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Coharie & Verdict Ridge Reach Final
Glenn Carter and Dan Manning (right) earned a four-ball point for Verdict Ridge Golf & Country Club
PINEHURST, N.C. (November 19, 2016) – From 83 teams who began the 19th Carolinas Interclub season, the final four competed Saturday on Pinewild Country Club's Magnolia Course (Par 36-36--72, 6460 Yards). The format of the Carolinas Interclub is 12 player team competition with concurrent “singles” and “four-ball” match play formats in each match.
Related: Photo Gallery | East Region Finals Scoring | West Region Finals Scoring | History
Since the 'Regular Interclub' (open to men over age 18) began in 1997, three of the final four teams remaining this year had previously advanced to the semifinals. The Final Four rookie, Verdict Ridge Golf & Country Club from Denver, N.C. , made good on its first appearance, winning the West Region Finals.
"It's so special, being our first time here," said Verdict Ridge captain Glenn Carter. "We play golf for events like this."
The team of John Kolff and Kenneth Koval swept all three points of the opening match to give Verdict Ridge the early lead over 2008 champion Rock Hill Country Club, who was making its second consecutive final four appearance. Verdict Ridge was dominant in the individual matches, claiming seven of the twelve total points available in that format. It also won four of the possible six points from the four-ball matches for an 11 - 7 final score.
On the other side of the playoff bracket, Coharie Country Club of Clinton, N.C. and Willow Springs Country Club faced-off in the East Region Finals. Willow Springs from Wilson, N.C., runner-up in 2007 and 2014, claimed a 6 - 3 lead after the first three matches. Coharie would then overpower the final three matches, relinquishing just a half point to earn an 11.5 - 6.5 victory. The 2010 Interclub champions, the Coharie team knows how difficult it is to reach the final match. "I am proud of my team," said captain Randy Wiggins. " We were 3-3 in the regular season, then won some hard fought matches in the playoffs. We feel fortunate to be playing in the final."
The teams representing Verdict Ridge and Coharie will begin play for the Ben Payne trophy at 9:00am Sunday from the first tee at Pinewild Country Club's Magnolia Course.
Final Four Results
East Region Finals
Coharie Country Club 11.5 Willow Springs Country Club 6.5
West Region Finals
Verdict Ridge Golf & Country Club 11 Rock Hill Country Club 7
About the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA)
The CGA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization that was founded in 1909 to promote and to protect the game of golf in the Carolinas by providing competitions, education, support and benefits to golf clubs and golfers. The CGA is the second largest golf association in the country with over 700 member clubs represented by nearly 150,000 individuals.
The CGA annually conducts 43 championships and five team match competitions for men, women, juniors, and seniors. It also runs over 140 One-Day (net and gross) events and qualifying for USGA national championships. The CGA serves golf in the Carolinas with numerous programs such as: the USGA Handicap System; tournament management software and support; course measuring and course/slope ratings; agronomy consultation; answers about the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, and Handicapping; Carolinas Golf Magazine; Interclub series; Tarheel Youth Golf Association; Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame; expense assistance for USGA Junior and Girls' Junior qualifiers from the Carolinas; and the Carolinas Golf Foundation (CGF). The CGF has distributed more than $1,500,000 since 1977 to benefit Carolinas' golf initiatives including junior and women's programs.
For more information about the CGA, visit www.carolinasgolf.org.
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