Amateur Tour offers competition for all levels of golfers

Aug. 23--One owns an embroidery shop, another is a retired prison warden and another operates a workout gym. One guy's golf innovation might show up on the Shark Tank television show. There are retired military personnel among their number, an insurance adjuster, teachers, a plant manager, an active-duty Army colonel and more.

There's one guy who bleeds the crimson of Alabama, another is a Tar Heel and, of course, there's a mixture of Gamecocks and Tigers in the group.

This cross-section of society comes together periodically to share their love for golf -- competitive golf -- and they gather under the umbrella of the Columbia chapter of the Golfweek Amateur Golf Tour.

No, they're not ready to take on the Spieths, McIlroys or Johnsons of the golfing world. Some scores drift into triple figures. But the 20-year-old national organization, with chapters in 42 cities, provides the opportunity to compete against players of similar abilities and leads to a national championship tournament at Hilton Head Island.

"Competition brings them out, and that's the key word," says John Livoti, director of the Columbia tour. "They're competitive, and this gives them a chance to play against golfers with the same skills. That's the beauty of the tour."

Players are placed in flights based on handicaps compiled in tour events, starting with the "championship" group at 0-3.9 and ranging to "D" at 19-plus. In order to maintain amateur status, winners earn gift cards. Optional skins games are available, too.

"Competition" came up in almost every conversation with those who took part in the tour's tournament this summer at WildeWood. Hand the player a scorecard and adhere to, as James Bond said to the fictional Goldfinger, "strict rules of golf" and golf is a different game from hanging out with the usual foursome.

Scott Shealy, a pro for three years before regaining his amateur status, laughed and called his handicap "too high." But, he said, "I missed competition and this provides that chance." Jimmy Mathis, a salesman for Sonoco Products, noted the format "makes you focus better." Don Pennington, who came from the upstate to play at WildeWood, said, "I used to drag race and race motorcycles, and this is my competitive outlet now."

If areas that seldom receive snow get a dose of the white stuff, blame Greg Taylor, a Virginia native who served in the Army and now teaches at White Knoll and tutors at Midlands Tech, for any inconvenience. "I was there when in snowed in Iraq. I was there when it snowed in El Paso and I was here when it snowed here," he said and laughed. His game? "I won my flight with an 85 at Windermere," he said, "and the next time out I shot 103."

Reed Webb, who fell in love with golf after being introduced to the game at age 4 by his grandfather, improved at every level and said, "I felt like I had a future in the game." He liked the rush of excitement on the eve of competition and the adrenaline flowing on the first tee. The next step, he figured, would be to play on his college team at Liberty University.

Instead, he said, "I choked." He laughed and said, "Every time I tried to walk on, I shot 79. But this tour is a blessing for players of all levels who love to compete."

Bob Johns, a retired Army command sergeant major, knows about tournaments. He is on the committee of eight that runs the tournament for retired military personnel that brings upwards to 1,000 players and their families to the Myrtle Beach area each year.

"Old guys get together, tell stories and have fun," he said. "Here, it's still getting together and having fun, but it's more competitive."

In addition to the competitiveness, there is the generosity. "A flight" player Glen O'Neil's daughter was diagnosed with a rare disease and tour players contributed $2,500.

"The tour is about golf and competiveness," Livoti said, "but it's more than golf, too. It's about people."

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