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SC - GA Team Matches
The Reserve at Lake Keowee - Sunset, SC
July 17-18, 2009

SC Junior Team Takes GA-SC Challenge Matches
Great conditions greeted the juniors participating on the final day of the 34^th edition of the Georgia-South Carolina Junior Challenge Matches on Saturday.  The Reserve at Lake Keowee Club, nestled in the hills at the base of the Appalachian Mountains in Sunset, South Carolina, hosted the 2009 version of the annual competition. After taking a commanding lead on day one, the South Carolina juniors didn’t let up on day two and earned 5 ½ of a possible eight points to win the 2009 Georgia South Carolina Challenge Matches with an overall two day score of 11 ½ to 4 ½.  This marks South Carolina’s 13^th win in the history of the Matches.

Matches started at 8:00 a.m. with Gaffney’s Adam Goings winning the opening Match at 1 Up.  Ben Fogler of Elgin (2 & 1) followed up his day one performance by earning another point for SC.  The only tie of the Matches came next with Damon Postal of Blythewood and Gus Wagoner of Duluth finished All Square.  Florence’s Stephen Behr, playing some great golf had another dominating performance riding six birdies on the front nine, defeated Zach Hartman of St. Simons Island 5 & 4.  It should be noted that Hartman was a late substitution for Anders Albertson of Woodstock.  The next two Matches went Georgia’s way with Jack Walsh and Will Evans defeating Brannan Hudson and Tate Hoisington respectively both at 2 & 1.  Once again the final two matches went in favor of the South Carolinians.  Cory Taylor of Greer took down Michael Garretson of Acworth, GA 3 & 2.  Lastly, in one of the closest Matches of the day after swapping multiple birdies, the SCGA Junior Champion, Isle of Palms resident Caulder Moore defeated Scott Wolfes of St. Simons Island to earn the final point for the team from South Carolina.

The format was singles match play with one point available per match.  If matches are tied at the end of 18 holes, each player receives half of a point.  It should be noted that of all 16 participants, only Stephen Behr of Florence, SC has previously played in the matches back in 2007.

This year, The Reserve at Lake Keowee Club stepped up to host the longest running interstate junior matches in the country for the 34^th consecutive year.  Teams from both states are selected by accepting the top eight finishers at each state’s Junior Championship.  The South Carolina team was solidified in June after the Championship was held at the Bulls Bay Golf Club.

Thirty-four years ago, Pete Cox of the Georgia State Golf Association and Charles Rountree, Jr. of the South Carolina Golf Association formalized the idea of the GA - SC team matches. The winning team has their victory inscribed on the beautiful Rountree - Cox trophy that was donated by the Rountree family.  Every junior that has participated in the 33 year old competition will find his name on the trophy with his teammates.  The Georgia teams have produced 21 victories as compared to the 12 for the SC teams.

The Junior Championship is one of 19 SCGA statewide championships, 80 one-day contests, nine USGA qualifiers, eight 40-plus tournaments and five special events conducted by the SCGA.  Results, schedules and applications may be accessed via the Internet at www.scgolf.org.