Evatt Launches Upstate Summer Series for Junior Golfers of All Skill Levels

By Stan Olenik Editor-Publisher, The GolfClub

Jeff Evatt has always been a champion for junior golf.

As the longtime director of the Upstate Chapter of the South Carolina Junior Golf Association, Evatt operated a highly successful summer series of Monday play days for juniors across Oconee, Pickens and Anderson counties.

This year the SCJGA has restructured its summer offerings, transforming the longtime Hootie Summer Series into the Hootie Developmental Program. The new format combines the organization’s one-day player series with its chapter programming to create a statewide, year-round competitive pathway for junior golfers.

With the new structure in place, the SCJGA will no longer operate the Monday play days that were traditionally conducted at the chapter level across the state.

Evatt understands the reasoning behind the change.

“The new program is going to be great for the very competitive juniors who are working their way up in the pecking order,” said Evatt. “It gives them a chance to earn ranking points and continue moving forward.”

But Evatt also knows from experience that not every junior golfer is chasing national rankings or college scholarships.

“Over the years I’ve found a lot of the kids on the summer tour are just playing for fun,” he said.

With that in mind, Evatt has organized a new series of events designed to keep local opportunities available for juniors in the Upstate.

Working through the GSA Upstate Junior Tour, Evatt has created a summer schedule that mirrors many of the features of the former Monday play days.

“The GSA Upstate Summer Series is open to boys and girls ages 7-18 of all skill levels,” Evatt explained. “It will operate very much like the old chapter events, but it will be more cost-effective and still allow juniors to play quality facilities each week.”

The concept fits well with the philosophy behind the GSA Junior Tour, which began in 2014 when Todd McAlister and Todd Carter were searching for more opportunities for their sons to compete in junior golf.

At the time, junior tournaments in the region were limited. The two fathers created a tour built around affordable monthly events where young golfers could gain experience while keeping travel manageable for families.

McAlister and Carter continue to operate the tour today, long after their own sons completed their junior and college golf careers.

Evatt’s summer program follows a similar model but operates as a stand-alone series, separate from the existing GSA Junior Tour schedule.

The Upstate Summer Series will be limited to the first 150 junior members who sign up. A $100 membership fee allows players to receive reduced entry fees for seven tournaments scheduled from early June through late July.

“We are using the old chapter model for awards and points,” Evatt said. “But golfers don’t have to be from Oconee, Pickens or Anderson counties to participate. Juniors from anywhere are welcome to join, and if there is space available they can also enter individual events without becoming tour members.”

Depending on field size, some tournaments may also receive South Carolina Junior Golf Association state rankings points, although Evatt emphasizes that rankings are not the primary focus of the series.

“I’m a PGA member, and our job is to grow the game,” Evatt said. “Growing the game doesn’t just mean developing tour players or college golfers. It often means making the game available to kids who simply enjoy playing. Getting juniors started playing for fun is the best way to grow the game.”

Registration for the tour and individual events is available at http://gsagolf.bluegolf.com.

Evatt can also be reached for additional information at jevatt98@charter.net.

“We know the SCJGA is going to do a great job with their new statewide program,” Evatt said. “We just think this tour can fill a need here in the Upstate as well.”