South Carolina High School golf playoffs are underway, here is what you need to know

By golfclubsc on May 5, 2026 • ( Leave a comment )

A group of five young male golfers stands together, with the tallest one holding a trophy. They are wearing matching dark jackets and caps, smiling at the camera. — *Fresh off a win at the Southern Cross Hanna finished on top of the 5A DII Qualifying Tournament played at The Fort Club in Ninety Six. (Hanna File Photo)*

by Stan Olenik Editor – Publisher. The Golf Club

This is the week in the high school spring sports season that can leave casual fans scratching their heads.

It’s Upper and Lower State tournament time in golf—and several other sports—but instead of crowning champions, these rounds are simply qualifiers for next week’s state championship.

“Wait a minute — Not so fast my friend”

In football, basketball, baseball and a number of other sports, teams win Upper and Lower State championships. Those winners then move on to play for a state title.

So why not in golf?

Technically, they don’t.

The South Carolina High School League recognizes only one champion—the last team standing at the state championship. There are no official Upper or Lower State champions.

And yet, visit enough schools and you’ll see banners, rings, T-shirts—and maybe even a license plate or two—celebrating Upper State titles.

So who crowned them Champs?

No one seems to know how or when it started. Some school, athletics director, coach or booster decided a win to send a team to a state championship deserved some kind of recognition.

One good guess is that it was started by a team that lost a state championship. “Well at least we won the Upstate” they may have said and that was all it took to create a new award while they were riding home.

Once it started in a sport, it spread to the other sports that sent one team to a championship game.

Golf Does It Differently

Instead of narrowing things down to one team from each side, golf sends multiple teams forward.

Usually, the top eight teams from both Upper and Lower State advance to the state championship.

That means teams aren’t playing to win a title this week.

They’re playing to qualify.

Playing to Advance Changes Everything

And that changes the way the tournaments are played.

Some teams go all-out to win the day. Others focus on finishing safely inside the number.

It’s not unusual to see a coach give a player outside the regular lineup a chance—hoping a solid round is enough to get through, even if it comes with a little risk.

Because once you’re in…you’ve got a shot.

A Real-World Example

Take Class 5A Division I.

Dorman finished on top of the Upper State standings, while Johns Island led the Lower State side ahead of defending champion River Bluff.

In most sports, those two would meet next for the state championship.

In golf, they—and several others—will all head to the state championship at Shaftesbury Glen with a clean slate.

What About Individual Champions?

Here’s where things get interesting.

While team titles aren’t officially recognized at this stage, the individual leaderboard tells a different story.

Dorman’s two-time defending state champion Will Ruth fired a 66 to top the Upper State leaderboard.

On the Lower State side, Johns Island’s Davis Peevey posted a 68 to lead his field.

You can make a strong case those performances deserve to be called Upper and Lower State championships—even if they’re not officially labeled that way.

Finishing on top of a field filled with the best players in your classification is more than just a good round.

It’s an accomplishment.

Will That Ever Change?

Maybe. Maybe not. The state golf coaches have mixed feelings.

But if other sports are willing to celebrate the moment and that moment is captured by the latest craz in college with “ticket punched” signs, don’t be surprised if golf programs start doing the same—even if it’s unofficial.

The South Carolina High School League hasn’t stopped other sports from celebrating a mystical title, so go ahead.

Now, On to the Results

Not every classification followed the same path this week.

Class 5A Division I, 5A Division II, 3A and 2A all are qualifying for state championship play, either on Monday or Tuesday.
Championships
Class 5A DII Championship starts on May 11th at the Hackler Course in Conway
Class 5A DI Championship starts on May 11th at Shaftsbury Glen in Conway
Class 3A Championship begins on May 11th at Diamondback in Loris.
Class 2A Championship begins on May 11th at Arcadian Shores in Myrtle Beach
Class 1A will play its championship at Chester Country Club starting on May11th
Class 4A plays Upper and Lower Qualifiers on May 11th. The schools are holding region championships this week. Their state championship is scheduled for May 18th -19th at Cross Creek Plantation in Seneca.