GOLF

The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club is just a few weeks away, so update your calendars.

In a conversation with Chapin resident and Head Pro at Patriot Golf Club Craig Malone, he gave me an idea that I am going to pass along.

If you are one of those who did not get the coveted ticket for The Masters and still want to watch great golf, consider going to the Big South Women’s Golf Championship at the Patriot Golf Club in Ninety Six on Lake Greenwood. It’s on the “Midlands Side” of the lake and depending on location could be less than an hour’s drive.

Here is what’s interesting about this year’s conference championship format - Match Play determines the champion. The Match Play format brings an element to college golf which, in my opinion, will make watching more fun.

Why you ask? This format brings aggressive play and high risk shots more into play while simultaneously speeding the game up. College players already have much of the firepower that pros have, so now, a “go for broke” strategy is going to be more prevalent.

Campbell College will serve as the host team this year. Other state teams aligned with the Big South include Winthrop, Presbyterian College and Charleston Southern.

The reason college golf is so much fun to watch is there is so much more emotion. It’s also somewhat interactive, meaning very few spectators are out and the players will acknowledge the fan applause.

The best part is many of the players will interact with spectators and initiate the conversation often.

Go to www.bigsouthsports.com to find the schedule/. If you have not visited the Patriot Golf Club, you are in for a treat. It’s absolutely gorgeous and, while on Lake Greenwood, the layout meanders through beautiful countryside.

This week’s tip is the best playing advice I ever got. If you want to learn how to play, watch better players play. If you want how to play well fast, exclusively study the best players play.

Now for some high school golf. Roger Smith, River Bluff High School boys and girls coach provided me with wonderful score board results.

The Northwoods Golf Club held a tri-match between A.C. Flora, Dutch Fork and RiverBluff. A.C Flora was the top team medalist and Ashton Eubanks of River Bluff was a medalist with a 3- over-par 39.

LinRick is holding The Inaugural Golf Classic on Friday, April 26. For more go to www.richlandcountyrecreation.com . It’s a 9 am shotgun start with an awards banquet immediately following. Call Lisa Lewis Hutcherson at (803) 741-7272 (Ext. 102) for questions.