The Fury’s mascot bear, Birdie, helped Fountain Inn win its third straight Girls‘ Greenville County title.

By Stan Olenik Editot – Publisher The Golf Club

When Fountain Inn golf coach David Horton explains how his young team won three straight Greenville County girls championships, he points to hard work and dedication.

Ask the players, and they’ll mention Birdie.

Birdie is the Fury’s bear mascot. He joined the team last year and has traveled with it ever since.

“We got him last year and we take him with us. He has been good luck,” said Londyn Koslowski, who shares bear-wrangling duties with teammate Spencer Harvey.

Whatever part Birdie played, Fountain Inn left little doubt about the golf. The Fury shot a program-best 314 to win the 18-hole county championship. Greenville finished second at 338, followed by Wade Hampton at 345.

“I told our team a lot of teams can win two in a row, but to get three straight puts them up higher, but it also changes expectations,” Horton said.

The Fury have come a long way from the days when Horton had two golfers and two softball players willing to give golf a try. He credits J.L. Mann coach Robert Hawthrone with helping the young program get into tournaments and the players’ parents with getting the girls to practices and events.

Transportation mattered. Most of the team was too young to drive.

“I still don’t have a license,” joked Harvey, who has a designated parking space at Willow Creek after winning its women’s championship.

Harvey joined Fountain Inn’s program in its second year and has become one of its leaders. Golf is her full-time sport, and she has won a Greenville County junior title and posted competitive finishes in South Carolina Junior Golf Association events.

At the county championship, the Fury sophomore won medalist honors with an even-par 72, one shot ahead of Southside Christian’s Katelyn Cubbison. Greer’s Grace Roberts finished third.

“I love growing with these girls,” Harvey said. “We’ve been able to hang out and grow together for the last four years. We know we have accomplished some things and expectations have changed, but it’s been a great experience.”

Horton sees that closeness in the way the Fury compete.

“The team has developed a strong team concept. They are playing for each other and in a team sport that is so important,” he said. “The team knows to stay at the top they have to keep getting better.”

The Fury hope their season brings another trophy. If it does, Birdie will probably be in the picture.

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