Wire-to-Wire for Grainger-Cloninger
Jim Grainger-Rick Cloninger
SIX MILE, S.C. – Final results of the 47th Carolinas Senior Four-Ball Championship hosted by The Cliffs at Keowee Springs in Six Mile, S.C. on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 (6392 yards, par 36-36—72, 71.0/136).
Jim Grainger of Charlotte, N.C. and Rick Cloninger of Fort Mill, S.C. posted a final round 68 to finish at 194 (22-under par) and complete a wire-to-wire victory at The Cliffs at Keowee Springs.
Starting five strokes back and paired with Grainger-Cloninger, Gary Robinson of Fayetteville, N.C. and Keith Waters of Raleigh, N.C. gave their best shot by quickly climbing within two shots of the lead after six holes but that was close as they would find themselves finishing two shots back at 196.
Being the reigning Carolinas Senior Amateur champion (Grainger) and reigning South Carolina Senior Amateur champion (Cloninger), the duo was occasionally referred to as the “Dream Team” throughout the championship by their peers.
“There was definitely some added pressure being called the “Dream Team”, Cloninger remarked. “Shooting 61 in the first round only gave us a one stroke lead but it set us up to be in contention for the championship which was our goal. Fortunately for us today after only having a two shot lead after six holes, we did not give up any ground during the period of rain in the middle of the round. That was key for us”. Rain fell for about an hour and 20 minutes in the middle of the round but never heavy enough to halt play.
Grainger collects his fifth CGA title (1976 Carolinas Father-Son, 1986 Carolinas Four-Ball, 2012 N.C. Senior Four-Ball, 2014 Carolinas Senior Amateur) while Cloninger claims his fourth (2003 Carolinas Mid-Amateur, 2012-13 Carolinas Senior Amateur).
The championship title is bittersweet for Grainger as his traditional four-ball partner, reigning North Carolina Senior Amateur champion Jim Pearson of Charlotte, was unable to play this year due to recovering from a surgical procedure.
Defending champion Ron Carpenter of Creedmoor, N.C. and Gary Brown of Charlotte, N.C. posted a 71 to finish at 209 and tied for 15th place.
The average score in round three was 69.97 and 71.8 for the championship.
The championship is contested over 54 holes of four-ball stroke play. After 36 holes, the field of 88 teams was cut to the low 30 scores and ties for the final round. The cut line fell at 141.
The Carolinas Senior Four-Ball Championship is open to any male amateur golfer who has reached his 55th birthday by April 27, is a resident of North Carolina or South Carolina, is a member in good standing of a club which is a member of the Carolinas Golf Association and has an active USGA Handicap Index® at a CGA member club.
The CGA thanks the staff at The Cliffs at Keowee Springs for their hospitality and assistance conducting this championship. The event was the first CGA championship hosted by The Cliffs.
