DECVOL 23

No. 9

FREEThe Stan Olenik’s

Golf News for Carolina Golferswww.scgolfclub.com

@TheGolfClubSCFollow Us On

Palmetto State College Teams Load Up!

Virginia TechAuburn

Email Tour Director Jimmy Turner at upstate@gcamtour.com for special savings if you sign up before Dec. 31st

Join before Dec 31st and Save!

Reg $199.99Sign up Now!

Special $129.99See Schedule on Page 6

Clemson

DocRedman

CalebProveaux

S. Carolina

TrevorPhillips

GeorgiaFurman

NatalieSrinivasan

Anderson

KateHill

VictoriaHuskey

Charleston

HaileyCleary

Limestone

ChristianSalzer

NC State

The Golf ClubPage 2 December 2015

Follow Us On Like Us On

Is Now Available For Free Pick Up At

The

In Magnolia ParkWoodruff Rd, Greenville

The Palmetto Membership includes unlimited playing privileges at all 6 facilities. Family Dues $135/month, Senior-Junior Dues $125/month

The Crescent Membership lets you choose your Home Club for Primary Membership. Family Dues $110/month, Senior-Junior Dues $100/monthCall any of the clubs for details on this great membership opportunity

We Are ALL ABOUT GOLF www.golfaag.com

Play 5 courses for the price of 1!

(864) 964-9966(864) 646-3991

Highway 76 Pendleton

(864) 878-6083

Hgwy 8 - Country Club Rd. Pickens

Highway 81 on Scotts Branch Rd.

Anderson

Woodhaven Golf Club Pendleton (864) 646-9511 (864) 226-7688

Old Williamston RdAnderson

Highway 11 - 1308 Falcons DriveWalhalla, 29691

(864) 638-0000

The Best Membership Value In The Upstate!

Bent Grass Greens - Lighted CourseHole Length” 85 yds to 180yds - Rental Clubs & Pull Carts Available

864-233-6336 www.crosswinds-golf.com 61 Villa Rd - Greenville

From I-385 take Exit 40 A Pleasantburg Dr. Take first right (Villa Rd) In font of Olive Tree RestaurantTravel approx 1/10th mile Course is on your left Visible from I-385 towards Greenville

“I’ve played Par-3 courses all over the world . This is the finest course I have played.” Craig Perks, 2002 Players Champion & Golf Channel broadcaster.

Now offering great group outings for companies or civic groups!

Daytime or Evenings!Complete outing services available, golf, food and refreshments.

Play Saturday Mornings and be home for Football!Play from Noon - 5 PM Saturdays $15 for 18 holes, $10 for 9 holes!

Everyday Rates Weekday Junior and Senior Rates18 Holes 9 Holes $14.75 $9.00

18 Holes 9 Holes $18.00 $11.50

Your 20165 Golf Passport Is Here!

The Creek -Greer CCLinks O’Tryon - River Falls

Village Greens -Willow CreekWoodfin Ridge - Meadowbrook

Cherokee National * Cart rental required

Passport Valid Jan 1, 2016 to Dec 31, 2016 Passport is nontransferable

$60.00

Proceeds benefit The First Tee of Spartanburg teaching

character development through the lifetime sport of golf.

To order your Passport visitwww.TheFirstTeeSpartanburg.orgor at Participating Golf Courses

Play 2 rounds at each of nine courses

Purchase a passport to great golf values and help support the First Tee

The Golf ClubDecember 2015 Page 3

The Golf Clubis published monthly

by the Palmetto Sports Network,LLC

Founded April 1992

167 S. Fairview Ave.Spartanburg, SC 29302

Stan Olenik Editor/PublisherThe Golf Club

(864) 573-7627 golfclubsc@gmail.com

The material contained in this publication may not be reproduced

without the written consent of the publisher. All rights reserved.

Any comments, questions, suggestions or inquires concerning advertising

should be addressed to The Golf Club.

The Golf Club would like your tournament results, story ideas, upcoming events and golf news.

The Golf Club is free and available at over 70 locations in the Upstate

and Western North Carolina

Like us atthegolfclubsc

follow us at thegolfclubsc

www.scgolfclub.com

Palmetto Club wins Lathrop Cup

The home team won the Lathrop Cup at the Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken.

The annual tournament is a team event featuring a PGA professional and three amateurs over the age of 55.

The team of amateurs Michael Carl-isle, Jimmy Hamilton and Jim Wise.

The winning team shot a 220 total to win by five shots. The same team also won the Lathrop Pro-Am with the help of club pro Brooks Blackburn.

Spidell and Jones win CGA Net titles

Chrissie Spidell of Anderson won the CGA Women’s Net Championship at Pinehurst.

Spidell shot rounds of 71 and 73 on Pinehurst #1 to win the women’s champion-ship by four shots.

Mary Jones of Simpsonville won the senior women’s title at the same tourna-ment.

Jones shot identical rounds of 72 for a 144 total and a two shot victory. Leah Bohnen if Inman finished in third place.

The Carolinas Net Amateur Champi-onship was played at net stroke play using 100% of players course handicaps.

Phillips wins Player of the YearBoiling Springs golfer wins SCJGA Haas Junior Award

Trent Phillips of Inman wrapped up a terrific junior golf season with a victory at the SCJGA Players Championship. The win locked up the SCGA Jay Haas boys player of the year award for the Boiling Springs High School golfer.

During the season Phillips not only won the state AAAA high school indi-vidual title, but also the Grant Bennett championship.

He qualified for and made the round of 32 at the US Junior Amateur. When he led the first round of the SCGA Amateur at Chanticleer last July, he became the youngest player ever to lead the champi-onship.

Phillips will receive the Player of the Year award from Jay Haas later this month at Thornblade Club in Greer.

First Tee Passport now on sale for 2016

The First Tee 2016 Golf Passport is now available. The Passport has been a fundraising effort of The First Tee of Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties.

The Passport allows golfers to play two rounds of golf at nine area golf courses.

The cost of the Passport is $60. Golfers using the passport are required to rent a cart at the participating courses to play their rounds.

The First Tee of Spartanburg & Cherokee Counties teaches character edu-cation through golf.

The Passport is valid from January 1 to December 31, 2016.

Passports can be purchased at www.thefirstteespartanburg.org or at participat-ing golf courses.

Czarneki wins George Holiday title

Mauldin’s Ashley Czarnecki won her fourth title of the year with a five shot vic-tory at the George Holiday Memorial in Myrtle Beach. Czarnecki topped Gracyn Burgess for the win.

