Anyone familiar with South Carolina amateur golf history knows of the Ford family. Now, subscribers to Sports Illustrated's Golf Plus edition have the opportunity to get acquainted with the Charleston family in an extensive feature in the April 25 issue.
The article is available only to subscribers and is not included in the newsstand version.
Spread over five pages, "Wizards of Wappoo" was written by Joel Zuckerman and John Garrity. The story includes a family tree listing more than 100 significant tournament victories by members of the Ford family.
"What the Wallenda family is to the high wire and the Gambino family is to crime, so are the Fords to golf in the Carolina Lowcountry," the authors write.
PICARD MISSES ON HALL
The late Henry Picard, who won the 1938 Masters and 1939 PGA Championship and was a former pro at the Country Club of Charleston, finished fourth in recent voting for induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Vijay Singh, named on 56 percent of the ballots, was the only player elected. Players from the PGA Tour and international ballot require 65 percent of the vote for election. But two years ago, the Hall of Fame added a stipulation that if no one gets 65 percent, the players with the most votes will be elected provided he is on at least 50 percent of the ballots, according to an Associated Press story.
Larry Nelson was second in the voting with 55 percent, Curtis Strange received 50 percent, and Picard was named on 49 percent of the ballots.
BREAKING BARRIERS
Former College of Charleston golfer Jennifer Bridwell Lucas was scheduled to play this week in a NGA/Hooters Tour event at Cherokee Valley Golf Club in Tigerville, where Lucas is the head golf professional. While at the College of Charleston, Bridwell (her maiden name), a native of Greer, was a three-time All-Southern Conference player. She has been the head pro at Cherokee Valley for the past two years and is a part-time member of the Futures Tour. The Hooters Tour has had female players in the past, but none has made a cut.
ASBELL CLUB CHAMPION
Bob Asbell shot 139 to win the Miler Country Club men's club championship. David Connor was second with a 146, while Don Williams finished third and was the senior champion with a score of 148.
Flight winners included: First--Rockie Bailey, 155. Second --Patrick Pye, 156. Third--Gene Ashburn, 166. Fourth--Jack Lee, 177.
MOORE WINS PLANTATIONS
Caulder Moore of Isle of Palms won the boys' 12-13 age group in the Plantations Junior Golf Tour event played at Sea Trail in Sunset Beach, N.C., shooting 77-75--152.
STONO FERRY MEMBER-MEMBER
Harold Smoak and Al Perfetti won the third flight championship and were overall champions in the Stono Ferry Member-Member golf tournament. Gary Soderstrom and Jack Stone won the first flight, Byron Miller and Jay Miles won the second flight and Raymond Tumbleston and Jarred Clein took the fourth flight title.
KIAWAH SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are being sought for this summer's PGA of America Club Professional Championship, which will be played June 23-26 at Kiawah Island's Ocean Course. The tournament will feature 156 of the country's top club professionals competing for a purse of $1.5 million and a limited number of spots in the 2005 PGA Championship. Volunteers will receive a complimentary uniform and those who work at least three shifts will earn a coupon to play a complimentary round on the Ocean Course and bring a buddy for $75. Registration forms are available at www.kiawahresort.com or call (843) 266-4006 to sign up.
UPCOMING...
-- The fifth annual Council 6250 Knights of Columbus/Paul Newman Fund charity golf tournament will be played May 1 at Charleston Municipal Golf Course. The donation is $55 per player/$220 per team. Proceeds will benefit local charities, including Camp High Hope and Special Olympics. Call (David at (843) 762-1504 or Graydon at (843) 762-9990.
-- The Porter-Gaud Golf Classic will be played May 6 at the Links at Stono Ferry, with proceeds benefiting the Porter-Gaud scholarship program. Contact Winn Tutterow at (843) 556-0011 or Peggy Smith at (843) 402-4685.
-- Roper St. Francis will hold a tournament to raise funds for the Nursing Scholarship program on April 30 at Legend Oaks Golf Club. The entry fee is $75 per player for the captain's choice event. Contact Linda Schofield at (843) 402-1616.
-- The McDonald's Charity Golf Tournament, benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston, will be played May 2 at Kiawah Island's River Course. Call (843) 723-7957.
-- The Trident Technical College Alumni Association golf tournament will be played May 2 at RiverTowne Country Club. The entry fee is $100 entry fee, and reservations will be accepted until April 27. Contact Cheryl Sargeant at (843) 574-6456 or email cheryl.sargeant@tridenttech.edu.
-- The 10th annual Charleston Lions Club Charity Golf Classic to benefit the Storm Eye Institute at MUSC, will be played May 6 at Seabrook Island's Ocean Winds golf course. The entry fee is $125 per golfer or $500 per team. Contact Steve Coker at (843) 296-4610, Clark Coker at (843) 452-1000 or Jim Bobo at (843) 795-4994.
-- A golf marathon to benefit Eagle Harbor, which helps abused, abandoned and neglected children, will be played May 6 at Wescott Plantation. Contests will include best 9-hole score combo, lowest score, most holes played, longest drive, closest to the pin, hole-in-one and most money raised. Call (843) 688-5995 or check out www.eagleharborkids.com.
-- The East Cooper Community Outreach "Fore our needy neighbors" tournament will be played May 16 at RiverTowne Country Club. The entry fee is $100 for the captain's choice event. Contact Paul Suchy at (843) 849-9220.
-- The 25th First Federal of Charleston Tenderfoot Classic will be played June 7 at Kiawah Island's Cassique course. The tournament benefits the Boy Scouts. Contact Bill Everett at (843) 814-8286.
