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West Columbia’s Jackson Becomes First Four-Time Consecutive Honoree; Okatie’s Hargett Claims Fifth Senior Player of the Year Award

Columbia, SC (December 5, 2025) - The South Carolina Golf Association proudly announces its 2025 Players of the Year: Sam Jackson of West Columbia, who secured his historic fourth consecutive Player of the Year title, and Eddie Hargett of Okatie, who earned his fifth Senior Player of the Year honor. These accolades recognize two golfers whose performances stood out across state, regional, and national competition throughout the 2025 season. 

Sam Jackson: A Historic Fourth Title 
Sam Jackson’s 2025 campaign was marked by steady, high-level play from start to finish. Competing in a full slate of SCGA ranked events, Jackson turned in top-five finishes in every tournament he entered, a testament to his consistency throughout the season. The defining moment of his year came at the 94th SCGA Amateur Championship, where he claimed the title with strong play throughout the week, further establishing himself as one of the state’s top amateurs and adding another milestone victory to his career.

Across the season, Jackson added a fourth-place finish at the 45th SCGA Mid-Amateur Championship, runner-up finishes in both the SCGA Mid-Amateur Four-Ball and Players Four-Ball Championships, a second-place finish at the Lefty Righty Championship, a third-place finish at the Partners Four-Ball, and top performances in two well-regarded national invitationals, finishing fourth at the Palmetto Amateur and tied for fifth at the Azalea Invitational. He also advanced to the quarterfinals of the Carolinas Four-Ball Championship.

On the national stage, Jackson competed as an automatic qualifier in both the U.S. Amateur Championship at The Olympic Club and the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship at Troon Country Club, further solidifying his standing among the country’s top mid-amateurs.

“Winning Player of the Year for the fourth time, and doing it consecutively, means a lot to me,” Jackson said. “South Carolina is home to some of the strongest amateur players anywhere, and getting to compete with them is something I’m really grateful for. The SCGA has supported me from junior golf into my thirties, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without everything they’ve done for my family and me.”

Jackson’s fourth consecutive Player of the Year title makes him the first golfer in SCGA history to claim the honor four years in a row. 

Eddie Hargett: A Distinguished Champion 
Eddie Hargett, an accomplished and respected figure in South Carolina senior golf, has been named Senior Player of the Year for the fifth time, reaffirming his position as one of the state’s most consistent and successful senior competitors. His 2025 season featured outstanding play across multiple championships, highlighted by victories at both the 67th SCGA Senior Amateur Championship and the SCGA Senior Four-Ball Championship, achievements that once again demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure at the highest levels of senior amateur golf. 

Hargett’s season also included a series of strong finishes that underscored his reliability and competitive spirit. He placed fourth at the Low Country Senior Amateur, tied for 14th at the Jones Cup Senior, tied for 16th at the Carolinas Senior Amateur Championship, and tied for fourth at the Carolinas Senior Four-Ball Championship.

Nationally, he competed in the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at Oak Hills Country Club, adding another significant milestone to his season.  

“Achieving the Senior Player of the Year Award for the fifth time certainly wasn’t a goal at the beginning of the year,” Hargett said. “The competitive bar is raised higher each year, and 10 years into Senior golf adds many younger, very accomplished Seniors into the SCGA ranks. Winning the SCGA Senior 4-Ball with Walter Todd in a playoff certainly fueled confidence for the rest of the year. Then winning the SCGA Senior Amateur in a playoff was the highlight. It was a relief to finally achieve an individual SCGA State Title. I’m grateful for the friendships made and bonds shared with all the players who compete in the SCGA events. I am honored to receive this award and the year-long achievements that it represents.”

Hargett’s fifth Senior Player of the Year award places him among the most decorated senior golfers in SCGA history, further solidifying his legacy within the state's golf history.

Honoring Excellence 
Jackson and Hargett will be formally honored at the SCGA’s Annual Golf Day celebration on January 17, 2026, at Forest Lake Club. This event celebrates the achievements of South Carolina’s finest golfers and their contributions to the game.

If you would like to attend in support of the Players of the Year, you can purchase a ticket to attend here: 2025 South Carolina Golf Day

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