Christmas Captains Choice, Dec 16th, Noon

Tournament and Corporate Outings - Banquet Facilities - Practice Facility

Golf Lessons and Clinics - Professional Club Fitting Memberships Available

864-433-9192 101 Player Blvd Duncan 29334Conveniently located between Greenville & Spartanburg www.riverfallsgolf.com

Pro Shop - Driving Range - Practice Green

Special rates do not apply to coupons. All Rates Plus TaxMonday Madness$26 Any Player

$32 Weekdays $42 Weekends18 holes, cart & tax

Gramling, SC 10 Minutes from I-26 on Hwy 176

Cory McEwen PGA Golf Professional

www.villagegreens.net

Toll Free 877-472-2411 864-472-2411

$26 Seniors Monday - FridayAll Rates Include Cart & Tax

Seniors

Now Join Two Great Golf Clubs for One Great Price!River Falls Plantation and Village Greens Golf Club have teamed up to offer a special combined club membership! Details are available at both golf shops!

Sunday Buffet @ Sully’s 10:30 AM till 2:00 PM

Golf Instruction Available

Travis Simcheck1 Hour $501/2 Hour $30

Please Call For Appointment

Now is a great time to plan your fall outings. Call for available dates!

Weekend Twilight $35 After 12 PM

THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT! Player Card - Prepaid Rounds 10 rounds for $320

On sale until 12/31/15 & valid until 12/31/16Can used anytime by anyone

Individual entries will be placed in three man teams (A-B-C) by a computer draw.Call the Golf Shop to Sign Up!

The Golf ClubPage 4 December 2015

Pebble Creek gets a new “old” lookPebble Creek owner Lyn Young (left) has been changing the look of his course by creating a rustic old time look to the bunkers. Young has redesigned the bunkers on the original 18 holes and is in the process of reconstructing the other bunkers on the course during the fall and winter.

Bunker remodeling creates a classic look at the course.

Golf course superintendents think of their courses as a canvas. Just like a painter, they are creating a visual image for golfers to go along with outstanding playing condi-tions for golfers to enjoy.

Lyn Young has been working on his canvas at Pebble Creek Country Club in Taylors.

Young is the owner and with his background in golf course construction and maintenance, he has been changing the look at the course.

His latest project has been to rebuild the bunkers on the course. The remodeling that he has done takes golfers back to the classic look of old time courses.

The owner has been hands on during the remodeling, climbing into the driver’s seat of a back hoe and other equipment,

“Bunkers create a visual frame for a hole and often are the part of the course that is remembered,” said Young. “They also provide golfers with help on how to play a

hole and sometimes help them actually stay our of trouble,” he said.

Over the last few years, Young has vis-ited a number of famous courses and often played them to get a feel for their designs.

“I have been to many different styles of courses and have picked up a number of ideas to make Pebble Creek better,” he said.

The bunkering at many of these cours-es often caught his attention as he played golf around the country.

“Whistling Straights is a great example of how bunkers add to the character of the course. When I saw what they had done there it gave me a good idea of what I could do at Pebble Creek,” he said.

Young is a little more than half way through his bunker remodeling. He has had

a crew dedicated to the project for a couple of months and will continue to work as long as the weather permits.

“When Pinehurst went rustic for the Open a few years ago it got a lot of golf course owners thinking about making changes,” said Young.

Pinehurst laid out a road map for golf courses to be more concerned about water and chemical usage. The effort at #2 showed the golf world that every course did not have to have every inch of the course manicured and perfectly green.

“They used many types of native grasses and wire grass to bring the course back to its historic roots. I don’t have the same kind of options here, but I was able to incorporate some of the elements into our

bunkers,” said Young.While reshaping the bunkers and

adding character to them with turf and grasses around them, Young also added some design elements to make them easier to maintain.

“One of the problems all golf courses have with their bunkers is after heavy rain they are washed out. It takes a crew to go out and move the sand around and get the bunkers in shape for play,” said the Pebble Creek owner.

An important part of the project has been to make the bunkers able to withstand heavy rain. Young has redesigned the way water flows off and around the greens.

He has also added turf to the top walls of bunkers to minimize the wash out effect.

When the project is completed golfers will see a very different looking course.

Guests and members have praised the remodeling and believe it gives a modern course the old time feel that is so popular in golf these days.

“I like the idea of adding these features to take the course to the next level. Pebble Creek will really stand out in the area and I’m happy with what we have done,” concluded Young.

5451 S Pine St. Spartanburg, 29302 Tee Times & Info

864-582-7579

New SpecialWinter Rates

Weekdays18 holes $26.00

Twilight after 1 $21.00

Senior Rate $23.00

Weekends18 holes $29.00Twilight $24.00

Sr. Players Card $19.00 anytime!

The Golf ClubDecember 2015 Page 5

Thornblade Club’s history now in printClub celebrates 25th anniversary with a commemorative book

Thornblade Director of Golf Jay Haas and author Grant Burns helped the club celebrate the arrival of the book chronicling the first 25 years of Thornblade Club. The Champions Tour star helped with the designing of the course and the mission of the club. Tom Marzolf of the Fazio Design Team (top-left) was instrumental in the design of the course. Haas and the club have made major contributions to the Upstate. The Thornblade Classic (lower left) raised almost $2 million for local charities. Joe Jelks, Irv Welling and Champ Covington (top-right) were the driving force behind the development of the club and the Thonblade community. The Club has hosted numerous local, state and national tournaments including the BMW Charity Pro-Am (bottom-right).

Jay Haas has played at the greatest golf clubs in the world. During his nearly 40 years as a PGA Tour player he has de-veloped a well founded opinion on what makes a club great.

“It is not how fast the greens are, or how long the course is, or how big was the clubhouse, it is about who you played with,” said Haas.

The Thornblade resident believes that the club he has been associated with for the last 25 years has achieved that status because of the members.

“It is a great club and that goes for the golf, pool and tennis, but it is the members who really make Thornblade great,” he

said. This year Thornblade is celebrating its

Silver Anniversary. The course opened fro play on March 31, 1990.

As part of the year long celebration, the club commissioned a history book on the first 25 years of the club.

“Thornblade, The First 25 Years” is a collection of history, stories and pictures.

It carries the reader through the prog-ress of the club from an idea of four golfing buddies to one of the premier country clubs in the southeast.

Club member Grant Burns authored the book, which is now available at the Thornblade Club golf shop.

The club held a reception for the author and the club members who helped finance the book to unveil the volume.

Burns spent over a year collecting pictures, historical records and remem-brances from the members and employees

at Thornblade.“I got a great deal of help in putting

the book together,” said Burns. “So many people offered pictures and stories to make the history of the club come alive,” he said.

The book recalls how the original developers came up with the idea for a country club on the east side of Greenville.

Greenville’s Champ Covington, Joe Jelks and Irv Welling along with Johnny Harris from Charlotte formed the initial group that announced the project to the public.

“When Thornblade was announced it was the largest investment made in Greenville County in 1988. The guys who founded the club were rock stars in the growth of Greenville at the time,” said Burns.

