SC junior golfers create memories for a lifetime with win in 2024 Watson Cup
Competition creates memories, and eight South Carolina junior golfers collected moments to cherish for a lifetime in winning the third Watson Cup over a team of youngsters from Scotland.
“A great group of kids who played impressive golf,” said Paul Woodbury, the South Carolina captain who grew up in the state’s junior program, played at USC and is now an acclaimed teaching professional.
“It was neat to see the kids interact in a different environment, a team atmosphere rather that playing as individuals. They’re remarkable, a great group.”
Their names are Dawson Szabo, Teddy Dunn, Harrison James, Will Ruth, Casey Kosney, Sage Bradshaw, Cade Kriscunas and Bennett Scarletta. They came from every corner of the state and combined for an impressive 32-16 triumph at Yeamans Hall Club near Charleston.
“It’s such a treat to play at Yeamans,” Woodbury said. “It’s such a classic course; they could hold the Ryder Cup at that venue. It’s that good.”
Indeed, playing at the Seth Raynor-designed course brought back special memories from his junior golf days for Woodbury.
“I played in the Georgia-South Carolina team matches at Yeamans and stayed in the cottages,” he said. “Thinking about that made me realize that this is a pretty special experience for them.”
The Scottish team spent a few days playing in the Hilton Head Island area before moving to Yeamans Hall for the third edition of the Watson Cup.
With three points at stake in each match, the home team took command on the opening day, racking up a 10-2 advantage in the morning’s alternate-shot competition and dominating the afternoon’s four-ball round 9-3. The South Carolinians finished their triumph with a 13-11 edge in singles.
“They such a great group and I think that’s why they played so well in the team format,” said Woodbury, one of the foremost instructors for junior players.
In addition to the golf, the Watson Cup features all the pomp and ceremonies of Walker and Ryder cups.
“That just adds to the experience and creates more memories,” said Biff Lathrop, executive director of the South Carolina Golf Association. “(The players) will look back and understand how fortunate they were to play this golf course. It’s a step back in time and a real treasure.”
The Watson Cup, named in honor of Hall of Famer Tom Watson, is modeled after the Walker and Ryder cups and pits a team of South Carolina juniors against a team of Scottish youngsters. Played every other year, the 2026 competition moves to Scotland.
Remembering Gus Sylvan. The state lost one of the stalwarts of South Carolina amateur golf with the recent death of Gus Sylvan.
“He probably played in more SCGA events than anyone, and he played well,” said Biff Lathrop, executive director of the South Carolina Golf Association.
Sylvan, an insurance agent and long-time member of Spring Valley CC, won the 1977 South Carolina Amateur and the 1971 Class AAAA individual championship in helping A.C. Flora win the state team title. He also won four Columbia City championships and captured the city event’s senior division three times.
“A great competitor,” said Bobby Foster, the long-time director of the Columbia city tourney. “I’m pretty sure he played in more city tournaments than anyone, and he was special both on and off the golf course.”
Chip shots. USC’s men’s team wrapped up the fall season with a fifth-place finish in the Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational in Saucier, Mississippi. Frankie Harris led the Gamecocks by sharing fourth individually. In their first season under coach Rob Bradley, USC had two thirds and a second in their other fall events. ... USC’s women, ranked third nationally, closed their fall slate with a fourth-place finish in the Jackson T. Stephens Cup in Oklahoma City. The Gamecocks finished fourth after three rounds of stroke play, then dropped a match-play duel to Wake Forest in the match-play portion of the tourney. ... Andrew Swanson shot a final-round 69 to lead Clemson to a ninth-place finish out of 14 teams at the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate in Alpharetta, Georgia. ... Catherine Shealy (Blythewood) and Ralph Gottlieb (Columbia) joined forces to win the WSCGA/SCGA Mixed Team title at the WildeWood Club. Pam Prescott (Piedmont) and David League (Travelers Rest) captured the senior division title. ... James Cillo (Aiken) won the SCGA’s Harry Wilson Super Senior Championship by three shots at Florence CC.
This story was originally published October 24, 2024 at 9:29 AM with the headline "SC junior golfers create memories for a lifetime with win in 2024 Watson Cup."