GOLF

Molly Hardwick has had a breakthrough summer in golf.

She provided complete validation with a win in the Beth Daniel Junior Azalea at the Country Club of Charleston a couple of weeks ago. It was the 14-year old’s best golf in competition to date.

“For Molly’s first major victory to be at Country Club of Charleston and at the Beth Daniel Junior Azalea is just incredible,” commented her father, Jay Hardwick. “What an opportunity and what an honor. We are grateful to all who helped make it happen.”

At the Jimmy Self earlier in the summer, there was an indicator that something special was on the horizon. The Lexington Lady Wildcat freshman golf team member had a solid top 10 finish shooting 75-74-149.

She then went to the Jimmy Self and scored a personal record 69 in the final round which earned her second place.

Her game came into form, earning her first major championship victory at the course that will host next year’s U.S. Women’s Open.

“She has worked so hard and been so close to breaking through these last few months - we’re really happy for her to see the hard work pay off,” commented the joyous Jay Hardwick.

According to Alan Knight of the South Carolina Junior Golf Association, Molly is the second youngest champion of the event. Mackenzie Tolbert is the youngest winner to date and she was

13.

The 14-year old does enjoy golf, but she has many other interests. She bypassed several golf competitions early in the summer to be part of a youth Christian camp and ministry. Her acceptance comments at the Country Club of Charleston after her victory reflects her heart, humility and character at a very early age.

“First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for saving me and giving me new life,” she said. “In everything I do, I want to honor and glorify him.”

Simply to report this is uplifting for this 57-year-old soon to be granddaddy.

Next week’s objective is to provide an update on the Stephenson sisters.

On an educational note, indoor practice is growing rapidly now and my editor has greenlighted a series that will start soon.

So here is a teaser.

There already is at least one golf lab and Indoor Simulator that is accessible to the public locally. Before making a public announcement, I intend to research the facilities in the Midlands to highlight equitably.

For anyone thinking indoor practice is a brand new idea, hold on a second. When I first visited East Lake Country Club in Atlanta, Ga. in 1987, I witnessed remnants of actual netting hanging from the ceiling in the attic of the club house where Bobby Jones practiced in the early 1900s. He wrote about it, and there were pictures. Jack Nicklaus practiced in his basement in late 1950s and 1960s and he wrote about it, too.

Our “simulator play and indoor practice series” will be hopefully inspire you to pursue another avenue to participate in golf.

The Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission Winter Youth Golf Tour is now open for registration and the parent/junior orientation meeting is scheduled for Dec. 2, 2018 at Seven Oaks Park. The “Tour” will run Sundays Dec. 9 - Feb. 24. Please call

(803) 772-336 or (803) 345-6181 for more information.