By Jed Blackwell, Associate Editor/Publisher

Mike Teasley said a couple of shots on the back nine made all the difference.

Teasley and his partner, Whitt Jefferson, used a pair of eagles on the back nine at Saluda Valley to win the Jimmie Evatt Memorial Texas Two-Man, shooting final round 61 and a two-day total of 125 to edge the team of Blake Blizzard and Brandon Worley by two shots.

Ben Cox and Perry Hartin finished third, while there was a three-way tie for fourth with Mike Miller and Tony Bailey, Cole Patterson and Joey Patterson, and Shane Grumbles and Eric Grumbles.

The winners didn’t stick to any specific strategy, and said they played pretty solidly all weekend. Sunday’s eagles, though – one from each – proved to be the edge they needed.

“We eagled 11 and then eagled 14, and that was the key to it,” Teasley said. “We really didn’t say a whole lot except to maybe line up a putt or two, that was about it.”

Teasley made the eagle at 11, holing a putt of about 50 feet. Jefferson chipped in on No. 14

“It was probably 30 yards,” Jefferson said. “I hit a 60-degree. It took one big bounce, then another bounce and went in.”

The event marked the 16th year of the tournament, held since 2007 with the exception of 2020. It’s held in memory of Jimmie Evatt, the late father of Saluda Valley PGA Professional Jeff Evatt.

“People seem to like the event,” Evatt said. “We’re fortunate to have a good field every year. We pay four places in every division, so there’s a chance that you’ll be able to get your entry fee back. And we’re happy to be able to donate some of the proceeds.”

Those donations go to a recipient at the Medical University of South Carolina who is either waiting for a heart transplant or who has just received one.

“My dad died after a heart transplant there in 2005,” Evatt said. “His body rejected the transplant. It’s special to be able to help someone who’s going through some of the same things he went through.”

Golfers look forward to the Evatt Memorial for many of those reasons, but Teasley said there’s something else, too.

“We just love the Valley,” he said. “It’s always a great outing they always have here.”

Parker Jackson and Rece Magruder shot 134 to win the First Flight, while Thomas Nielsen and Dylan Powers’ 135 took the Second Flight. Mark Torres and Jim Morgan won the Third Flight at 139, while Logan Pendergrass and Edward Wallace shot 146 to win the Fourth Flight.