While the founders had the experience in development and finance they needed someone to help create the image of the

club they wanted.Covington set his sights on bringing

PGA Tour pro and Greenville resident Jay Haas into the project as the club’s Director of Golf.

With Haas in the fold the group next needed a course designer. Tom Fazio had just won a slew of awards for his designs and recently moved to Hendersonville.

Welling contacted Fazio who met with the group and decided to take on the project in part because he liked the group.

Fazio and his staff, which included a future Thornblade member Tom Marzolf , received an assist from Haas.

“If you talk to Tom Fazio you would find out that Jay was important to the final design of the course. He would be out there hitting shots through trees and out of the mud to add his input to the design,”

Thornblade .. continued on page 12

The Upstate’s Friendleist Golf Club!

105 Southern Oaks Dr. 864-859-6698www.southernoaks-golf.com

Replay 9 Holes for $10Newly Restocked Pro ShopWalking Rates -Practice Range

Senior Special Monday - Friday

Fall Rates$34 Weekdays$25 After 1 PM$40 Weekends$25 After 1 PM

Seniors Play Sat - Sun between 11am and 12:30PM

$27.00

$25

Page 6 December 2015The Golf ClubScurlock, Dennis repeat at ChanticleerDefending champs go wire to wire to win by 10 shots

Blair Scurlock and Will Dennis won their second straight Chanticleer National Four-Ball Invitational title and celebrate with three of their biggest fans.

The winners were the same, but the way they won was much different than last year.

Blair Scurlock and Will Dennis won their second straight Chanticleer National Four-Ball championship.

Last year the team squeaked out a one shot victory in the 36 hole event.

This year the event was played at 54 holes and the defending champions never left any doubt that they were going to be the team to beat again.

While weather was threatening the tournament, the event was able to play the full three rounds of the championship in decent conditions.

Scurlock and Dennis opened the tournament with an 8-under par round of 64. Opening the tournament with a birdie, Scurlock and Dennis followed it up with seven more birdies.

The team finished the round with four straight birdies and did not card a bogey in the opening round.

The team of Tee Opperman and Lee Taylor carded a 5-under par 67. The only

blemish on their scorecard was a bogey on the sixth hole.

Three teams were one shot further back in third place with rounds of 4-under par 68.

In the second round, the leaders made one more birdie than they did in the first round, but three bogeys left them with a 130 total for the first two rounds.

The team of Thomas Todd and Jordan Sease equalled the leaders first round total to pull with in three shots after posting their own 8-under par round.

The annual Scratch-Scramble tourna-ment was played at the Links O Tryon in Gowansville.

The tournament features CPGA pro-fessionals and amateurs playing the special format.

This year the team of Chris Ehlich, Doug Ramey, Don Trahan, PGA, & Craig Hill shot a 55 to win the tournament.

The winners finished up three shots in front of two teams that tied for second in regulation play.

The team of Rocky Burgess, Tripp Morrow, Greg Parker, & Johnny Baker claimed second place winning a scorecard playoff.

The team of William Deck, PGA, Zack McKelvey, Paul Butler,& Aaron Jolley finished in third after the playoff.

In the Senior Flight the winners were Tom Rogers,PGA, Rusty Van Voorhis, Buddy Manson, PGA ,& Bobby Taft with a 63. 64 players participated.

Todd and Sease’s round included one bogey and left them three shots behind the leaders going into the final round.

On Sunday, Scurlock and Dennis posted a team total of 3-under par 69 mak-ing the duo the only team that was able to post scores in the 60s for all three rounds.

Scurlock and Dennis finished with a 17-under par total of 199 and a 10 shot victory.

Todd and Jordan struggled to a 5-over par 77 to drop behind the leaders.

Scratch-Scrambleheld at Links O’Tryon

Three teams tied for second place. Garland Ferrell, Matt Hayes along with Jake Thompson and Ben Goforth as well as Buddy Davis and Wesley Harden all tied at 209.

Call For Tee Times864-578-0023

$38 Weekdays $48 Weekends $28 Seniors Monday-Thursday

www.woodfinridge.comNorth of Boiling Springs

Off Hwy 9 at Lake Bowen Dam Rd.

Book Your Spring Outings Now!

The Complete Golf Experience!

Merry Christmas!

301 Old Rockhouse Road GreenvilleFollow Paris Mountain Country Club on Facebook & Twitter

For Tee Times & Directions

(864) 834-4781

Great Condition - Bent Grass Greens

Welcome Back to Paris Mountain!

First Anniversary Celebration TournamentJanuary 1, 2016

Open to All Golfers, Individual EntriesCaptains Choice - Teams Made Up By Golf Shop

Golf - Lunch - Cash PayoutCall Golf Shop to Register

Call about our Special Offer for former Members

Under New Ownership

Open for Public Play

New Fleet of Carts!

December 2015 Page 7The Golf Club

532 Haywood Road Greenville, SC 864-297-5600

400 N. Hwy 25 By-Pass, Greenville

864-294-2690

PUBLIC WELCOME! COME OUT AND PLAY!

www.furmangolfclub.com

PGA Instruction from Tim Eckstein

Chuck Lackey - Jonathan Allen

Follow Us On

Like Us On

December Special Pricing!

Juniors Any Day of the Week18 years of age and younger

Walk 18 holes $16 Walk 9 Holes $10

Mon - Fri Before 12pm After 12pm

18 Holes $41 $32 Sat - Sun Before 12pm After 12pm

18 Holes $46 $36

Monday - Friday (60 years of age & up)

Seniors 18 Holes $32

Rate Includes Cart Fee/Person Plus Tax, Expires 12-31-2015

Rivals meet on the courseGamecocks, Tigers battle on the course for school pride

Clemson captain Mickey Hambright led his Tiger team to its second straight win in the Clemson vs Carolina challenge match at Woodfin Ridge in Boiling Springs. After 12 years the series between golfers representing the two schools is even at 6-6.

The Clemson and Carolina rivalry can be intense all year. It gets especially heated around the end of the season when the two teams match up on the field.

However, the intense rivalry may be at its friendliest at Woodfin Ridge when golfers from the two schools meet on the golf course.

“This is the most fun we have at the club all year,” said PGA professional John Combs. “The players have the best time representing their schools and do it in the right spirit,” he added.

This year the Clemson team won its second straight match with the Gamecocks. The Ryder Cup style matches ended with Clemson taking a 12-11 win.

The team title came down to the last match on the course. The Tigers’ team of Craig Parris and Heath Henderson won their match on the final hole.

“There was a little pressure on us because we were getting texts from the clubhouse telling us we had to win so the Tigers could win,” said Henderson.

The two had a three up lead during the round, but the team of Rick Rhodes and Patrick Gosnell rallied to even the match by the final hole.

