With the championship on the line and the crowd lining the final green, Sam Jackson stepped up and hit the shot of his life—an 8-iron from 110 yards that landed like a feather and settled just two inches from the cup.

Moments later, the three-time SCGA Player of the Year tapped in a birdie putt to win the 94th South Carolina Amateur Championship, delivering a walk-off finish that instantly joined the list of great moments in Palmetto State amateur golf.

“It came off exactly how I pictured it,” said Jackson. “That little body shot—it’s one I’ve practiced countless times. It was nice to see it show up when I needed it most.”

It wasn’t just a win. It was a statement—made on the biggest stage in South Carolina amateur golf, against one of the deepest fields in recent memory, and under searing triple-digit heat at The Carolina Country Club in Spartanburg.

Jackson’s closing birdie sealed a final-round 68, good for a 72-hole total of 17-under-par 271 edging Jack Weiner of Elon University by a single shot. Chase Cline of Chapin, who led after 54 holes, finished third at 15-under after an even-par 72.

It was a finish that showcased not just skill, but the poise under pressure needed to win the Palmetto States top amateur prize.

Early Stumbles, Late Surge

The final round began in dramatic fashion, with all three players in the last group faltering on the second hole. 

Jackson carded a double bogey, Weiner a bogey and Cline suffered a triple, to reset the final round with all three now even.

It was Weiner who first recovered from the rough start, stringing together birdies on holes 7, 8, and 9 to build a two-shot advantage as the final group made the turn. 

Meanwhile, Cline struggled to regain momentum and slowly slipped back into third, as the duel between Weiner and Jackson took center stage.

Weiner’s bogey at the 10th offered Jackson a sliver of hope, and after both players steadied themselves through the middle holes, the momentum shifted again on No. 16. 

Jackson rolled in a crucial birdie to cut the deficit to one. Then, on 17, Weiner blinked—his bogey pulled them into a tie heading into the final hole.

“I’ve been in this position before and let the moment get away from me,” said Jackson. “This time, I was determined to control it on my terms.”

The final hole—normally the par-4 ninth at Carolina—was adjusted into the finishing hole for logistical reasons. 

While not as dramatic as the usual par-5 18th, it offered just enough of a challenge to demand precision, especially under the weight of championship pressure.

A Moment to Remember

Jackson’s 110-yard wedge shot will be remembered as one of the finest closing swings in the championship’s history. 

Opting for a 50-degree wedge instead of risking a mis-hit with his 54, he clipped the ball cleanly and watched it track toward the flag before falling slightly left and stopping inches away.

“I’d already prepared myself for a playoff,” he said. “When Jack missed his birdie putt, I just stayed in the moment. You don’t celebrate until the ball’s in the hole.”

It was, in every sense, a winner’s finish.

As Jackson tapped in and raised his arms in quiet celebration, his wife Molly, who had spent the week on duty as the SCGA’s social media and public relations director, was finally able to shed her impartiality and embrace her husband.

“Winning’s great, but celebrating with the people who helped you get there—that’s what means the most,” Jackson said.

Depth in the Field

The 2025 field at Carolina was one of the deepest in recent memory. 

Just behind the leaders, Charles Cauthen, a recent AC Flora graduate and incoming freshman at Kentucky, carded a final-round 69 to take solo fourth at 13-under. He had several near-misses on the back nine that could have tightened the chase even more.

Former Clemson All-American Brent Delahoussaye, playing a limited amateur schedule, flashed vintage form with a final-round 67 to finish fifth.

Florence’s John Weiss fired the best round of the day—a 6-under 66—to climb into a tie for sixth with two-time SCGA Amateur champion Todd White, who as a senior golfer continues to set the standard for  excellence in South Carolina.

Zachary Frazer posted his best round of the week on Sunday to claim eighth, while two of the state’s top junior players—Erik Erlenkeuser and Will Ruth—shared ninth at 6-under. 

Erlenkeuser is the reigning Jay Haas Junior Player of the Year, and Ruth remains a strong contender for this year’s honor.

Eyes on the U.S. Amateur

With the win, Jackson not only adds his name to a trophy that includes PGA Tour stars like Lucas Glover, D.J. Trahan, Carson Young, and Andrew Novak—he also earns a spot in next month’s U.S. Amateur Championship at The Olympic Club in San Francisco.

But the reality of amateur golf means Sunday’s victory doesn’t stop the alarm clock from going off Monday morning.

“I’ve got work on Monday, a few customers to see,” Jackson said with a grin. “I’ll practice, prepare, and go enjoy the experience. No real expectations. It’s a blessing just to be in this spot.”

Jackson’s win is a reflection of the resilience, self-belief, and perspective he’s built over years of chasing competitive golf. He now gets to write a new opening line on his golfing résumé:

Sam Jackson, 2025 SCGA Amateur Champion.

His final shot may be what many remember—but for Jackson, it was everything after: the quiet pride, the shared joy, and the chance to finally celebrate with the people who helped him get there.

“Tomorrow I’ll go back to work,” he said, “but I’ll still be smiling.”