Amateurs top pros in Palmetto Cup

The South Carolina Golf Association (amateur team) posted a 16 1/2-10 1/2 victory over the South Carolina PGA (professionals) in the annual Palmetto Cup Matches, played at Forest Lake in Columbia. Each team has 13 victories, with one tie and one rainout in the tournament's 28-year history.

Bulls Bay triumphant

Bulls Bay Golf Club, led by professional Terry Florence and consisting of Bill Smunk, Mo York and Joe Padgette, claimed the second Lathrop Cup title played at The Windermere Club in Blythewood. The team's score of 223, highlighted by an 8-under 64 by Smunk, was good enough for a one-shot margin. Golf Club of Star Fort won the pro-am portion of the tournament.

Cody wins another

Austin Cody of North Charleston closed out his South Carolina Junior Golf Association career by beating Chandler Brazeal by one stroke in the Cheraw Fall Challenge, played at Cheraw State Park. Cody posted rounds of 69 and 68, while Brazeal shot a pair of 69s. McKenize Talbert won the girls division.

Hurricane Junior Golf

Lushen Evans of Summerville finished third with a 79-67--146 in the boys 16-19 age group in the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour's Coastal Carolina Junior Shootout played at Pine Forest. Bobby Ballesteros of Myrtle Beach won the overall title with a 68-71--139. Grant Waggoner of North Charleston was second in the boys 13-15 age group, shooting 75-72--147. Reona Hirai of Summerville tied for first in the girls 15-19 age groupd but lost in a sudden death playoff after shooting 83-79--162.

Passbook on sale

The Charleston Area Golf Course Owners Association is now selling the 2009-10 Charleston Tee Times golf passbook. The passbooks are $159 plus handling and mailing and offer one round of golf, with a paid cart fee, at each of the following area courses: Charleston National, Coosaw Creek, Dunes West, Kiawah Island Resort (two rounds total at your choice of Cougar Point or Oak Point and choice of Turtle Point or Osprey Point; also, one round at the Ocean Course with a $100 surcharge for caddy), Legend Oaks, Stono Ferry, Miler, Patriots Point, Pine Forest, RiverTowne, Shadowmoss and Wild Dunes Links and Harbor.

All non-resort courses will offer cart fees of $20 per person plus tax while resort cart fees range from $25 to $50 per person.

The passbooks are good from Dec. 1, 2009 until Dec. 31, 2010, and certain restrictions apply. To order a passbook, visit www.charlestonteetime.com or call (843) 609-7612.

Dunes West honored

Dunes West Golf Club was named the 2009 Charleston Golf Course of the year by the Charleston Golf Course Owners Association. Criteria was exceptional quality of the course, exceptional quality of the management, outstanding contribution to the community and significant contribution to the game.

Rick Smith, superintendent at Legend Oaks Golf Club, was named the CGCOA's employee of the year. Criteria was recognized professionalism and integrity of the individual and outstanding service, exceptional quality of the employee's work and results; outstanding contribution by involvement in the local and state community and significant contribution to the game.

Heritage Pro-Am spots

Individuals are now able to purchase playing spots in the 2010 Verizon Heritage Pro-Am golf tournament. The pro-ams are played Monday and Wednesday of tournament week. Tournament badges and corporate hospitality packages also are available. Call the tournament office at (843) 671-2448.

Upcoming

--Dec. 5: Crowfield-Charleston Golf News Open Golf Challenge, Crowfield Golf and Country Club, 18-hole flighted stroke play, pro and championship division, men's senior and ladies flights, $60 per player, call (843) 764-4618.

--Dec. 13: Pet Helpers Golf Tournament, RiverTowne Country Club, $125 per player or $500 per team, e-mail chmfrye@aol.com.

Reach Tommy Braswell at (843) 937-5591 or e-mail braswell@postandcourier.com. Also, check out Lowcountry Links at www.postandcourier.com/blogs.