On the last hole Parris and Henderson won the match with a par to seal the team title for the Tigers.

“Neither of us went to Clemson, but we are Tiger fans and we love playing in this tournament. It just is a lot of fun,” said Parris.

The winning team gets to have their school flag fly over the clubhouse for the entire year.

New Gamecock captain Cam Fant suffered the same fate as the Carolina football team has this year.

“I hope I get a chance to keep the job.

Even though we didn’t win, we played hard,” he joked.

The win evened the series between the schools at 6-6. It also gave the Clemson team a steak dinner, while the Carolina team had to make due with beans and corn bread.

“I’m glad we were able to win again,”

said Clemson captain Mickey Hambright. “I drive home past the club every day and I like seeing the Tiger flag up there,” said the winning captain.

The tournament raised over $1,000 from the sale of mulligans, that will be donated to a local childrens Christmas charity.

PGA Tour players Kyle Thompson (left) from South Carolina and Ben Martin (right) from Clemson captained the teams at the FCA Rivalry Cup played at The Cliffs at Mountain Park.

Carolina wins FCA Rivalry Cup at Mountain Park

Gamecock golfers could only hope their football team could play as well as they did in the FCA Rivalry Cup.

The Gamecock team clobbered the Clemson team in the matches held at The Cliffs at Mountain Park.

PGA Tour players Kyle Thompson of USC and Ben Martin of Clemson cap-tained each school’s team.

The tournament proceeds went to sup-port the work of the Greenville FCA Chapter.

The Golf ClubPage 8 December 2015

Like us on Facebook Outfitting Golfers from Beginners to Pros for 35 Years!www.bypassgolfshop.com

Tigers..continued on page 10

133 Southport Rd. (295 By-Pass, 1/4 mile past Fudruckers on the left) Spartanburg 29301 (864) 576-7120 M-Sat 8:30 am - 6:00 pmExpert Club Repair - Equipment Upgrades - Fast Service - Upstate’s Largest Selection Of Used Clubs - Custom Fitting All Major Brands

OPEN SUNDAYS IN DECEMBER 1 pm to 5 pm Fitting systems for TaylorMade - Ping - Titlest - Adams - Cobra - Mizuno

Shirts - Hats - Head CoversBags - Accessories

Practice Pro V1 - Pro V1x$12.00 Doz.

Clemson or Carolina LogoPro VI or e6

Now In Stock!

King Cobra LTD

Stocking Stuffers!

Pro V1 $39.95

Rain and Wind Gear

Rain JacketsRain Shirts

Suits - Windshirts

Buy 3 doz. e SeriesGet a Free Jacket

Gifts for Juniors

Golf Clubs &Accessories

Apparel &Shoes

Many Colors& Sizes

Hyperflex

WeatherSof Gloves2 for $17.95

Burkhardt overcomes injury to play at FurmanGreenville golfer is recovering from career threatening injury

The last golf season was anything but fun for Greenville High School golfer Carly Burkhardt.

One of the top juniors in South Carolina didn’t play any golf from Easter until now because of a wrist injury. It was an injury that could have affected her opportunity to play college golf.

“At first I thought it might be a couple of weeks thing, but as it went on I started to worry and I got down on myself,” said Burkhardt.

With a promising college career in her future, the Burkhardt family looked for an expert to care for their daughter.

Dr. Andrew Weiland in New York had treated PGA Tour players Luke Donald and Billy Horschal for the same injury.

“The easy way to describe it is that a tendon was loose and when I would swing it would move around and cause pain,” she said.

The problem is often faced by golfers because of overuse. Rest helps, but a sur-gical remedy is often needed.

“I felt really good after talking to the Doctor. He had done these surgeries and golfers got back to playing. It was reas-suring knowing that Tour players had this

done and got back to playing,” she said.The young golfer had the surgery late

in the summer and has been working to get back to playing.

Burkhardt credits strong support from her family, friends, coaches and espe-

Carly is a much better prospect than Stacey was at the same age,” said Hester.

Burkhardt also received great sup-port from the father of one of her old-est friends. SCGA champion Lee Palms’ daughter Mosely and Burkhardt have been long time friends.

“My daughter isn’t into golf, but Carly was and I’ve tried to help her with her game. When she couldn’t play she cad-died for me. She is a wonderful player who is only going to get better,” said Palms.

A year ago, when Burkhardt was healthy, her record was impressive. She won the Jimmy Self and the Vaughn Taylor AJGA championship.

She finished second at the AJGA Girls championship and earned All-State hon-ors in AAAA high school golf.

She has started chipping and putting and soon will be taking full swings. It has been a slow process, but a successful one.

“The big thing for me now is to get back to trusting my wrist because it has been so long since I have played,” said Burkhardt.

The road to complete recovery will take a little while longer, but the support Burkhardt has received is making the time and the effort easier to accept.

“My family, coaches and Lee Palms all helped me get through this when I was down. I can’t thank them all enough,” concluded the future Furman golfer.

Carly Burkhardt (center) her family along with swing coach Kevin Britt and mentor Lee Palms gathered to help Burkhardt celebrate her signing with Furman. The promising junior golfer is recovering from a wrist injury that could have ended her golf career.

cially Furman coach Kelley Hester.“I picked Furman because I loved the

school, the academics and the coaches. Everything is a perfect fit for me. Coach Hester and coach Hull have been so sup-portive,” she said.

Hester had a situation much like Burkhardt’s when she coached at Arkansas. She had a promising golfer with a medical problem and held her scholarship while she recovered.

The golfer was Stacey Lewis, who has gone on to be a top LPGA professional.

“Stacey had a back problem and we held her scholarship. I can tell you that

The Golf Club Page 9December 2015

Palmetto State juniors in high demand

GreenvilleWoods Crossing Next to TJ Maxx

864-242-2424828 Woods Crossing 29067

SpartanburgNext to Way Back Burgers

864-595-99111735 John B. White Blvd

We Buy, Sell & TradeSports Gear forALL SPORTSAnd FITNESS!

Palmetto State college golf teams brought some outstanding golfers into the state, but several top players left South Carolina. Ana Paula Valdes (left), originally from Morelia, Mexico, signed with Clemson. She has been ranked as high as number 15 in national junior rankings. Trevor Phillips and family (right) of Boiling Springs celebrate his signing with Georgia. Phillips was the highest ranked recruit in the SCJGA rankings for 2015.

State schools pick up top recruits from in and out of state

Make no mistake, Palmetto State junior golfers are in high demand for col-lege teams in and out of South Carolina.

Recruiting South Carolina golfers exclusively helped Clemson win a nation-al championship in 2003.

Recently South Carolina has shown SC golfers can challenge for SEC and national titles.

However, the recruiting territory that has been so rich for in state schools now is not the exclusive property of local col-leges.

