Move to Members Club doesn’t impact Tilghman Junior popularity
A change of venue for the Charles Tilghman Carolinas PGA Junior Championship for the first time in the tournament’s 27-year history did nothing to slow the registration onslaught.
As usual, the tournament sold out within a matter of minutes after registration began on Sept. 29.
The tournament is being held Saturday and Sunday and has been moved to the Members Club at Grande Dunes for one year from its only home to date, the Surf Golf and Beach Club.
“We’re fortunate they were able to accommodate us and keep it in Myrtle Beach and keep the whole idea of the event, being a celebration of Mr. Tilghman and in his honor,” said CPGA tournament official Chris Gaines.
Surf Club general manager Tom Prough said course officials chose to alert the CPGA it wouldn’t host the tournament after deciding to change its greens to Champion Bermudagrass late this summer.
“When we had the problems with the greens this summer we didn’t want to take a chance,” Prough said. “… Putting in the Champion we were concerned about that time of year having 100 kids walk around, but the course is in great shape and we’ll be back doing it next year.”
When we had the problems with the greens this summer we didn’t want to take a chance … Putting in the Champion we were concerned about that time of year having 100 kids walk around, but the course is in great shape and we’ll be back doing it next year.
Surf Club GM Tom Prough
The tournament has a field of 96 players and 200 had signed up on the first day of registration.
The entry fee is $205 after being $185 last year, and the Puma-sponsored tee gift for each player includes Puma Ignite golf shoes, a hat, socks, towel and duffel bag containing the PGA crest.
Smith Knaffle of Murrells Inlet, who also won the 2016 Carolinas PGA Junior Championship, is returning to defend her girls title. Last year’s boys champion, Christian Salzer of Sumter, is playing at N.C. State.
Among exempt players who did not have to be among the first 96 to register include the sons, daughters or grandchildren of PGA of America professionals – of which there are 17 players this year – the top five in each division from the 2015 Tilghman, and the top five players in the Carolinas Golf Association’s rankings through mid-September. No. 2 Kathleen Sumner of Daniel Island and No. 3 Knaffle are entered, as is reigning George Holliday Memorial Junior winner Gracyn Burgess of Lexington.
Several more players from the Grand Strand are entered, including Patrick Golden of Murrells Inlet, Jackson Cole of Pawleys Island and Kevin Burris of Conway.
The top three players in each age and gender division will receive pewter plates, and overall winners receive crystal vases.
Alan Blondin: 843-626-0284, @alanblondin
This story was originally published December 5, 2016 at 9:51 PM with the headline "Move to Members Club doesn’t impact Tilghman Junior popularity."