Hole-by-Hole Scoring: https://www.ghintpp.com/carolinasgolf/TPPOnlineScoring/ResultsStroke.aspx?id=1190
Final Results
Place |
Team |
Score |
Amt. Won |
1 |
Jim Grainger, Charlotte, N.C. - Rick Cloninger, Fort Mill, S.C. |
61-65-68--194 (-22) |
$1,200.00 |
2 |
Gary Robinson, Fayetteville, N.C. - Keith Waters, Raleigh, N.C. |
62-69-65--196 (-20) |
$800.00 |
3 |
Russ Perry, Winston Salem, N.C. - Mark Stephens, Troutman, N.C. |
65-68-68--201 (-15) |
$700.00 |
4 |
Brad Burris, High Point, N.C. - Kevin King, Bluffton, S.C. |
66-69-67--202 (-14) |
$600.00 |
5 |
David Boaz, Denver, N.C. - Jerry Sennett, Stanley, N.C. |
67-67-69--203 (-13) |
$500.00 |
T6 |
Larry Penley, Central, S.C. - Bill Smunk, Kingstree, S.C. |
68-67-69--204 (-12) |
$325.00 |
T6 |
Tim Teaster, Columbia, S.C. - Mike Gravley, Greer, S.C. |
65-71-68--204 (-12) |
$325.00 |
T6 |
John Rudolph, Charlotte, N.C. - David Strawn, Charlotte, N.C. |
71-66-67--204 (-12) |
$325.00 |
9 |
Bernie Shealy, Columbia, S.C. - Walter Odiorne, Blythewood, S.C. |
68-70-67--205 (-11) |
$250.00 |
T10 |
Preston Edmondson, Morrisville, N.C. - Scott McClellan, Cary, N.C. |
71-66-69--206 (-10) |
$215.00 |
T10 |
Doug Owens, Albemarle, N.C. - Charlie Parks, Asheboro, N.C. |
67-71-68--206 (-10) |
$215.00 |
T12 |
Robert Hoffman, Greenville , S.C. - Scott Kabas, Greenville, S.C. |
70-69-68--207 (-9) |
$190.00 |
T12 |
Dennis Helms, Monroe, N.C. - Dave Davis, Greensboro, N.C. |
66-69-72--207 (-9) |
$190.00 |
T12 |
Grant Hoffman, Asheboro, N.C. - John Helms, Mt. Holly, N.C. |
72-69-66--207 (-9) |
$190.00 |
T15 |
Lawrence Hicks, Greensboro, N.C. - Gus Sylvan, Columbia, S.C. |
69-70-70--209 (-7) |
$165.00 |
T15 |
Barry Mullinax, Travelers Rest, S.C. - Ben Whipple, Marietta, S.C. |
71-70-68--209 (-7) |
$165.00 |
T15 |
Randy Beeson, Colfax, N.C. - Arlis Pike, Kernersville, N.C. |
71-69-69--209 (-7) |
$165.00 |
T15 |
JD Lawson, Greensboro, N.C. - Mike Murray, Greensboro, N.C. |
66-69-74--209 (-7) |
$165.00 |
T15 |
Ron Carpenter, Creedmoor, N.C. - Gary Brown, Charlotte, N.C. |
69-69-71--209 (-7) |
$165.00 |
T20 |
Frank Wrenn III, Greenville, S.C. - Frank Ford III, Charleston, S.C. |
69-71-70--210 (-6) |
$50.00 |
T20 |
Jackson Hughes Jr, Greenville, S.C. - Matt Grandy, Greenville, S.C. |
71-69-70--210 (-6) |
$50.00 |
T20 |
Cliff Seastrunk, Raleigh, N.C. - Lennie Barton, Raleigh, N.C. |
63-74-73--210 (-6) |
$50.00 |
23 |
Wayne Rogers, Easley, S.C. - Doug Tooke, Greenville, S.C. |
72-69-70--211 (-5) |
|
T24 |
Robert Desjardins, Matthews, N.C. - Bill Boles Jr., Wilson, N.C. |
69-71-72--212 (-4) |
|
T24 |
Scott Danals, Bryson City, N.C. - Phil Blake, Asheville, N.C. |
75-66-71--212 (-4) |
|
T24 |
Edward Mills, Fairview, N.C. - John Mitchell, Asheville, N.C. |
71-70-71--212 (-4) |
|
27 |
John Warner, Clemson, S.C. - Jim Van Ooteghem, Seneca, S.C. |
