Beaufort golfer defeated in match play of US Amateur Public Links Championship

Beaufort's Rob Simmons lost to Harris English of Athens, Ga., in the first round of match play at the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship on Wednesday at Bryan Park Golf and Conference Center in Wilson, N.C.

Simmons lost his match 6 and 4.

To reach the match play stage, Simmons finished in the top 64 in the field of 156 golfers with a two-round score of 76-70 -- 146.

The six-round match play portion of the championship will conclude on Saturday with a scheduled 36-hole final.

John-Tyler Griffin of Wilson, N.C., had the best two rounds of stroke play with a 133. Find complete scores in the Scoreboard on Page 2B.

The U.S. Amateur Public Links, established in 1922 for bona fide public-course players, is one of 13 national championships conducted by the United States Golf Association, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs.

LOCALS COMPETE IN PRO-ASSISTANT CHAMPIONSHIP

Bluffton's Matthew Presnell and David Rogers tied for eighth place in the Carolinas PGA Pro-Assistant Championship Monday and Tuesday at Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach.

The team shot a 35-33 -- 68, finishing five strokes behind winners Oliver Peacock of Seven Devils, N.C.,and John Carter of Banner Elk, N.C.

Beaufort's Joe Matheny and Port Royal's Derek Lafferty tied for 24th with a 70. Hilton Head Island's Jason Cherry and Matt Bova also tied for 24th.

Okatie's Jeff Spencer and Callawassie Island's Colby Wilson tied for 33rd with a 71. Bluffton's Evan Belcher and Matthew Booker also tied for 33rd.

Bluffton's Matt Lucchesi and Brett Heisler tied for 42nd with a 72. Hilton Head's Ray Bragg and Bluffton's Mike Chura also tied for 42nd.

Hilton Head's Bill Sampson and Alexander Threlkeld tied for 58th with a 74. Hilton Head's Heidi Wright-Tennyson and Scott Schoiack tied for 62nd with a 75.

SEVERAL COMPETE IN BLADE JUNIOR GOLF CLASSIC

Several local golfers competed in the South Carolina Golf Association's 12th annual Blade Junior Golf Classic on Tuesday and Wednesday at Thornblade Club in Greer.

In the boys 13-18 flight, Hilton Head Island's Tate Hoisington had a two-round total of 150, finishing 11 strokes behind winner Stephen Behr of Florence.

Bluffton's Chandler Vilcheck had a 154 and Bluffton's Wesley Long had a 155.

In the girls 11-13 flight, Hilton Head's Anny Eddy fired a 99, finishing 26 strokes behind winner Taylor Hough of Spartanburg.

In the girls 14-18 flight, Samantha Buchanan turned in a 165, finishing 17 strokes behind winner Webber Morgan of Moore.

LOCAL TRIO IN SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA NATIONAL GAMES

Three local golfers will compete in the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games, set for July 18-23 in Lincoln Nebraska.

Beaufort's Thomas Jeff Riley, Hilton Head Island's Christopher McPherson and St. Helena Island's John MacFarland will represent the state of South Carolina in the games.

MONTGOMERY FALLS SHORT AT SCGA AMATEUR QUALIFIER

Hilton Head Island's Michael Montgomery fell one stroke shy of qualifying for the South Carolina Golf Association Amateur on Monday, firing a 38-36 -- 74 at the Country Club of Lexington.

The cutoff for the tournament was 73. Columbia's Thomas Bradshaw posted the best score of the day with a 67.

EPPERSON 8TH IN EGOLF EVENT

Hilton Head Island's Chris Epperson is tied for eighth place after the first round the eGolf Professional Tour's sixth annual Southern Open on Wednesday at The Club at Irish Creek in Kannapolis, N.C., and Warrior Golf Club in China Grove, N.C.

Epperson fired a 32-35 -- 67 and sits three strokes off the lead. Bluffton's Nathan Stamey is tied for 55th and Bluffton's Joel Hendry is tied for 78th.

HOLE-IN-ONE

Pat Lee sank a hole-in-one on July 7 on the No. 8 hole at Okatie Creek Golf Course in Sun City. Lee sank the 102-yard shot using a 5-wood. Witnesses were Stan Raczkowski, Dan McGuire and Bill Lee.