Welcome to the Two Down Press golf newsletter!

We’re back with a Thursday 2DP! It feels like summer this week in Charlotte with temperatures returning to the mid-80s - at least we’re still getting some crisp mornings…

Our lead story this week is, in fact, weather related, as a couple local clubs scrambled to get big events completed over the weekend. We have results from the Club Championships at Carolina Golf Club and NorthStone Country Club, plus a recap of the recent CGA 100 Hole Hike from one of the participants. As always, we’ll catch you up on the local tournament scene and give you some more golf to track over the coming days. Let’s get right into this week’s newsletter!

PRESENTED BY

THIS WEEK’S HEADLINE

Club Champions Crowned at Carolina Golf Club, NorthStone Over Wet Weekend

Photo Credit: Carolina Golf Club, Club Champion David Yowell on the 18th green

Rain from Hurricane Isaias threatened to derail the Club Championship proceedings at both Carolina Golf Club and NorthStone Country Club over the weekend, but each was able to crown a champion amidst the wet weather.

At CGC, defending champion David Yowell entered the final round with a 2-shot lead over 2022 champion Sean Snell. Things got tight after Snell birdied 13 to cut the lead to 1, but Yowell made 7 consecutive pars to finish his round and preserve his 2-shot margin. View final leaderboard (GGID 26CGCCLUBCHAMP).

NorthStone did end up cancelling the final day of what was supposed to be a 54-hole event, which resulted in John Moheyer winning with a 36-hole total of 146 (+2). Daniel Welborn took the lead after opening with a 73 (+1), but Moheyer shot the round of the tournament on Saturday, a rain-soaked 72 (E), to jump into the lead and ultimately take home the trophy. View final leaderboard (GGID JLDVKG).

Congratulations to both David and John! We hope to see you both at the Charlotte City Amateur next summer.

PRESENTED BY TWILIGHT GOLF CLUB

The Twilight Golf Club tournament calendar culminates today with the Club Championship at Holly Ridge Golf Links! This 27-hole event starts with a series of flighted 9-hole matches before flight winners square off in a 3-hole aggregate playoff for all the marbles. Keep an eye out for results in next week’s 2DP.

Want to learn more about TGC events? Visit the website for more details.

2025 Champion Andrew Furr showing off his haul, which included a custom trophy designed by Ryan Thomas of Five Wood Furniture Company

LOCAL BEAT

CGA 100 Hole Hike Raises $37K+ for Youth on Course

Photo Credit: Carolinas Golf Association, The Cradle starter shack before sunrise at the 100 Hole Hike

On October 5th at The Cradle in Pinehurst, 24 golfers played 100+ holes to raise funds for equitable access to junior golf in the Carolinas!

The Carolinas Golf Association and the HV3 Foundation hosted the annual 100 Hole Hike to support Youth on Course. The Monterey, California-based organization is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and the CGA has been a partner in providing golf opportunities for youth ages 6-18 since 2018. A Youth on Course membership is only $25 and provides access to 180+ participating facilities for only $5... AND it includes a GHIN handicap!

Twilight Golf Club President Stephen Edwards was one of the hikers last week - here is his recap of what was an epic day!

I was honored to be asked by the CGA and the HV3 Foundation to participate in the 100 Hole Hike and immediately said yes! YOC provides affordable access to incredible courses across the Carolinas for kids just like my own. Golf has gotten very expensive, so having programs that give young people an affordable way to play the game we all love is awesome.

The day on The Cradle started with a 6:30 AM meet up for coffee, treats, and a few words about the mission. The golf kicked off with a ceremonial opening tee ball by Harold Varner III - a cool scene to start playing before the sun even came up!

There were 24 hikers in the field - 12 members of the CGA staff and 12 others committed to raising as much money as possible. I played throughout the day primarily with fellow sickos Charlie, JT, and Chris.

Photo Credit: Stephen Edwards, The Pinehurst clock before sunrise

The goal was simple: play as many holes as possible before Pinehurst opened up to resort tee times around 1:30 PM. We had to hurry! Chris, a CGA staffer and good buddy of mine, and I played a game of "Cradle Ringer," taking our best score on each hole throughout the day to create a 9-hole total. Both of us finished at -8 after 15 attempts. Sadly, hole #1's pin location got the best of us, and neither of us were able to get a birdie to drop!

Photo Credit: Stephen Edwards, Fall flags out at The Cradle!

I had some pledges based on holes played and birdies, so I made sure to go above and beyond the required 100. I ended up playing 135 holes and making 26 birdies, though an ace escaped me (tough pins!). I kept the day going to keep raising money and get to my personal goal of 150 holes (sorry Dad...) by playing an extra 18 on Pinehurst No. 3 with friends Brian, Adam, and Carver. To settle an open bet, Carver and I played an E9 on the Cradle and a putting match on Thistle Dhu.

Photo Credit: Stephen Edwards, Sunset over Thistle Dhu and The Cradle

Final Stats:

162 holes
26 birdies, but no ace…
37k steps and 16 miles walked
Almost $7K and 900 YOC rounds raised
Countless waters, snacks, and a Pinehurst brew or 2!

As a group we raised $37k+ thus far and donation links are still open, so I hope you will consider adding to the total! If you want to learn more about participating in a 100 Hole Hike, getting your child involved with Youth on Course, or how to find a participating facility (like Old Field!), check out more information here.

STORIES TO TRACK

Youngsters Secure Dramatic Victory at NC Four-Ball: Fayetteville’s Ryan Hedgecoe (16) and Nate Horne (15) won last weekend’s North Carolina Four-Ball Championship at Holly Ridge Golf Links with a 54-hole total of -25! Tied for the lead playing the 18th hole, Hedgecoe made a 40-footer for eagle to seal a 2-shot victory over John John Santospago and James Fisher. View final leaderboard.

Captain’s Putter Matches Set for This Weekend: The annual Carolinas vs. Virginias team match play event begins on Friday at Cedar Point Club in Suffolk, Virginia. Charlotte City Am runner-up Scott Hamel is representing the Carolinas team, as is Carolina Golf Club’s Lenny Nash, who recently finished T4 at the Carolinas Senior Amateur. Follow live scoring.

U.S. Four-Ball Qualifying Wraps at Mill Creek: 2 Men’s and 4 Women’s teams qualified earlier this week at Mill Creek Golf Club in Mebane for upcoming USGA championships. Preston and Brandon Dembowiak took medalist honors on the Men’s side with a score of 65 (-7), while Jenna Kim and Victoria Davis shared the spoils with Reece Hart and Anna Howerton, as both teams shot 64 (-8). View full scoring (Men’s and Women’s).

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