72-68-74--214 (-2) |
|
28 |
Robert Bennett Jr, Cheraw, S.C. - James Hamilton, Aiken, S.C. |
70-71-74--215 (-1) |
|
29 |
Rick LaFata, Raleigh, N.C. - Dennis Howard, Raleigh, N.C. |
75-66-75--216 (Even) |
|
30 |
Jim Gallagher, Charlotte, N.C. - Todd Turner, West End, N.C. |
70-71-76--217 (+1) |
Failed to Qualify for Final Round
T31 |
Mark Wagner, Statesville, N.C. - Dick Hogan, Burlington, N.C. |
72-70--142 (-2) |
T31 |
Joel Stoudenmire, Greer, S.C. - Mike Mahoney, Greeleyville, S.C. |
69-73--142 (-2) |
T31 |
Robert Johnson, Greenville, S.C. - Jim Edmonds, Simpsonville, S.C. |
70-72--142 (-2) |
T31 |
Ricky Capps, Easley, S.C. - Mike Rogers, Easley, S.C. |
73-69--142 (-2) |
T35 |
Paul Simson, Raleigh, N.C. - Don Detweiler, Raleigh, N.C. |
69-74--143 (-1) |
T35 |
John Cottrell Jr, Gilbert, S.C. - Mitch Whitley, Zebulon, N.C. |
72-71--143 (-1) |
T35 |
Michael Roland, Winston Salem, N.C. - Gerald Carter, Winston Salem, N.C. |
72-71--143 (-1) |
T35 |
John Stratton, Greensboro, N.C. - Bill Burling, Greensboro, N.C. |
71-72--143 (-1) |
T35 |
Lee Keesler, Charlotte, N.C. - Doug Buchanan, Charlotte, N.C. |
71-72--143 (-1) |
T35 |
Bill Beal, Matthews, N.C. - Bob Olsen, Monroe, N.C. |
69-74--143 (-1) |
T41 |
Steve Lambert, Greensboro, N.C. - Garland Yates, Asheboro, N.C. |
71-73--144 (Even) |
T41 |
Mike Bivins, High Point, N.C. - David Millis, High Point, N.C. |
73-71--144 (Even) |
T41 |
Joe Padgette, N. Charleston, S.C. - Rodney Austin, Wellford, S.C. |
73-71--144 (Even) |
T41 |
Nick Avery, Goose Creek, S.C. - Roger Newsome, Moncks Corner, S.C. |
71-73--144 (Even) |
T41 |
Brian Hayden, Bluffton, S.C. - Art Arns, Bluffton, S.C. |
69-75--144 (Even) |
T41 |
Tom Parker, Stanley, N.C. - Ken Rada, Anderson, S.C. |
72-72--144 (Even) |
T47 |
Bill Thaxton, Monroe, N.C. - Charlie Moore, N. Myrtle Beach, S.C. |
75-70--145 (+1) |
T47 |
Phil Bland, Waynesville, N.C. - Mark Willis, West End, N.C. |
71-74--145 (+1) |
T47 |
Ed Donlin, Concord, N.C. - Jim Hunsuck, Troutman, N.C. |
72-73--145 (+1) |
T47 |
George Leight Jr., Apex, N.C. - Lee Morris, Raleigh, N.C. |
70-75--145 (+1) |
T47 |
Michael Wooles, Anderson, S.C. - Dave Bradosky, Anderson, S.C. |
71-74--145 (+1) |
T47 |
Steve Addyman, Fountain Inn, S.C. - Mike Minyard, Simpsonville, S.C. |
72-73--145 (+1) |
T47 |
Barry DeLapp, Hendersonville , N.C. - Ted Coia, Simpsonville, S.C. |
70-75--145 (+1) |
T47 |
Tim Nix, Landrum, S.C. - Bill Robinson, Campobello, S.C. |
73-72--145 (+1) |
T55 |
Ernie Newton, Winston salem, N.C. - Garry Brown, Oak Island, N.C. |
74-72--146 (+2) |
T55 |
Rock Pickard, Mooresville, N.C. - Steve Mervin, Concord, N.C. |
73-73--146 (+2) |
T55 |
Jack Nance, Pinehurst, N.C. - Keith Hiller, Clemmons, N.C. |
74-72--146 (+2) |
T55 |
Gene Wetmore, Spartanburg, S.C. - Norman Page, Woodruff, S.C. |
70-76--146 (+2) |
T55 |
