The annual Cyder Cup match doesn’t usually come down to the last putt on the last hole of the match.

But it did this year. 

Green Valley hosted the annual battle between teams of top golfers from Greenville and Spartanburg. 

Greenville’s Jeremy Revis and Spartanburg’s T.J. Hines were the last pairing on the course playing in what would turn out to be the deciding match. 

Revis had built a 2 up lead on Hines early on the back nine (front 9 at Green Valley). 

The Spartanburg golfer kept the pressure on Revis and by the time the match reached it’s seventeenth hole (number 8) the two golfers were tied.

Both golfers parred the eighth hole which meant Revis could secure the Cup for Greenville by halving 18 while Hines needed to top Revis if Spartanburg was to repeat.

The two golfers had birdie opportunities on the final hole, but neither was able to convert and their match ended in a tie giving Greenville the Cup for the tenth time.

“I think we remembered what happened last year,” said Willis. “The guys who were on the team were a little embarrassed by the way they played,” he offered. 

The teams were selected by using the order of finish in each county’s Amateur championship.

The rest of the field of 16 golfers was completed by adding seniors and a few captain’s picks to round out the roster. 

The teams opened with best ball matches that left each side with 4 points after the morning rounds on Saturday. 

The afternoon pairings played alternate shot and Greenville was able to take a 1 point lead going into the Sunday singles. 

The individual matches ended with each side earning 7 wins. 

Greenville winners were Jason Woodard, Steve Bright, Duff Wagner, Terry Willis, Bobby Hines, Danny Brock and Yancy Johnson. 

The Spartanburg singles winners were Matt Wilson, Kevin Roberts, Tyler Macolly, Brian Kennedy, Jonathan Thomas, Carter Davis and Robbie Biershenk. 

The match between Zach Moran and Carter Ridgeway ended in a tie. 

Each team raised money for First Tee Upstate. The competition in the fund raising battle was almost as close as the scores on the course. 

Both teams helped raise a total of $28,000 this year which set a record for money raised by the event. 

“With all the covid stuff we were prepared to have an off year, but the guys got out there and found sponsors who believe in The First Tee and set a record,” said Willis. 

As it has been for many public service organizations, it has been difficult to raise funds for First Tee Upstate. 

Two of its biggest signature events had to be cancelled because of the pandemic. 

“Our programs took a hit in the spring when people were first dealing with the situation,” said Michael Pius, the executive director of First Tee Upstate. “Like everyone, parents were not sure if it was safe for kids to be involved,” he said. 

As everyone started to adjust their lives to the COVID 19 realities, parents saw First Tee Upstate was committed to providing safe instruction by following CDC guidelines.

The number of kids in the program began to grow again for the fall. 

“I think parents can see golf is one of the safer sports. Our fall classes have seen a boom in registration. We will end up a little down for the year, but all things considered we have done well,” he added. 

The series between the two counties now stands at 10 wins for Greenville, 6 wins for Spartanburg and one tie. 

“We are all glad we can make an impact helping with the sponsorship. It is important, but just as important is the fun we all have in playing. Once a golfer has played in this event they want to come back and play again. It really is something very special,” concluded the winning captain.

Scores from the Cyder Cup are available here https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/6798862639465286332