrd and Glover certainly seemed genuinely close, but I also got the feeling that they wanted to and were very comfortable going at each other. I often think that element is missing from today's competitive sports scene in many Jr sports.

Along with the Ernie Els players from South Africa, you guys must be doing something right.

Mike,

I don't think we do anything special that isn't offered in other programs. We were blessed with a generation of good players who stayed with golf instead of moving to other sports.

Over 3000 kids participate in our program statewide and there is something for every level of player... from the recreational player who will never be more than a 15 handicap to the elite player who may win the US Open some day.

The highly skilled golfers are provided a tremendous schedule of events in which to compete, so most don't have to travel great distances or spend tremendous amounts of money to hone their tournament game. But, I don't think that is too different from most state associations with a large golfing population.

[Mark Pearce]

Mike,

I thought of you when the starter introduced Bill Haas as being from Greenville, South Carolina!

[Michael Whitaker]

Mike,

I thought of you when the starter introduced Bill Haas as being from Greenville, South Carolina!

Mark,

Bill grew up in a house on the Green Valley Country Club course in Greenville. The club, which has fallen on hard times, has gone public and is up for auction by the bank. Sad.

Bill just married one of my niece's best friends. My niece was a bridesmaid in the wedding. There was a lot of excitement in our family this weekend pulling for our local boys!