2009 Georgia-South Carolina Junior Challenge Match

Georgia Falls to South Carolina, 11 ½ to 4 ½, in Junior Challenge Match
Lawrenceville's Jack Walsh Goes 2-0 in Georgia Effort

SUNSET, S.C. -- For the second day in a row, Georgia's juniors could not stop their counterparts from South Carolina, dropping five matches and halving another to fall 11 ½ to 4 ½ in the 34th annual Georgia-South Carolina Junior Challenge Match, which took place July 17-18 at The Reserve at Lake Keowee Club in Sunset, S.C.
Just like Friday's opening round, only two of the eight matches went the full 18 holes. South Carolina, which began the final day with a comfortable 6-2 lead, won the first two matches of the day. Adam Goins of Gaffney outlasted Ty Howze of Hahira, 1 up, while Ben Fogler of Columbia won over Henry Mabbett of Griffin, 2 and 1.

Duluth's Gus Wagoner was the first to put Georgia on the scoreboard Saturday, finishing All Square in his match with Damon Postal of Blythewood and earning a half-point. South Carolina responded, however, as Stephen Behr of Florence posted the most lopsided victory of the day, a 5-and-4 win over Zach Hartman of St. Simons Island. That victory also clinched the overall match for the Palmetto State.

Georgia posted two late wins, as Jack Walsh of Lawrenceville defeated Brannan Hudson of Columbia and Will Evans of McDonough upended Tate Hoisington of Hilton Head, each by a 2-and-1 margin. Walsh, who also won his Friday match, was the only Georgian to go 2-0 in the 2009 Challenge Match.

South Carolina iced their victory with wins in the final two matches, as Cory Taylor of Greer defeated Michael Garretson of Acworth, 3 and 2. In a matchup between the two states' reigning Junior Champions, Caulder Moore of Isle of Palms topped Scott Wolfes of St. Simons Island, 3 and 1.

This was the 34th playing of the Georgia-South Carolina Junior Challenge Match, which brings together the top junior golfers in the two neighboring states. Teams are composed of the top eight finishers from each state's Junior Championship. Despite this year's loss, Georgia still holds a 21-13 lead in the all-time series.

Many notable players have represented Georgia in this competition over the years, including PGA TOUR professionals Davis Love III, Gene Sauers, Bob Tway and Larry Mize and several Georgia Amateur Champions, including Bill Bergin (1981), Carter Mize (1993-1994), Jack Croyle (2000), Jonathan Shiflet (2002), Brian Harman (2005), Harris English (2007) and Russell Henley (2008-09).

Final Results

Round One Results: Friday, July 17
South Carolina 6, Georgia 2

 

Match 1 Adam Goins, Gaffney vs Henry Mabbett, Griffin Mabbett (GA), 2 and 1
Match 2 Ben Fogler, Columbia vs Ty Howze, Hahira Fogler (SC), 5 and 4
Match 3 Damon Postal, Blythewood vs Zach Hartman, St. Simons Island Postal (SC), 2 and 1
Match 4 Stephen Behr, Florence vs Gus Wagoner, Duluth Behr (SC), 4 and 2
Match 5 Brannan Hudson, Columbia vs Will Evans, McDonough Hudson (SC), 2 and 1
Match 6 Tate Hoisington, Hilton Head vs Jack Walsh, Lawrenceville Walsh (GA), 2 up
Match 7 Cory Taylor, Greer vs Scott Wolfes, St. Simons Island Taylor (SC), 1 up
Match 8 Caulder Moore, Isle of Palms vs Michael Garretson, Acworth Moore (SC), 5 and 4

 

Round Two Results: Saturday, July 18
South Carolina 5 1/2, Georgia 2 1/2

 

Match 1 Adam Goins, Gaffney vs Ty Howze, Hahira Goins (SC), 1 up
Match 2 Ben Fogler, Columbia vs Henry Mabbett, Griffin Fogler (SC), 2 and 1
Match 3 Damon Postal, Blythewood vs Gus Wagoner, Duluth All Square
Match 4 Stephen Behr, Florence vs Zach Hartman, St. Simons Island Behr (SC), 5 and 4
Match 5 Brannan Hudson, Columbia vs Jack Walsh, Lawrenceville Walsh (GA), 2 and 1
Match 6 Tate Hoisington, Hilton Head vs Will Evans, McDonough Evans (GA), 2 and 1
Match 7 Cory Taylor, Greer vs Michael Garretson, Acworth Taylor (SC), 3 and 2
Match 8 Caulder Moore, Isle of Palms vs Scott Wolfes, St. Simons Island Moore (SC), 3 and 1

 

Final Points: South Carolina 11 1/2, Georgia 4 1/2