Upstate golfer sets sights on back-to-back victories in SC Amateur

Harry Reynolds opens defense of his South Carolina Amateur title on Thursday and in the process will strive to join some select company in Palmetto State golf history.

He is seeking to become the first player in 20 years to capture the state’s top amateur tourney in consecutive years and only the sixth to go back-to-back since the format changed to stroke play in 1958.

“My game feels good, and obviously I would like to win two in a row,” said Reynolds, a Greenville native who plays on the Indiana University golf team.

Reynolds, a product of Christ Church Episcopal School’s golf dynasty, took command of the 2021 State Amateur at DeBordieu Club midway the final round and won on cruise control. The championship that dates to 1929 moves up the Atlantic coast to the Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach this year.

“I had an up-and-down college season,” he said. “I struggled in the fall and then I played pretty well in the spring. I learned a lot about myself. The results were not what I wanted, but I know I’m a better player now than I was last year.”

He took time off for a fly fishing trip to Colorado with his mother, then returned to the summer amateur circuit. He tied for 35th in a tournament in Chattanooga that ended Wednesday, his scorecard spoiled by double bogeys later in the first and third rounds.

Whatever the scores, he incorporates the lessons from the 2021 State Amateur.

“The biggest thing I learned last year is to be patient,” he said in reflecting on his biggest win. “I didn’t start all that well, but I had two stretches — the back nine in the second round and the middle 10 holes in the last round — that I played the best I’ve ever played. I knew I was capable.”

Reynolds took the lead into the final round.

“I had never slept on the lead before,” he said, but he fell behind with two early bogeys. He countered with that sizzling stretch, six birdies in 10 holes, to pull away. He opened a six-shot advantage after 15 holes before turning conservative to protect the lead.

The win would have been sweet in any circumstances, but the tournament turned into a family affair. Stephen, the oldest of the three Reynolds brothers who played at Furman, caddied for Harry; and Rafe, the youngest who plays for USC, opened with a 69 before fading to a tie for 40th.

Their competitiveness comes naturally; Dad and Mom, Steve and Lelia, both swam in college at Furman.

Harry knew the DeBordieu course from family vacations, and he’s familiar with the Dunes from both a top-10 finish in the 2015 State Juniors and participating in Coastal Carolina’s General Hackler tournament.

The Dunes, a classic Robert Trent Jones design that dates to 1948, “is a great golf course,” Reynolds said. “It will be challenging.”

Biff Lathrop, executive director of the South Carolina Golf Association, concurred with Reynolds’ “challenging” observation.

“The Dunes is always a great test and I’m anxious to see the scores,” he said. “We have a really good field. The overall quality could be the best in years.”

The field includes younger brother Rafe, and the USC junior served notice with a strong spring performance and leading the Oak Hills qualifying for the State Amateur.

“We root hard for each other,” Harry Reynolds said. He paused, laughed and added, “Maybe not so much on Sunday” if the brothers are in both contention.

And if Harry can pull off back-to-back wins, he would join some of the biggest names in South Carolina amateur golf to accomplish the feat. Lucas Glover did a three-peat (1998-2000). The two-straight club includes D.J. Trahan (2001-02), Larry Penley (1987-88), David DuPre (1973-74) and Billy Womack (1962-63).

Chip shots. A pair of USC players — sophomore Nathan Franks (Roebuck) and incoming freshman Zach Adams (Charleston) — advanced to the U.S. Amateur in qualifying at Camden CC. Also earning spots in the national tournament at Camden: high schoolers William Jennings (Greenville) and Jackson Koivun (San Jose, California) and UNC Greensboro player Nick Lyerly (Salisbury, North Carolina). ... Former South Carolina Amateur champion Jonathan Griz (Hilton Head/Alabama) dropped his match in the Round of 32 in the U.S. Junior Amateur. ... Carson Jordan (Conway) won the boys’ title and Akiera Sanchez (Charleston) won the girls’ competition in the SCJGA’s Players Series at Crowfield GC in Goose Creek.

This story was originally published July 30, 2022 at 10:23 AM with the headline "Upstate golfer sets sights on back-to-back victories in SC Amateur."