GOLF

Molly Hardwick of Lexington High School had an incredible victory on the venue of next year’s U.S. Women’s Open, the Country Club of Charleston.

The high school freshman and member of the defending Class 5A girls’ golf champion Lady Wildcats edged out a former local Mary Katherine “MK” Talledo to win the 2018 Beth Daniel Azalea Junior championship.

Incidentally, the 15-year-old Talledo, a high school sophomore now playing at Boiling Springs High school, recently moved to Spartan-burg in January.

Hardwick, who earned her 1-shot victory, scored 3-over-par during the 36 hole competition.

“This is her first major win. It’s nice to see her hard work pay off,” commented her joyous dad Jay.

The 14-year old got her start in golf just four years ago at Rock Hill Country Club. Her first recorded S.C. Junior Golf Association score was a 132 and it’s apparent Hardwick has quickly developed incredible skill in a very short period of time.

A second place finish at the Jimmy Self earlier in the summer was highlighted by a final round personal-best

69.

So there were hints of a breakthrough.

Next weeks article will spotlight Molly Hardwick’s competitive journey, so be sure to “stay tuned!”

Speaking of youth competition, the SCJGA conducted it’s Hootie Summer Series All-Star event at the Patriot at Grand Harbor this past weekend.

The event had numerous locals entered and congratulations to the following players: Trust Winters, Gavin Gaskins, Liam Stilwell, Chase Cline, Roman Mullinax, Jack Cuneo, Blain Williams, PJ Jacobs, Mavrick Mullinax, Kennedy Gooding and Emily Baker.

In closing this article, I want to pass along the best information I have ever learned about playing golf, inspired Larry Bosewell.

He’s a former South Carolina and Carolinas Amateur Champion who I ran into at last week’s Windham Championship in Greensboro.

Bosewell helped me on the course with playing skills and the first suggestion he gave me was the best I have still ever known.

“If you want to learn how to play better, watch skilled players play. Watch them play, then watch them practice,” he said.

“Play with them, practice with them if possible.”

I’ll add this, ask them questions, and engage in conversation. I would pick their playing brains and find out details in their playing perspective.

The next step is to implement the ideas, so go have some golf “fun-work”.