2007 Spring Swing Classic Invades Myrtle Beach, S.C.
On July 18-22, A Tradition Unlike Any Other, will continue as the 6th Annual Spring Swing Classic returns to Myrtle Beach where an expanded field of 16 will battle for the ultimate prize. The tournament's growth means the competition will get even tougher this year. With the handicap system that is put into place, the alcohol consumption, the heat, and the PINK SHIRT, the 2007 Spring Swing Classic will not disappoint.
With some very interesting and challenging golf courses ahead, defending champion Keith Quilty is looking forward to the challenge. "Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character". Quitly survived a double-bogey 18 to win by one stroke in 2006.
As for the Dead Ass Last (DAL) recipient Thery George, was finally available for comment: "Being the rookie, I didn't know how to prepare for and play during the tournament. The pink shirt was really a distraction- I didnt know "stretchy" fabric could loose its stretch. Maybe I underestimated the specimens that were wearing it. I'll be dialed in this year, I won't let the field's lack of talent depress me as it did last year. Fear the mule".
2006 RECAP
Rounds 1 and 2- Thursday
Myrtle Beach, S.C: The Spring Swing Classic continued its rich tradition in creating many memories and moments for all that participated. On Thursday, 36 holes were played and the fatigue along with the alcohol consumption were for sure major factors for the participants. The biggest surprise was the position of the past DAL winner, George Harkness. With a handicap that reached a tournament high of 42 was able to play consistant golf through the first two rounds. "To be in the middle of the pack through the first two rounds really feels good. The stress of having the DAL trophy is something I am looking forward to giving someone else" said Harkness. The highlight of round two was the play of Ron Miller who shot a career best 76 while going one under on the back side.
Leaders thru round (1): Peeper (-3), B. Holland (-2), Myers (-2), Devos (-1), T. Holland (E), Wallace (E), Hughes (+1), Pusateri (+3), T. George (+3), Quilty (+4), Harkness (+7)
Leaders thru round (2): Devos (-12), Miller (-8), Harkness (-3), Wallace (-3), Quilty (-1), T. Holland (E), Myers (+1), Pusateri (+2), Peeper (+3), B. Holland (+3), T. George (+10), Hughes (+10)
Round 3- Friday
Friday morning provided a great third round for some of the participants. Todd "Hollywood" Holland was looking forward to this moving day round sitting at Even. While all the other participants were struggling with their golf swings, this giant was dialed in playing consistant golf to end up at (-4). One of the biggest questions of this round was how Kasey Hughes was going to rebound off one of the major drinking afternoons in recent Spring Swing Classic history! Hughes fought off a big time hangover with a stellar round to move him to (+1) going into the final round. Another participant that was enjoying his cold beers was John Pusateri. " I would like to thank my sponsor Bud Select for giving me the opportunity to have a cold one for breakfast, lunch and dinner all week." says Pusateri.
Leaders thru round (3): Wallace (-8), Devos (-7), Quilty (-5), T. Holland (-4), Miller (-4), Myers (-1), Peeper (+1), Hughes (+1), Pusateri (+6), Harkness (+6), B. Holland (+9), T. George (+16)
Final Day Update
The biggest question was who was going to bring home the hardware? The leaders were bunched up ranging from (-8) to (-4). Many of the players at this time of the tournament were completly beat up after a great evening out in Myrtle Beach. The morning started off in such classic fashion as the LEAD group was missing one person. This of course made for an on course ruling that every hole missed the player must take a double par. Would this effect the outcome of the tournament? The battle continued much of the morning between Quilty and Devos. But that wasnt the only competition going on. The next two groups had people in that could bring home the DAL trophy! Many questions that were floating around Myrtle Beach was if Harkness could hold off a possible charge from Thery George. Harkness, sporting a beautiful tight pink ladies golf shirt the entire round, many were thinking Thery George had a chance to move out of last place....... didnt happen. The leaders were going into the 18th hole with Quilty have a 3-stroke lead. A double bogey on 18 gave the 2nd timer his first career Spring Swing Classic title. What would have happend if Devos didnt have to take a double par 8 on the first hole????????????? Guess we will never find out.
Congratulations to our winners. This years tournament provided so many memories for all the participants. Speaking with the Spring Swing tour Officials, not only with the great golf but with the economic impact that was provided to the great community of Myrtle Beach, it could be the venue for the 2007 Spring Swing Classic.
Final Round Leaderboard: Quilty (-4), Devos (-3), Wallace (+2), Hughes (+5), Myers (+7), T. Holland (+9), Miller (+9), Peeper (+12), Pusateri (+12), B. Holland (+13), Harkness (+15), T. George (+20)
CHAMPION- Keith Quilty
DEAD ASS LAST- Thery George
Good Times, Great Friends, and A Lot Of Laughs! See you in April!
_________________________________________________________________________
SSC History
Founded in 2002, The Spring Swing Classic has continued to be a huge success over the last 5 years. It started out with a group of 8 individuals that went to high school together in Orlando, Florida looking to bring back memories and to enjoy new ones. Brent Holland, co-founder and 2004 champion said "It is a time of fellowship, cold beverages and oh yea, golf. This tournament is a ton of fun and each year, a new story comes about."
In 2002 and 2003, The Spring Swing Classic was held at Chateau Elan Resort and Winery in Atlanta, Georgia. The three day tournament consisted of 4 rounds of golf, which by Sunday most of the field was feeling the fatigue by the final round. Jay Peeper, co-founder, said “Everyone playing has a legitimate chance at winning. With the handicap system in place, even the #8 seed has a chance to bring home the hardware.” Peeper, yet to win the tournament, has not been in contention for the ultimate prize…. The D.A.L. "Oh boy, the Dead Ass Last trophy is one that I hope to never get. Having a trophy with a horses ass displayed in my house is not something I want to explain to friends and family."
The Spring Swing Classic travels to different cities almost every year. In 2002 and 2003, Chateau Elan Winery and Resort, just outside Atlanta, Georgia, was where the fun began. In 2004, it was held just outside Orlando, Florida at Mission Inn Resort. In 2005, it was held in Hilton Head, South Carolina at the Palmetto Dunes and Resort. In 2006, the tournament will invade Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for what could be the a sell-out event. For the second year in a row, we have have expanded the field to 12 people. Brian Myers, 2005 champion "It is not easy to win this tournament. You have a wide range of golfers out here, you never know who is going to post something low."
This is a great tradition, A Tradition Unlike Any Other, one that looks like is going to be around for a long time. A location or date has not been set for 2007 as of yet. We will have this information to you after this years event.
Until then, keep it in the short grass.