GOLF

Jim Williams, Jimmy Koosa, Tom Gwenski are PGA Hope certified golf professionals in our area.

Williams is the Midlands area leader and what this organization focuses on is introducing, developing, and facilitating golf for military Veterans.

According to Williams, the PGA Hope program introduces golf to veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being.”

Elizabeth Godega is the rehabilitation therapist who is with the VA hospital and the medical liaison.

Cobblestone Park is holding a golf clinic for approximately 25 military veterans this week that is a first of its kind. Jimmy Koosa, a Vietnam veteran and longtime area golf professional, has been instrumental in organizing this event.

“Mr Koosa has been amazing and I could not have coordinated this event without him”, commented Williams, who’s also an assistant professional at Cobblestone Park.

Between this event and another incredible golf event, staying ‘tuned’ to Chronicle Sports is strongly suggested for my intentions are to learn more about the PGA Hope program.

In addition, plans are to spotlight Steve Larick’s amazing repeat journey to the 2019 USGA Senior Open. The Golden Hills head professional once again qualified repeating last year’s accomplishment and will compete in this year’s event at the end of the month.

Unwrapping Larick’s secrets will be part of this writer’s objective. I can’t wait to learn then and pass this information along. Larick has the ability to shoot blazing low scores and apparently, he has learned to achieve this ‘on demand’.

More next week.

The Warren Golf Course at Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. will host the championship June 27-30.

The route to the U.S. Senior Open and almost all the PGA Tour’s “Open Field” events is through 1-day qualifying. That sounds right maybe to some people, but this is a fact. In one great round, a person can find themselves in the Major Leagues of golf. Think about the possibilities and get going.

If you already play, you have an advantage and if you don’t, start now.

This is one reason I love the introductory competitive offering of the SCJGA. The Hootie and the Blowfish Summer Series offers new players in the game a competitive entry around one day competitions. Go to www.scjga.org for more information.

Both Dustin Johnson and Wesley Bryan, both PGA Tour players got their golf competitive starts in the Tri-County Chapter. Chase Butler is the director of this chapter and he has a similar demeanor as the founder Buddy Bostian. Bostian was magical when it came to mixing fun with competition and Butler has the same characteristics.

A final note about the SCJGA Summer Series. For years, it’s been my observation that experienced junior golfers tend to think they “outgrow” the “Chapter” events.

I think this is a huge mistake. Learning to play great in 1 round events seems fairly important at all levels. A 2, 3 or 4 round events is simply 2, 3 or 4 1-day events played consecutively.

Timberlake Country Club, will join Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission, Riverside Golf Center and George Bryan Golf Academy with fitness expert Angie Duck-worth, Ken Taylor, golf professionals Matt Barton, Jimmy Koosa, Chase Butler, George Bryan IV, Brad Frick, Jared Beard, and impact coach John Brock in presenting a brand new youth and family golf, fitness, with recreation programming.

For a preview, visit www.growgolfnow.com .

PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Hannah Kumiyama of Lexington High School.

(1st Team)

Savana Rosson and Leah Kearse (both of Gilbert), Sarah Gordon and Allie Light (both of Lexington), Andrea Lyon, Hannah Goodwin and Shelby Davies (both of White Knoll), Jaylah Barr and Tiara Quattlebaum (both of Batesburg-Leesville), Julie HIlliard (Irmo), Hannah Fisher (Airport), Kyla Koch (Chapin), Brooke Tranum, Dallas Singleton and Emma Buzzhardt (all of Gray Collegiate).

(2nd Team)

Gracie Louk (Batesburg-Leesville), Madison Pride (Gilbert), Kayla Oswell (River Bluff), Saige Stanley, Jaci Fleming and Peri Rouillard (all of Lexington), Lexi Winters, McKenzie McElroy and Briannah Workman (all of White Knoll), Morgan Scott (Dutch Fork), Mackenzie Thackston and Jamaria Charley (both of Gray Collegiate), Lakyn Phil-

COACH OF THE YEAR - Laurie Epps of Lexington High School.

lips, Ashlynn Katon and Courtney Allen (all of Pelion), Cait lin Toole (Chapin).

PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Hannah Kumiyama (Lexington)

The University of South Carolina signee batted .581, had an on-base percentage of .636 and finished with 54 hits, 17 home runs, 17 doubles and 47 RBI in leading the Lady Wildcats to the Class 5A title.

COACH OF THE YEAR - Laurie Epps (Lexington)

In her first season, Epps led the Lady Wildcats to a 26-4 record and wins in 20 of their last 21 games to claim the school’s first softball title since 2001. Lexington also rallied from 0-1 down in the state final series to beat J.F. Byrnes.