The Charleston and Myrtle Beach Golfweek Amateur Tours gathered at picturesque Rivertowne Country Club on Sat Aug 13^th for “The Battle of HWY 17”  The course was in great shape and although t was hot the weather cooperated with zero rain clouds but added a touch of Charleston wind to make things interesting. 

The Champ Flight had some real strong play with Jeff Emory and Mark Mullery from the Myrtle Beach tour both posting nice rounds of 76 only to finish four shots back of the Winner John Ashmore from Charleston who fired a round of 72 with an eagle and three birdies for the round of the day.  The A flight had some very interesting proceedings…….you would have thought this was a USGA event!! Patrick Gamblin, Will Galtney and Andy Matroni all fired rounds of 79.  They took to hole one for a oncourse playoff and that is where it got interesting.  After Patrick made a bomb for par and Will tapped in for a five, Andy, who was a guest on Sat, may or may not have touched his ball.  One thing is for sure, it did move/oscillate and then he proceeded to make the putt.  After the group consulted it was determined “it was a greater probability” that he may have caused the ball to move. So being the fine gentlemen he is, Andy conceded and Patrick was declared the winner.  To make matters abit worse, the second and third place was determined by a scorecard playoff between Will and Andy.  Will had smoked the back nine for a 37 while Andy struggled to a 43.  Either way it was great playing by all three.  Also, new comer John Lucas finished in fourth with a solid round of 80.  The B flight saw a first as Billy Gamblin, Patricks father captured the B flight with a steady round of 81 to outdistance four guys who shot 82. That is the first Father Son Champs in the smae round in Charleston's Golfweek history! Partick Toole of Myrtle Beach, Greg Moses also from MB and two Charleston players, Jerry Mast and Matt Root. Four guys with only three spots…the show of cards determined the order; Patrick Toole took second by firing a back nine score of 37. Jerry Mast took third via his back nine of 40.  Greg and Matt both shot 42 on the back but Greg took fourth due to his 28 on the last six over Matt’s 29. 

The C flight was a bit easier as Cindy Greenwald from Myrtlebeach posted a nice round of 83 for a one shot victory over Richard Douglas.  The D Flight saw a return to the winners circle for John Wilson as he fired an 84 for a four shot victory over Aaron Chase. 

We had three Super Skins that paid $200.00 and 39 Birdies in the Birdie Bash paying $15.00 each.  Beth Hunt from the Beach won two CTP’s while Biff Huff, Chris Gamblin and Billy Gamblin won the other three.  Our next event is the Grand Strand Classic in Myrtle Beach and our next Local event will be Ocean Winds on Seabrook Island on Sep 10^th.  Please sign up early for this event.