The South Carolina Golf Association’s Amateur Championship is coming to Spartanburg—and the host couldn’t be more excited.
The Carolina Country Club, revitalized in recent years under owner Tim Dunlap, will welcome 148 of the state’s top amateurs for the 94th edition of the SCGA Amateur Championship beginning Thursday, July 24. Over 72 holes of stroke play, the field will be tested by Tom Jackson’s layout, where firm, fast conditions and a few well-placed hazards promise to keep the leaderboard tight.
The state championship elevates the host club’s reputation and allows its community an opportunity to both showcase and benefit from the players and fans who attend.
“This is a big deal, not just for us but for the whole community,” Carolina Country Club owner Tim Dunlap said. “Hotels, restaurants, shops—everyone benefits. It’s a chance to showcase what we’ve built here.”
The Course and the Setup
The club is no stranger to big-time golf, having hosted Korn Ferry Tour qualifiers and regional championships. But this marks its debut as the stage for South Carolina’s top amateur prize. Dunlap and his team have been dialing in the conditioning, cutting and rolling greens, and tightening up landing areas.
“We’re aiming for firm, fast, and fair,” Dunlap said. “We’ve added growth regulators and we’re mowing and rolling daily. It’s going to be a real test—but not a cakewalk.”
The club’s scenic 9th hole—set in a natural amphitheater below the clubhouse—as the finishing hole for the final rounds, offering spectators a beautiful and dramatic viewing experience. And yes, fans are welcome.
“We’ll have the clubhouse open for food and drinks,” Dunlap said. “Parking will be tight early in the week, but we’ve got a plan similar to what we do with the Korn Ferry events. Spectators can walk the course, follow friends or family—just come enjoy it.”
The Field: Zach Adams Defends
University of South Carolina standout Zach Adams returns as the defending champion. The Charleston native has won two of the last three SCGA Amateurs, first at The Dunes Club in Myrtle Beach and last year at the Country Club of Charleston with a blistering 268 (-16).
This year’s champion will also earn an automatic exemption into the 2025 U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club in San Francisco.
The field was determined by qualifying events and exemptions, and Dunlap believes it may be one of the deepest yet.
“You used to see qualifiers shoot in the high 70s and still get in,” he said. “Not anymore. The qualifying numbers are lower, and the talent pool is deeper.”
With 36-hole cuts trimming the field to the low 60 and ties, consistency over four days will be key—and the heat won’t help.
“It’s going to be hot. Physical conditioning will matter,” Dunlap said. “But so will patience. If you’re driving it well and making some putts, you can score here. But over four rounds, you’ve got to manage your emotions and your swing. The course has some teeth.”
Expect a Battle
While low scores are possible, Dunlap doesn’t expect anyone to run away with the title.
“It wouldn’t surprise me at all if we ended up in a playoff,” he said. “This course has a way of catching up to people. One stray shot can cost you.”
From 350-yard drives to knee-knocking three-putts, the stage is set. And for local fans, it’s a rare opportunity to see the best amateur golfers in the state compete in their own backyard.
The 94th SCGA Amateur begins Thursday at 8:00 a.m. with tee times off both #1 and #10.
Categories: SCGA
