2000 Georgia-South Carolina Junior Challenge Match

Georgia Wins GA-SC Junior Challenge Matches

ROCKY FACE, GA - South Carolina mounted a strong challenge, but it was not enough to keep Georgia from winning the 25th Georgia vs. South Carolina Junior Challenge Matches held at The Farm in Rocky Face July 21-22. The two teams spilt their eight matches today with Georgia winning overall 10-6.

At the start of play Georgia had a commanding 6-2 lead. In the first match Hogan Kaney of Newnan made quick work of Shane Birckbichler of Greenville 8 & 7, but then South Carolina won the next three matches. Georgia won two more matches and two matches ended all square and the points were split. There were eight matches played each day worth one point each. Both teams were comprised of the top eight finishers in each state's junior championship. This is Georgia's first win since 1997 and it now holds a 16-9 advantage over South Carolina.

This is the 25th playing of a competition that has a distinguished list of former competitors that reads like a who's who of golf. PGA Professionals Davis Love III, Gene Sauers and Larry Mize and many former State Amateur champions have competed for the Peach State including Bill Bergin (1981), Carter Mize (1993-94), and 2000 champion Jack Croyle of Moultrie. Three-time Junior champion Scott Volpitto of Augusta also competed and many current college standouts have played. They include: Nick Cassini (UGA), Wes Latimer (Georgia Tech) and John Engler (Clemson).

First Round Results

 

Hogan Kaney - Newnan vs. Nick Hughey - Gaffney GA won 2 & 1
Matthew Bart - Savannah vs. Shane Birckbichler - Greenville SC won 2 & 1
Joe Shirley - Marietta vs. Alex Hamilton - Aiken GA won 1 up
Tripp Coggins - Savannah vs. Dane Burkhart - Aiken GA won 1 up
Jon David Kennedy - Perry vs. Stephen Poole - Spartanburg GA won 2 up
Reb Benton - Douglas vs. Matt Bennett - Cheraw GA won 6 & 5
Brent Witcher - Duluth vs. Emerson Dyer - Conway SC won 4 & 2
Joe Morton - Waycross vs. Gavin Gillespie - Lexington GA won 1 up
First Round Totals - GA 6 - SC 2

Second Round Results

tHogan Kaney - Newnan vs. Shane Birckbichler - Greenville GA won 8 & 7
Matthew Bart - Savannah vs. Nick Hughey - Gaffney SC won 2 & 1
Joe Shirley - Marietta vs. Dane Burkhart - Aiken SC won 4 & 3
Tripp Coggins - Savannah vs. Alex Hamilton - Aiken SC won 4 & 3
Jon David Kennedy - Perry vs. Matt Bennett - Cheraw GA won 1 up
Reb Benton - Douglas vs. Stephen Poole - Spartanburg All Square
Brent Witcher - Duluth vs. Gavin Gillespie - Lexington All Square
Joe Morton - Waycross vs. Emerson Dyer - Conway GA won 2 & 1
Second Round Totals - GA 4 - SC 4

Final Totals - GA 10 - SC 6