A hole in one helps Mitchell set new tournament record

A year ago, Andy Mitchell walked off the 18th green at Paris Mountain Country Club wondering what might have been.

Mitchell appeared to have one of the Upstate’s most prestigious amateur titles within his grasp before a pair of costly missed putts on the final hole left him short of victory in the J.P. Traynham Memorial Tournament.

This year, he left with the trophy.

Mitchell closed with a brilliant 7-under-par 64, highlighted by a hole-in-one on the 16th hole, to finish at 11-under-par 133 and capture the championship in one of the Upstate’s longest-running amateur golf events.

The tournament began with Cole Patterson setting the pace. Patterson opened with a 66 to take a one-shot lead over Wofford golfer Major Lenning, while Mitchell’s opening-round 68 left him well within striking distance entering the final round.

Playing in the final group, Mitchell had a front-row seat to the leaders’ fortunes as the tournament unfolded.

Lenning briefly appeared ready to separate himself from the field after a birdie at No. 10, but trouble on the 12th and 13th holes slowed his charge. Patterson remained in control until a costly double bogey on the par-5 14th sent him backward.

As the leaders stumbled, Mitchell steadily moved into position.

Then came the shot everyone will remember.

Standing on the 16th tee, a short but severely uphill par-3, Mitchell hit a wedge he knew was close to perfect.

“I couldn’t see the green, but I knew it was a good shot,” Mitchell said. “I had 115 yards to the hole and wanted to hit it about 120.”

The ball flew directly over the flagstick and landed behind the hole.

“I couldn’t see anything,” he said. “Then I started hearing people around the green yelling.”

Spectators later told him the ball landed past the hole before slowly rolling back down the slope and disappearing into the cup for an ace.

The hole-in-one gave Mitchell control of the tournament with two holes remaining.

The driveable par-4 17th often tempts players into taking risks, but Mitchell saw no reason to gamble.

“I hit a little 7-iron into the fairway, chipped up and two-putted for par,” he said.

After the disappointment of the previous year, there would be no unnecessary chances.

Mitchell followed with a routine par on the 18th hole to secure the championship and complete one of the most memorable finishes in recent tournament history.

In fact Mitchell’s 133 toital set a new record for low score at the event.

Connor Rose posted a final-round 70 to move into a tie for second place with Patterson.

Lenning, Evan Eassy, Henry Hall and Brandon Pearson finished tied for fourth at 3-under par.

“I love the course and I love the tournament,” Mitchell said. “I’m really happy to win it and I’m looking forward to coming back next year and trying to defend.”

The J.P. Traynham Memorial has long been considered one of the signature amateur events in the Upstate. Played annually at Paris Mountain Country Club, the tournament has attracted many of the region’s top players for more than five decades. 

Winning the championship means joining a list of champions that stretches back through generations of Greenville golf, making it a title many local players circle on their calendars each year. 

For Mitchell, the opportunity to return and contend again after last y

Burger Wins Senior Traynham title

Shane Burger finished as the top Senior in the Division. 

Burger carded rounds of 70 and 71 for  142 total and the win.

Flight winners included – First Flight  Derrick Oyervides, Second Flight – Bradley Walker, Third Flight – Braxton Dillard, Fifth Flight – Mark Good.

This year’s field included 104 golfers who played in the championship,

The scores from the JP Traynham are available here https://bgtmb.bluegolf.com/bluegolfw/bgtmbpmcc24/event/bgtmbpmcc248/contest/28/leaderboard.htm

SCgolfclub.com and The Golf Club brings new local golf news your way almost every day. Don’t miss out subscribe and receive our posts in your email.