SCGA Junior champion Christian Salzer of Sumter signed to play at North Carolina State.

The Upstate’s top junior, Trevor

Phillips of Boiling Springs, is going to Georgia.

“I just felt really comfortable at Georgia,” said Phillips. “They have a great golf program and they get to play at Augusta and that has been a dream of mine for a long time,” said the Bulldog who will still be a Bulldog in college.

Nor is the idea that only Palmetto State juniors can help state teams win tournaments, conference titles and chal-lenge for championships.

The Clemson women’s golf team signed the most prominent national recruit signed by any instate team when they inked Ana Paula Valdes.

Valdes, a native of Mexico, now lives near Orlando and was a student at the International Junior Golf Academy at Hilton Head.

“I chose Clemson because of the pas-sion and competitiveness within the golf team and coaches,” said Valdes “The

more I got to know them the more I saw myself as a perfect fit for the team,” she said.

Valdes was a second team AJGA Rolex All-Star, she won two Junior Heritage titles and claimed a significant women’s amateur win with the title at last summer’s Porter Cup.

“She is absolutely one of the best players in the country of Mexico or the United States,” said Clemson women’s golf coach JT Horton. “She has proven that she can win at any level,” he added.

The Clemson men also widened their recruiting circle this year. The Tigers inked Doc Redman from Raleigh and William Nottingham of Kingsport, TN.

“It wasn’t anything intentional, but we just found a couple of guys who are outstanding players and wanted to be part of our team,” said Clemson men’s coach Larry Penley.

With rare exception the Tigers have

come from South Carolina. Recently Bill Kennerly was from Georgia and Miller Capps finished high school in North Carolina, but was from Seneca originally.

David May from Auburn, NY won the ACC individual title in 2009, but most Tigers have been from South Carolina.

Redman is ranked as the top junior boys golfer in North Carolina and is a Rolex AJGA All-American.

Among his junior accomplishments have been a second place finish in the North Carolina AAAA championship and a fourth place finish at the prestigious Bobby Chapman Junior.

“We thought Doc had made a commit-ment, but when we found out he had not we offered him and he joined us. We are glad to have him,” said Penley.

Nottingham’s resume includes a win in the Tennessee State Junior Amateur. He defeated the fourth ranked junior in Recruiting .. continued on page 14

said Burns.Haas’ involvement in the development

of the club is a major part of the book, the author also devoted a lot of ink to the role Thornblade has had in Greenville.

The idea of community service and giving something back to the area came from Haas and has been part of the club’s

DNA since it first opened.Haas used his friendship with other

PGA Tour players to raise almost $2 mil-lion dollars for charity during the run of the Thornblade Classic Pro-Am.

He followed that up by helping The Blade Junior Golf Classic raise over $1 million for other local charities.

“I appreciate the club allowing us to do these things. The members got behind it and they loved showing off Thornblade to the entire country,” said Haas.

Thornblade has been the host for the BMW Charity Pro-Am on the Web.com Tour for nine years and will again host the event in May.

“Jay’s fingerprints are on everything here at the club. When he is here, he is just another member who might be in the group in front of you on Saturday morn-ing,” said Burns.

Under Haas’ direction, the club has

Plates are Available at

SC DMV Offices

Support Junior Golf

A Portion of the Fee is contributed to Junior Golf in South Carolina

For More Information and to Apply for a License Plate go to

www.scjgf.orgtab

Fund raising Initiative and EventsLicense Tag Program

The Golf ClubPage 10 December 2015Tue-Thur SpecialCall for Rates!Play 18 holes with cart

Mon-Wed-Fri$29

after 1pm $26

Seniors M-F$26

Weekends & Holidays

$34After 1 PM

$29All rates for 18 holes w/cart

been a home course for many of the Tour players in the area.

The club could boast of having a US Open Champion, Lucas Glover and a Fed-Ex champion in Bill Haas as golfers playing from Thornblade along with Haas who has earned 33 professional wins.

The book covers major tennis events as well as important club functions like the Silver Club matches or the annual Cham-pagne Shoot-Out on New Year’s Eve.

The fire that destroyed the clubhouse in 1999 and the construction of the new facility are detailed in chapter four of the nine chapter history.

While the book is filled with stories, pictures and anecdotes from the first 25 years, Burns also collected some stories that did not make it into print.

“When I talked to people they would tell me stories for the book and then after I heard them, they all seemed to have some stories that they said I couldn’t use in the book. So I can’t talk about that,” joked the author.

The book showcases how successful the founders were with their creation and how important Haas has been to club.

“Thornblade is a great club. I guess I’m now part of the old brigade. It has been fun to see what Thornblade has become from the ground up,” concluded Haas.

Thornblade Club and Haas cashed another million dollar check for charity from money raised by The Blade Junior Classic. The club has long hosted many area Tour pros. Lucas Glover, and Bill Haas who grew up on the course have both claimed high profile wins.

Thornblade... continued from page 5

Conveniently Located off I-85 & 385 at the Embassy Suites 650 Verdae Blvd. Greenville, SC Call 864.676.1500 For Tee Times

“It’s time to play The Preserve at Verdae” The Most Convenient Premier Public Course In Greenville!

Rates include green fees, cart and range balls before the round - Tee times available 7 days in advance

Like Us& Follow Us

December Specials! $30 Weekdays Seniors

Check our other Specials at www.thepreserveatverdae.com

Twilight Rates start at 1 PM

$35 $40Weekdays Weekends The Tour returns to the course

where it started in the Upstate!BMW Charity Pro-Am

May 19-22, 2016

See an interview with the author

www.scgolfclub.com

December 2015 Page 11The Golf Club

Membership Drive - Zero Initiation Fee! Ask About Our Discount For Pre-Paid Annual Membership!

For membership information or a tour of the club and the Linkside course call the Golf Shop at (864) 244-8872

101 Pebble Creek Dr Taylors

864-244-8937

Twi Light Special

$27.00 $37.00

Weekdays Weekends

After 1 PM

Let Us Host Your Next Tournament or Outing!

Call Lyn Young at 864-325-9954See the “Classic” new look of Pebble Creek after our bunker remodeling! www.pebblecreek-club.com

315 Piedmont Golf Course Rd.Take Highway 25 South from

I-85, past Donaldson. Turn right on Piedmont G.C. Rd. Lakeview

is 2.5 miles on the right. Call 864-277-2680

Todd King PGA Professional

Saturday, Sunday

& Holidays

$35$27 Monday

Thru Friday

Rates are for 18 holes and cart including tax

23Seniors

Monday thruThursday

$

After 1 PM$25.00 Weekdays

Sat after 1pm and Sun After 12 PM $30.00

Local Golf NewsWhen you want it!From the GolfClub

Newspaperwww.

scgolfclub.com

A refresher course for golfersBook offers some lessons for life and business from golf

The First Tee programs do a great job of teaching young golfers the core values they need to be successful in life as well as on the golf course.

