What a week for Grand Strand sports fans
What a great week to be a Grand Strand sports fan.
It began on Sunday with a courageous U.S. Open victory by Dustin Johnson and continued at least through Friday night with a gritty Coastal Carolina baseball team.
Johnson, himself a product of Coastal Carolina University, finally broke through with a major championship, conquering a rugged Oakmont golf course that had bested all other of the world’s top golfers.
It was fitting that he had battled through a horrendous decision by the USGA, which told him he might -- might! -- be penalized after his round.
It seemed DJ might be on another bad track.
A penalty stroke on the final hole ruined his chance for the 2010 PGA Championship; a collapse on the final day of last year’s British Open killed his chances to win the Claret Jug; and a missed four-foot putt cost him an opportunity at last year’s U.S. Open.
It turned out the USGA, which later admitted its warning to Johnson was idiotic, played no role in his win and redemption came at last for the personable Johnson, who finally fulfilled his bright promise.
Johnson’s win on Sunday was followed by an even more improbable story for Grand Strand fans.
The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, playing in their first College World Series, defeated Florida, the No. 1 team in the country.
As of Friday afternoon, the Chants were two wins away from the championship round -- and they have taught the baseball world that a Chanticleer is a battling rooster, not a light fixture.
The CCU baseball team has always been a wonder.
In the 25 years I’ve been following it, this small school of just over 10,000 students has won about as many as it has lost against the big boys of college baseball -- Florida, yes, but also Florida State, North Carolina, N.C. State, Clemson and South Carolina.
Indeed, it fell just one run short in two games in the 2010 super regionals to a Gamecock team that went on to win its first national championship.
CCU’s baseball success always amazed me and one time, in the 1990s, I spoke to some players about it. I noted that several were from northern states and asked, “Why Coastal?”
The answers I most recall were 1) the chance to play outside in February and 2) the beach. As a one-time second baseman from Minnesota, I got it.
Obviously there was more to it, including Coastal’s record of success on the diamond.
This year, I notice a lot of locals on the team -- G.K. Young and Jordan Gore from Conway and Kevin Woodall from Georgetown, along with several other South Carolina players.
Win or lose, they have all done us proud.
Contact Bob Bestler at bestler6@tds.net.
This story was originally published June 24, 2016 at 4:55 PM with the headline "What a week for Grand Strand sports fans."