In the annual Palmetto Cup Matches between the amateurs and golf professionals of South Carolina history has proven that when the SCGA amateurs win, it is never by a large margin and the outcome is always decided by the last couple matches. The 20th annual event played at Florence Country Club proved to be no exception.
The end of round one, which is played in two man, selected drive, alternate shot format, found the amateurs leading by a 17 -10 score. Three matches found the amateurs capturing all three possible points - included the # 1 featured match which saw amateurs Gus Sylvan and Steve Liebler turn back the professional duo of Tim Dunlavey and Phil Bland. With a possible 54 points available in round two, the seven point lead was tenuous at best.
The second round consisted of 18 singles matches worth 3 points per match. With the early matches posted, the amateurs were adding to the first day’s lead and seemingly on their way to an easy victory.
The professionals having dominated the series (11-6-1), charged forward as the middle matches swung in their favor. With the finale match between amateur Robert Dargan and professional Tim Dunlavey on the 18th tee, the score was 39 1/2 to 38 1/2 in favor of the amateurs.
Dargan, knowing that a loss of the hole would result in a 40 1/2 - 40 1/2 tie, he responded with a birdie 4 as Dunlavey could not answer the challenge. Dargan’s 2 1/2 -1/2 win allowed the SCGA amateurs to take a 42-39 victory and hold possession of the trophy for the next year.
The series now stands at 11-7-1 in favor of the professionals. The 1997 matches were rained out while the 1986 matches ended in a tie.
Results follow:
| 2001
Palmetto Cup Results
SCGA vs. SCPGA |
||||||
| Sunday’s Alternate Shot Pairings | ||||||
| Pts | Pts | |||||
| Gus Sylvan | Phil Bland | |||||
| Steve Liebler | 3 | vs. | Tim Dunlavey | 0 | ||
| Robert Dargan | David Lamb | |||||
| David Dargan | 1 | vs. | Jim Fellner | 2 | ||
| Brad Krapfel | Brooks Blackburn | |||||
| Eddie Hargett | 0.5 | vs. | Steve Behr | 2.5 | ||
| Kevin King | Terry Johnson | |||||
| Bert Atkinson | 2.5 | vs. | Clem King | 0.5 | ||
| Srs | Bob Stringer | Vic Lipscomb | ||||
| Vic Hannon | 3 | vs. | Ronnie Cauthen | 0 | ||
| Mike Bright | Randy Few | |||||
| Mike Gravley | 2 | vs. | Steve Larick | 1 | ||
| Jimmy Hawkins | Kim Cauthen | |||||
| Lee Palms | 3 | vs. | Brian Lamb | 0 | ||
| Sammy Truett | Simons Cuthbert | |||||
| Frank Ford III | 0 | vs. | Ray Franz | 3 | ||
| Daran Womack | George Bryan | |||||
| Walter Todd | 2 | vs. | Greg McBride | 1 | ||
| Team Total | 17 | Team Total | 10 | |||
| Monday’s Singles Pairings | ||||||
| Robert Dargan | 2.5 | vs. | Tim Dunlavey | 0.5 | ||
| Steve Liebler | 0.5 | vs. | David Lamb | 2.5 | ||
| Gus Sylan | 1.5 | vs. | Brooks Blackburn | 1.5 | ||
| Bert Atkinson | 0.5 | vs. | Brian Lamb | 2.5 | ||
| Mike Bright | 0 | vs. | Phil Bland | 3 | ||
| Kevin King | 1.5 | vs. | Jim Fellner | 1.5 | ||
| Brad Krapfel | 0.5 | vs. | Steve Larick | 2.5 | ||
| Lee Palms | 0.5 | vs. | Ray Franz | 2.5 | ||
| Sr | Bob Stringer | 1.5 | vs. | Vic Lipscomb | 1.5 | |
| Sr | Vic Hannon | 0.5 | vs. | Ronnie Cauthen | 2.5 | |
| Eddie Hargett | 1 | vs. | Terry Johnson | 2 | ||
| Frank Ford III | 1 | vs. | Clem King | 2 | ||
| Sammy Truett | 2.5 | vs. | Randy Few | 0.5 | ||
| David Dargan | 1 | vs. | Steve Behr | 2 | ||
| Mike Gravley | 1.5 | vs. | George Bryan | 1.5 | ||
| Walter Todd | 3 | vs. | Simons Cuthbert | 0 | ||
| Daran Womack | 3 | vs. | Kim Cauthen | 0 | ||
| Jimmy Hawkins | 2.5 | vs. | Greg McBride | 0.5 | ||
| Singles Total | 25 | Singles Total | 29 | |||
| SCGA | 42 | SCPGA | 39 | |||