The Cranberry Classic at The Bel has been played in just about every kind of December weather imaginable—and this year was no exception. While the conditions have varied from mild to downright blustery, one thing has remained constant at Boscobel Golf Club in Pendleton: the dominance of the Nielsen brothers.

Former Clemson golfer Jonathan Nielsen and his brother Thomas continued their winning ways, capturing their third straight title at the course. The duo posted rounds of 58 and 59 for a 117 total, finishing four shots ahead of the field of 150 golfers—a field that included swirling winds that made even short putts a challenge.

“We’re three-for-three,” said Thomas Nielsen. “Every one of these we’ve played together, we’ve won.”

The tournament opened with pleasant conditions on Saturday, giving players a comfortable start. But Sunday’s second round brought a sharp change. A cold front swept through, with temperatures dropping and strong winds making play increasingly difficult as the day wore on.

“It was cold—we had blankets and mittens,” said Jonathan Nielsen. “But it wasn’t the cold as much as the wind.”

Despite the gusts, the brothers adjusted well.

“We just played into the wind by adding a little distance to our shots,” Jonathan explained.
“The only time it really helped us was on the sixth hole—Jonathan drove the green. It was about 350 yards, and the wind definitely helped,” added Thomas.

The Nielsens played steady golf throughout, keeping mistakes to a minimum on their way to victory.

“We really had a very steady round—nothing crazy. We made a few putts on the back nine and didn’t make any big mistakes,” said Jonathan.

After carding an opening-round 57, the brothers trailed first-round leaders Austin Langdale and Russell Coakley by a single stroke. The top three teams—Langdale and Coakley, the Nielsens, and Brandon Masters and Brad Sill—played together in the final round. Masters and Sill were the only team to improve on their opening score, posting a 60 to move into second place, one shot ahead of Langdale and Coakley.

“Jonathan really played well. I think I was along for moral support,” Thomas joked. “I did roll in a couple of putts, hit some solid irons, and chipped a few close on the back nine.”

The Nielsens’ streak at Boscobel is part of a larger trend of success—they’ve also recorded wins at Saluda Valley and Verdae in other two-man events.

The first round of this year’s Cranberry Classic also featured a pair of highlights worth celebrating: Todd Garrett and Zach Bishop each scored holes-in-one.

The Cranberry Classic at The Bel wraps up the season’s slate of open amateur events in the Upstate, closing the year on a high note for two very familiar winners.

Flight winners included, First Flight – Mark Torres and Shayne Burger, Second Flight – Will Landry and Ed Day. Third Flight – Joey and Cole Patterson, Fourth Flight – Shannon Gary and JT Sims. Fifth Flight – Bradley Walker and Malachia Reyes.