2002 Georgia-South Carolina Junior Challenge Match

South Carolina Overtakes Georgia, Wins Annual Match

ATLANTA, GA -South Carolina won five out of eight matches on the final day to edge Georgia 8 ½ to 7 ½ at the annual Georgia-South Carolina Junior Challenge Match held at Peachtree Golf Club in Atlanta.

Two of the five matches Georgia lost came down to the final holes, with Justin Cowart of Ellabell and Josh Tompkins each losing 2 and 1 to their opponents. Hogan Kaney of Newnan won the day's opening match 6 and 5. Also winning for Georgia were Chris Smith of Alpharetta and Georgia Junior Champion Brian Harman of Savannah. Harman defeated South Carolina's champion Zack Siefert 3 and 2 to close out the day. Harman, who will play in next week's U.S. Junior Championship, was the only return player from the 2001 team and holds an impressive 4-0 record in the event.

This was the 27th playing of the Georgia-South Carolina 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. Any necessary player substitutions followed the order of finish as well. The format was eight singles matches per day worth one point each, with a ½ point awarded to each team for matches that ended all square. Georgia still holds the edge in this event, with 17 wins to South Carolina's 10. Georgia won last year at Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken, S.C., 9 ½ to 6 ½.

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; three of the 10 2001 Walker Cup Team members, Nick Cassini, Lucas Glover and D.J. Trahan; and several Georgia Amateur Champions, Bill Bergin (1981), Carter Mize (1993-1994), Jack Croyle (2000); and Jonathan Shiflet (2002).

 

Final Points: South Carolina 8 ½ - Georgia 7 ½

Day Two Results
Hogan Kaney, Newnan, Ga. def. Daniel Bowden, Aiken, S.C., 6 and 5
Michael Chappell, Columbia, S.C. def. Justin Cowart, Ellabell, Ga., 2 and 1
Zack Martin, Pickens, S.C. def. Chase MacFarland, Savannah, Ga., 3 and 2
Josh Jackson, Edgefield, S.C. def. Jordan Carpenter, Peachtree City, Ga., 5 and 3
Vince Hatfield, Greenwood, S.C. def. Michael Gordy, Clarkesville, Ga., 4 and 3
Andor Pruitt, Cayce, S.C. def. Josh Tompkins, Acworth, Ga., 2 and 1
Chris Smith, Alpharetta, Ga. def. Joel McAlhaney, Aiken, S.C., 1 up
Brian Harman, Savannah, Ga. def. Zack Siefert, Simpsonville, S.C., 3 and 2
Day Two Points: Georgia 3 - South Carolina 5

Day One Results
Daniel Bowden, Aiken, S.C. def. Justin Cowart, Ellabell, Ga., 6 and 5
Hogan Kaney, Newnan, Ga. def. Michael Chappell, Columbia, S.C., 4 and 3
Zack Martin, Pickens, S.C. vs. Jordan Carpenter, Peachtree City, Ga., All Square
Chase MacFarland, Savannah, Ga. def. Josh Jackson, Edgefield, S.C., 1 up
Josh Tompkins, Acworth, Ga. def. Vince Hatfield, Greenwood, S.C., 1 up
Andor Pruitt, Cayce, S.C. def. Michael Gordy, Clarkesville, Ga., 2 and 1
Brian Harman, Savannah, Ga. def. Joel McAlhaney, Aiken, S.C., def. 5 and 3
Zack Siefert, Simpsonville, S.C. def. Chris Smith, Alpharetta , Ga., 4 and 2
Day One Points: Georgia 4 ½ - South Carolina 3 ½