Mallory McDaniel, Kannapolis, N.C. - Jim Christy, China Grove, N.C. |
73-73--146 (+2) |
T60 |
Joe Stepp, Hickory, N.C. - Mike Mackie, Granite Falls, N.C. |
71-76--147 (+3) |
T60 |
Rusty Crutchfield, Fletcher, N.C. - Roger Baldwin, Etowah, N.C. |
73-74--147 (+3) |
T60 |
David Watterworth, Charlotte, N.C. - Greg Powell, Charlotte, N.C. |
74-73--147 (+3) |
T63 |
Doug Brown, Greer, S.C. - Marc Hiott, Pickens, S.C. |
74-74--148 (+4) |
T63 |
Russ McLauchlan, Fuquay-Varina, N.C. - Terry Rathman, Gastonia, N.C. |
74-74--148 (+4) |
T63 |
Paul Manikowski, Greenville, S.C. - Lynn Martin, Travelers Rest, S.C. |
75-73--148 (+4) |
T66 |
Mo York, Mt Pleasant, S.C. - Gil Happel, Oak Ridge, N.C. |
77-72--149 (+5) |
T66 |
Billy Poteat, Hickory, N.C. - Joe Tripp, Wilmington, N.C. |
76-73--149 (+5) |
T66 |
Anthony Kaduk, Sunset, S.C. - Don Green, Salem, S.C. |
75-74--149 (+5) |
T69 |
Jeff Lyda, Simpsonville, S.C. - Mark Souza, Simpsonville, S.C. |
75-75--150 (+6) |
T69 |
Ray Novicki, Southern Pines, N.C. - Norman Davis Jr, Charlotte, N.C. |
74-76--150 (+6) |
T69 |
David Herndon, Lexington, S.C. - George Ballentine Jr., Greenwood, S.C. |
79-71--150 (+6) |
T69 |
Larry Westcott, Lancaster, S.C. - James Haire, Lancaster, S.C. |
77-73--150 (+6) |
T69 |
Thad Roberts, Landrum, S.C. - Tom Crain, Landrum, S.C. |
76-74--150 (+6) |
T74 |
Bob Hammersla, Greenville, S.C. - Jim Burgess, Murrells Inlet, S.C. |
77-74--151 (+7) |
T74 |
Lennie Younce, Lenoir, N.C. - Dan Anderson, Lenoir, N.C. |
77-74--151 (+7) |
T74 |
Mike Schmid, Monroe, N.C. - Steve Crow, Monroe, N.C. |
75-76--151 (+7) |
T74 |
Van Pernell, Hickory, N.C. - Steve Southern, Bluffton, S.C. |
73-78--151 (+7) |
T74 |
James Brown, High Point, N.C. - David Tuttle, High Point, N.C. |
76-75--151 (+7) |
T74 |
Dean Gosnell, Greenville, S.C. - Rich Haddad, Greer, S.C. |
77-74--151 (+7) |
T80 |
Charlie Thompson, Hendersonville, N.C. - Dave Owens, Hendersonville, N.C. |
77-75--152 (+8) |
T80 |
Gary Schatz, Fort Mill, S.C. - Johnny Colvard, Gastonia, N.C. |
72-80--152 (+8) |
T82 |
Tom Carbone, Mooresville, N.C. - Jeff Hughes, Stanley, N.C. |
77-76--153 (+9) |
T82 |
James Glenn, Spartanburg, S.C. - Steven Glenn, Prosperity, S.C. |
77-76--153 (+9) |
T82 |
Sam Herb, Taylors, S.C. - Bill Weeks, Greenville, S.C. |
76-77--153 (+9) |
85 |
Willie Huff, Greenville, S.C. - Rick Oyervides, Greer, S.C. |
73-81--154 (+10) |
86 |
Jerry Davis, Hendersonville, N.C. - David Barnard, Nebo, N.C. |
79-78--157 (+13) |
87 |
David Riley, Greenville, S.C. - Scott Talley, Greenville, S.C. |
79-79--158 (+14) |
88 |
Mark Groce, Greenville, S.C. - Dana Oldham, Greer, S.C. |
79-82--161 (+17) |
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.
Now in its 106th year, 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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