However, every now and then golfers who didn’t participate in The First Tee or maybe forgot the benefits of golf need a refresher course.

Robert Fiacco has written a book that does just that for older golfers.

His book is titled “Showing Up to Play.” The subtitle is Business and Life Lessons Learned on the Golf Course.

“My book shares my firsthand experi-ence dealing with the internal struggles that people in all walks of life face on a daily basis,” said the author.

Fiacco was born with physical issues that caused him emotional challenges as he grew up.

“I learned that in every hardship there are lessons and blessings if we look for them and show up everyday to play. The game of golf has given me great insight into overcoming many of these obstacles, that I have shared in my book,” said Fiacco.

The eleven chapter titles give a very good indication of life lessons that Fiacco has either learned or believed in.

Starting with the chapter title, Take a Lesson, Fiacco mixes good advice with interesting golf stories that can have an impact on a golfer away from the course.

“In life as in golf, the answers are simple: humility, absolute determination and the willingness to take a lesson,” notes Fiacco.

The book reads as if you were gath-ered at a club function and Fiacco was your after dinner speaker.

The amusing anecdotes along with the lessons he offers using the stories are the

kind of message that lasts long after the dinner was over.

Other chapter titles can almost be les-son by themselves if you allow yourself to recall your own challenges.

Snakes in Your Head, It Takes Time, Ignore the Weather and Count the Clubs in Your Bag can be applied to almost everyone’s life on or off the course.

The book is for golfers and non golf-ers and the stories carry a universal mes-sage that encourages readers to strive to do their best.

“This book offers the benefits of a self help book with practical, professional and personal guidance to help you excel in many areas of life,” said Fiacco.

While every chapter can be motivating the tenth chapter, You Have Got to Get Off the First Tee is filled with a checklist of valuable ideas.

Fiacco writes “Fear is real, and it exists in all of us; but we must not let it control us and determine our future for us. Having a clear vision of what you want can help you move out of the grip of fear.

The last line in the chapter could have been the title for the book and the one message that everyone can take from the author’s work.

“When your dreams are bigger than your fears, anything is possible,” penned Fiacco.

Information about the author is avail-able at www.bobfiacco.com.

About the Author.Robert Fiacco is a recruiter, manager, trainer and motivator who has spent over 30 years helping people excel in many areas of their lives.The book is available at Amazon.com, and BarnesandNoble.com

The Golf ClubPage 12 December 2015

the country, David Shore, in a playoff for the title.

The Tennessee golfer was recruited by Penley on the recommendation of one of the Clemson coach’s former teammates. His father also was a Clemson grad.

Recruiting... continued from page 9

Caleb Proveaux signed to play college golf at South Carolina. Proveaux is the third ranked junior in SC.

Proveaux one of three to sign with USC

Lady Paladins sign three for next year

Natalie Srinivasan of Dorman and Carly Burkhardt of Greenvile have both signed to play for Furman.

The SoCon champs have strengthened a young team for next year with the addi-tion of three top junior golfers.

South Carolina AAAA champion Natalie Srinivasan of Dorman, Carly Burkhardt from Greenville High School and Marra Burton from the IMG Academy in Florida will be in purple next year.

“This is one of the recruiting classes I am most proud of in my coaching career,” said Furman head coach Kelley Hester. “I made recruiting in-state a huge prior-ity, and commitments from both Carly and Natalie (arguably the top two juniors in S.C.) helped solidify the resurgence of Furman Women’s Golf and our position in South Carolina,” she said.

Paladins bring in four new recruits

The Furman men’s team added four recruits for the 2016 season.

Stephen Reynolds of Christ Church in Greenville, Matt Lehman of Bluffton, Liam McGrath of Huntington Valley, PA and Steve Cerbara of Langhorne, PA will be wearing purple next fall.

“I feel very confident in their current abilities and their potential to be excep-tional student-athletes. They will all be great Paladins,” said Todd Satterfield, the Paladins golf coach.

Stephen Reynolds of Christ Church signed to play college golf at Furman next year.

Anna Chanthapaeng from Boiling Springs signs to play close to home at USC Upstate.

USC Upstate keeps two close to home

USC Upstate added to both its men’s and women’s teams without leaving Spartanburg County.

Anna Chanthapaeng of Boiling Springs earned All-State honors in AAAA golf this year.

Jordan Warnock of Dorman will join the men’s team next year. Warnock was the medalist at the Upper State AAAA and made All-State in the final. He also finished second at the Joe Cheves Junior.

South Carolina added three golfers for next season. The highest ranked played is Caleb Proveaux of Lexington.

Proveaux finished in the top-five of the SCJGA rankings. He won the Transou Junior and The Blade. He finished third in the state amateur,

If the name sounds familiar to junior golf fans it should be. Caleb is the young-er brother of Cody who is a member of the Clemson golf team.

“We were very fortunate to have him choose the Gamecocks given some of his, uh, family dynamics, you might say,” said Gamecock golf coach Bill McDonald.

Jaime Wilson of Bishop England High School is another USC recruit from South Carolina.

Wilson won the Beth Daniel Junior Azalea this year.

Connor Chesky is the third Gamecock recruit this year. He joins the program from St. Helena, CA. where he was ranked as the 13th junior in California.

“We feel strongly that each one of these players will fit in nicely with our program and all three most certainly have the ability to contribute right away to our success,” said Gamecock golf coach Bill McDonald.

Anderson adds four new recruits

Kate Hill from Daniel High School is one of four recruits that will attend Anderson University next year.

The Anderson Trojans men’s and women’s team each added two new recruits.

Kate Hill of Daniel and Olivia Statton of Dorman will join the women’s team.

While a pair of Hanna Yellow Jackets, Brady Cox and Jake Miller will stay in town to play for the men’s team.

Wofford gets three new Terrier golfers

The Wofford Terriers have added three new golfers to the mens and wom-en’s teams.

Grace Masengill from Hickory is the 2015 North Carolina girls champion.

The Terriers will also welcome Madison Barnett from Whitefield Academy in Georgia.

Walker Simas of Charlotte who won two tournaments in his senior year joins the men’s team.

Grace Massengill of Hickory will be a Wofford Terrier in Spartanburg next fall.

Hailey Cleary of Lexington has signed to play at Limestone. She is a past winner of The Blade Junior.

Four new golfers sign at Limestone

Hailey Cleary of Lexington, who won The Blade Junior and was an All-State golfer, is now a Saint.

She is joined by Stephanie Landreth from Easley and Samantha Bennett from Wake Forest, NC.

The men’s team gets Nick Russell from Hilton Head Island.

Charleston signs three Upstate golfers

Two-time AAA State Champion Victoria Huskey of Travelers Rest will join the Charleston golf team.

