Welcome to the Two Down Press golf newsletter!

Where did this warm winter stretch come from?! We’ve absolutely stolen a few primo golf days over the last couple weeks in the Carolinas - makes up for the fact that we’re being deprived of our annual dose of Kapalua this weekend…

This week, we’re reacting to the 2026 Carolinas Golf Association schedule and breaking down everything you need to know about this year’s slate of tournament venues. CGA coverage is a big part of what we do here at 2DP and we’re excited to continue highlighting these fantastic events.

We also have a profile on a local golfer-turned-artist, results from the first CGA event of the year, and updates on a new resort course opening in 2026. Let’s dive in.

P.S. - don’t forget to complete our subscriber survey if you haven’t already…

THIS WEEK’S HEADLINE

The 2026 CGA Championship schedule is live (Men’s here, Women’s here)! While we don’t yet know who will fill the fields, the announcement of most of the venues gives us plenty to react to as we look ahead to another season of action. Here are our big takeaways from the recent schedule drop:

The venues for the Carolinas Mid-Amateur (Broomsedge) and Carolinas Women’s Amateur (Grandfather) are the clear standouts this year - these are the kind of courses that will have players chomping at the bit to register or try to qualify.

We’ve spilled a lot of ink about Broomsedge over the last year and for good reason. The Kyle Franz/Mike Koprowski co-design is entering it’s second full season and looks to build on the success of October’s Carolinas Invitational by hosting another high-profile event.

Grandfather has not been known for frequently hosting outside events, so it’s a true treat to see the club open it’s doors to the top female players in the Carolinas. The course, which was built in 1968 by Ross-protégé Ellis Maples, is known for its unique mountain routing (playing across the slopes rather than directly up or down), superb conditioning, and FAST greens. Ladies of 2DP - start packing your layers for those morning tee times and practicing your lag putting!

The Carolinas Amateur, arguably the biggest and most prestigious event on the calendar, is set to return to the Governors Club in Chapel Hill. The Jack Nicklaus-design is a stalwart in the unofficial Carolinas Am rota, having last hosted in 2019 when UNC’s Josh Martin successfully defended his title.

This time last year we were still searching for a host for this event, so it’s certainly a positive to have an experienced and willing host ready to go. It is a bit disappointing, however, to see this championship take place for a second consecutive year at a course that doesn’t crack the top 25 rankings for best courses in North Carolina. While the CGA is due some slack on this 2-year lull given the scheduling challenges in today’s golf market and their list of upcoming Carolinas Am sites (Country Club of Charleston, CCNC, and Carolina Golf Club), I’m ready to see this tournament return to some of the best venues in the Carolinas.

Even when giving the schedule a cursory glance, it’s notable how many frequent and repeat hosts make up the list. Given the aforementioned scheduling challenges and current golf landscape - one where many courses are closed for renovations and those that remain open are seeing more demand than ever - it’s an amazing logistical feat for the CGA to secure hosts for and execute all of the events on the calendar.

I’m absolutely missing some names, but shoutout to clubs like Camden, Keith Hills, Cowan’s Ford, Forest Oaks, and Waynesville who are hosting for consecutive years. Whether you periodically raise your hand to volunteer or carve out a weekend annually for an event, your willingness to give back to the golf community enables the CGA to put on a world-class slate of amateur events for players in the Carolinas. Thank you.

PRESENTED BY TWILIGHT GOLF CLUB

TGC is a CGA member club that supports equitable access to golf in North Carolina. With an active chapter in Charlotte, it’s a great way to meet other passionate golfers in town and play some competitive golf in a casual setting. Annual dues are $60 per year giving members access to:

Want to get involved? Visit the website for more details.

GOLF BIZ

When Charlotte’s Richard Lee retired 18 months ago, he quickly discovered the need for a calming, creative outlet to supplement his existing set of hobbies. "I knew I could only play so many rounds of golf a week and ride so many miles on my motorcycle," Lee explained. "I also wanted something to help me relax, quiet the churn in my mind, and get into a state of peace and flow."

With no formal training and little artistic experience, Lee dove headfirst into painting after a brief dalliance with photography. His approach to teaching himself how to paint? Select the most complex image possible - a photograph of the 15th green at Carolina Golf Club, which featured difficult to portray elements like trees, water, and an undulating putting surface - and set off to work. “The subtleties of the green were really tough to get right," Lee admitted. "I didn't know what I was doing. I literally went over and over playing with different techniques."

Lee’s work garnered some attention after he participated in a local art show in early 2025, but the tenuous realities of art and business quickly took their toll on the fledgling painter. After cranking out 9 paintings in his first 8 months, his new hobby "felt like a job by the end of the year," so he took a 6-month break to put the brushes away and rediscover the enjoyment he initially sought from the pursuit. Now, working primarily on word-of-mouth referrals, Lee has found his rhythm and is taking new commission requests for February/March 2026 delivery.

Lee’s style is a unique blend of realistic and whimsical. As a scratch golfer, he brings a player's eye to his work, highlighting the unique architectural features of a hole to give viewers a sense of how it might feel or play, but doesn’t let photographic accuracy get in the way of his artistic inspiration. "Stylistically, my goal is to evoke the feeling of being there, experiencing the time of day, and being able to appreciate the mood of the golf course," he says. "The end product will not be the replication of a photograph - you'll be able to see and feel something with greater dimension."

Ultimately, Lee’s attraction to the hobby stems from his desire to create something unique and personal. "In a world where technology continues to produce consistent and perfect output, I have a strong desire to create something original and even imperfect," he explains. "Technology doesn't have a 'point of view' but an artist does - it's very personal."

Explore Richard Lee’s full collection on his website. You can also follow Golf’s Rich Tapestry on Instagram or get in touch via email.

STORIES TO TRACK

Lewis, Roberts Win Carolinas Young Amateur: On the Men’s side, UNCG Sophomore and 2024/2024 SoCon Freshman of the Year Jake Lewis fired back-to-back rounds in the mid-60s to win by 3 at Mid South Club earlier this week. Playing alongside first round leader and eventual runner-up Robert Thompson, who opened with 64 on Monday, 19-year-old Lewis shot 32 on his final 9 to close out the tournament.

In the Women’s division, Clemson Senior Sydney Roberts entered the final round with a 3-shot lead after shooting 69 on the opening day. Kansas University’s Jillian Fatkin made a run on day 2 and was the only player under par in the second round, but a 73 was more than enough for Roberts to preserve her margin over the field.

Palmetto Bluff’s Anson Point Set to Open in 2026: The resort’s 3rd golf course was designed by Coore & Crenshaw and appears to occupy a beautiful site, featuring views of the marsh, exposed sand, and a routing winding through the coastal pine forest. While the course will be private, I suspect there will be some avenues for access available to resort guests.

HOUSEKEEPING

20+ readers completed our subscriber survey, but we’d love to double that number this week! I promise it’s short - just a few simple questions about your golf and what you’d like to see from 2DP in 2026. Thanks so much for your time, feedback, and support.

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