The College of Charleston has signed Victoria Huskey of Travelers Rest. Hus-key is a two-time SC AAA individual champion.

The Cougars also signed Savannah Goodman of Easley who won the Orange Jacket title this year.

The mens team added Christian Balik-er from St. Joseph’s High School.

Baliker made All-State three times and qualified for the US Junior Amateur.

North Greenville signs two for 2016

Doc Redman of Raleigh (above) and William Nottingham of Tennessee (below) are Clemson recruits who are ranked in the top-30 nationally.

North Greenville has added two golf-ers to their roster for 2016. Cole Hargett from Blythewood High School near Co-lumbia joins the men’s team.

The women’s team added Megan Miller who played high school golf at Greer Middle Charter.

Chesnee High School golfer Grace Vaughan played with Rory McIlroy at the Wells-Fargo Pro-Am

Vaughan signs with Converse College

Chesnee High School golfer Grace Vaughan, who gained national attention when she played in the Wells-Fargo Pro-Am with Rory McIlroy, will play college golf at Converse College in Spartanburg next year.

December 2015 Page 13The Golf Club

2015 Rates

Senior. M-F$30

Sr. Sat-Sun$39

Weekdays$48

After 2 PM$34

Sat-Sun$58

After 2 PM$39

The best two

clubs in

your bag!

2015 Rates$30

Weekdays$27

Seniors$40

WeekendsSuper

Twilight$22

After 1:30 pm

The Perfect Christmas gift for your Favorite Golfer! or Yourself!The 2016 Willow Creek

Player’s Pass helps players play and save

more every time they tee it up. With FREE rounds,

the Player’s Pass is a game changer. Player’s Pass Members will receive 20% off every round

they play in 2016.

For Only $279.00 your Player’s Pass/Associate Member Benefits IncludeSix, Five, Four or Three FREE rounds with cart fee included

20% Discount on every round you play. Invitation to play in “Members Only” Tournaments

Free Green Fees in Dec. 2015, Jan & Feb 2016 w/$20 Cart Fee10% member discount in Golf Shop on non-sale merchandise

ADD UNLIMITED RANGE MEMBERSHIP FOR $240.00Steve Goforth, PGA Head Golf Professional

sgoforth@willow-creekgolf.com * www.willow-creekgolf.com205 Sandy Run, Greer, 29651 Call 864-670-9329

Marc Brady, PGA Head Golf Professionalmarc@mbradypga.com * www.linksotryon.com

11250 New Cut Rd Campobello, 29322 Call 864-468-5099

Special Events are our Specialty! Book Your 2016 Golf Outing before December 31st

and receive 2015 rates! We do the work while your group has fun!

Call Marc Brady, PGAto select your date....hurry! Our schedule fills up fast!

Cassell and Harris named to CGA Hall of Fame

Dean Cassell and Johnny Harris have been named to the Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame.

Cassell, from Charlotte, was the CEO of Dunlop Sports in Greenville and Achus-net-Titleist in New Bedford, Connecticut.

He was president of the National Golf Foundation and the Golf Ball Manufactur-ing Association.

Cassell is best known for influencing the design and marketing of the golf ball as it is known today.

CGA Hall of FameHarris is also from Charlotte. He is

best known for his work to make the Wells-Fargo Championship one of the premier stops on the PGA Tour.

Harris has a connection to Greenville as one of the original group of investors who developed Thornblade Club.

The two men will be inducted into the CGA Hall of Fame at a ceremony to be held at the Quail Hollow Club in February.

Any group or person may nominate a candidate for the Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame by September 1st of each selection year.

Nominees may include, but are not limited to Amateur Players, Golf Profes-sionals, Superintendents, Administrators, Volunteers, Coaches, or Media.

Johnny Harris (right) and Dean Cassell (left) have been named to the Carolinas Golf Association Hall of Fame. The two Charlotte residents will be inducted at the Quail Hollow Club in February.

598 Beaverdam Rd. Williamston, SC 29697

Call for Tee Times (864) 847-7102

M-F $31.00 / Sat-Sun $36.00

Nine Hole and Walking Rates Available

Afternoon Rate After 12 PM!M-F $26.00 / Sat-Sun $29.00

Seniors Monday-Friday Anytime!$25.00

Directions: Exit from I-85 to the Highway 29, Williamston - South Anderson Exit.Take the Belton Exit off Highway 29, Saluda Valley is 2 miles ahead on the left.

We Have Overseeded To Be Green All Year!

WE ARE GOING GREEN!

GREER GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

If you make an ace, please give the information to your club pro. and ask that they forward it to us at golfclubsc@gmail.com.

We would like to know the hole, the club used and the names of any witnesses.

Here are this month’s aces:Chris Carver, The Preserve at

Verdae, #2, Pitching Wedge. Witnessed by Jerry Cassano.

Michael Jones, Paris Mt. #11, 7 iron. Witnessed by David Jones, Ric Penland, Ji Chance.

Bob Krause, Paris Mt. #8, 5 iron. Witnessed by Chuck Taylor, Lou Millslagle.

Am ScheduleHoliday Tourneys on the schedule for December

Holiday Open, Southern Oaks, De-cember 12 - 13. The annual two man team event is open to all golfers. As part of the entry fee each golfer is asked to bring an unwrapped toy to be given to local groups helping children.

Registration can be made at Southern Oaks golf shop by calling 864-859-6698.

Christmas Captains Choice, Village Greens Golf Club, December 16th. The tournament is open to all golfers. Indi-vidual entries will be placed in three man teams (A-B-C) by a computer draw.

Noon shotgun start with food after play. Call Corey McEwan to enter at the golf shop 864-472-2411.

Paris Mt. Anniversary Tournament, Paris Mt, January 1st. Open to all golf-ers, entrants will be placed in teams for Captains Choice event.

Lunch and Cash Payout plus golf included in entry fee.

Call the Golf Shop at 864-834-4781 to enter.

Upstate AcesHoles-In-One

The Golf ClubPage 14 December 2015

Greer Country Club - 2299 Gap Creek Road - Greer, 29651 - 864-877-9279

Public Welcome

“A Shot Makers Course”

NEW RATESWeekdays

$34 Twilight after 1 PM

$28 Weekends

$40 Twilight after 1 PM

$34$25 Seniors M-FTime to book your Holiday Parties at our Club. Great Dates Available Now!

Become A Member Three Membership Options

1 - Pay 1 Year in Advance with no initiation Fee2 - Pay 2 quarter in advance($490) and pay 2 quarters in six months3 - Pay $100 per month with no up front cost or initiation

No Stress GolfInstruction

Mike Hamilton wants you to have fun playing golf!

Leave your stress behind and enjoy the game!

Lessons should be fun and stress free too!

Mike brings 40 years as a PGA Professional to the

lesson tee to help Beginners to Advance golfers enjoy the game

STRESS FREE!

4 30 min Lessons $100

4 60 min Lessons$150

CallMike

Hamilton864-380-2923

Lessons by Appointment at Fox Runor close to you in the Upstate

BMW to play VerdaeThe Preserve at Verdae returns to the Web.com Tour

The Preserve at Verdae was the original host for what has become the Web.com Tour. Next year the Tour will return to Verdae as the course joins Thornblade Club and The Reserve at Lake Keowee as hosts for the BMW Charity Pro-Am.

The Preserve at Verdae will return to the PGA Tour in 2016. The course will be one of the three host courses for the Web.com Tour’s BMW Charity Pro-Am.

The course in Greenville joins Thorn-blade Club and The Reserve at Lake Ke-owee as hosts for the 2016 event.

“We would also like to welcome The Preserve at Verdae to the lineup of host courses for the BMW Charity Pro-am presented by SYNNEX Corporation. I’m sure our players will enjoy competing there,” said Bill Calfee, the Web.com Tour president.

The tournament will continue to be sponsored by BMW. The PGA Tour and BMW agreed to a new contract which will keep the event on the Web.com Tour schedule through 2018.

“Events like the BMW Charity Pro-Am tournament naturally enhance our ex-isting day-to-day corporate citizenship and

philanthropic activities. It’s great to know that the tournament’s impact will continue for another three years,” said Bob Nitto the tournament president.

The club which was Verdae Greens in 1990 was part of the first season of the Ben Hogan Tour. The Hogan Tour was the PGA Tour’s first version of a satellite Tour.

The course hosted several tourna-ments played as the Ben Hogan Tour and the Nike Tour.

Russell Beiersdorf won the first tour-nament. Greenville native, the late Michael Christie was the home-town winner in 1996.

The tournament left Verdae Greens when the Celebrity Pro-Am format began and the event moved to The Cliffs courses.

The Preserve at Verdae is a par 72 championship golf course designed by Willard Byrd.

The Preserve’s mission is “striving for harmony between golf and nature” and because of these efforts, received the En-vironmental Leaders in Golf - Resort Divi-sion, from the Golf Course Superintendents Association and Golf Digest.

640 Keltner Ave. Spartanburg (864) 583-7084 Book Tee Times - Directions - Online Specials - www.TheCreekGolfClub.com

Memberships to fit YOUR LIFESTYLE!Call PGA Professional Mike Byce 864-583-7084 ext1 (Free Lesson with all new Club Members!)

Take Advantage of Our Associate Membership$47 per month, Individual or Family

Includes Full Golf Membership & Range!

Free use of the Driving Range - Preferred Tee Times - Par 3 Course PGA Instruction and Coaching - Inter Club Play - Discounts on Golf Equipment

Daily Organized Member Playing Opportunities - Relaxed, Friendly Club Atmosphere

December 2015 Page 15The Golf Club

Interview and Video of some of the fitness exercises is available

at www.scgolfclub.com

Get fit and stay fit to play better golfDill brings PGA and personal training skills to The Eagle Zone

When Chris Dill was a PGA profes-sional at a golf club he was asked a question by his boss.

“He wanted to know where the golfers had gone? Rounds were down and members were not playing as much golf,” recalled the Eagle Zone’s general manager.

Dill went looking for the answer and found something that amazed him.

“We were losing rounds because members were hurt and couldn’t play. The injuries seemed to hit the most avid golfers the most,” he said.

The former club pro had always been interested in fitness with an emphasis on how it could help golfers. His first efforts were as an assistant pro at Thornblade Club. He helped several of the ladies at the club who were suffering from some injuries.

“Most of the injuries golfers suffer is from over use. Then they try to make some adjustment while they keep playing and things get worse,” he said.

Dill was able to help the ladies get back in the game and then began offering his services as a personal trainer to other members.

Part of the reason he left the head professional’s job at Holly Tree and came to The Eagle Zone was to expand his work in developing fitter golfers.

At The Eagle Zone, Dill not only teaches golfers how to hit their clubs better, but also how to be in better shape to learn what he teaches them on the practice tee

out on the course.“As a personal trainer it is amazing

how many things get better when golfers can improve their fitness level even a little,” he said.

Dill’s program does not involve heavy training. If a golfer enjoys running or lifting some weights he can help them maximize their effort.

However, much of his work centers on the core muscles golfers use to maintain balance and power.

“Golf involves a special blend of power, flexibility and strength. I know I can help golfers improve in those areas and that will mean improvement on the

course,” said Dill.One of the golfers he is currently help-

ing has lost 40 pounds and is playing better golf and more golf.

Another golfer who is 68 years old had suffered from major back issues. Dill has been able to help him regain his swing. He is seeing progress every month according to the pro.

“I want people to play more golf. If

they are hurt or not feeling they can give the game a good effort they are not going to play as much. You don’t want to lose players who are already committed to the sport,” he said.

While helping golfers bounce back from injuries is important, Dill would like golfers to think about doing some preven-tative care.

“I like to go through an initial session with a golfer and then they can decide if it is right for them,” concluded the pro.

Dill offers his services by appoint-ment at The Eagle Zone the sessions are 30 minutes long.

Dill can be reached at 864-288-0001.

PGA professional Chris Dill helps golfers recover from injuries and improve their fitness level as a personal trainer at The Eagle Zone. Dill has been helping golfers on and off the course for several years. He is convinced improving a golfers fitness level will improve their game and get them to play more golf.

The Golf ClubPage 16 December 2015

$39 Fri-SunBefore Noon

$29 Mon-ThursBefor Noon

$25 Mon-ThursAfter Noon

$35 Fri-SunAfter Noon

$23 Mon-ThursSeniors Anytime

New Fall Rates!

Instruction from PGA & LPGA ProfessionalsWe Want Your Used Clubs! Trade In and Trade Up!

Don’t miss out on our specials on social media!8000 Pelham Rd. Greenville, SC864.288.0001 / TheEagleZone.com

Open 9 am - 8 pm Daily

See it Fly Before You Buy!

Now Available at the App StoreThe Eagle Zone Golf Center

MERRY CHRISTMAS!Get Ready for the New Year!

Ask About our Golf Fitness Seminars This Month!

Check Out Our Winter Specials!Lessons - Memberships

Personal TrainingSee our website

for all special offers!

Expert Club Repair! - 25 Custom Shaft Upgrades In Stock!

2015 TOP 50

Lowest Golf BallPrices In Town!

GIFT CERTIFICATES!

GIFT CERTIFICATES!

LESSONS! RANGE!REPAIRS, MEMBERSHIPS!

GIFT CERTIFICATES!

STOCKINGSTUFFERS

COMPLETESETS

WEDGESPUTTERS