LANCASTER, SC (March 21, 2022) – A breezy spring day set the stage for 90 competitors at Lancaster Golf Club on Sunday for the 27th rendition of the “Papa Ed” Caddie Classic. With heavy rains in the week leading up to the event, soft conditions led to low scoring for players who were able to navigate the gusting winds and tricky greens on the Donald Ross-designed course.
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The round of the day belonged to North Augusta native Matthew Baxley, who hovered around even-par for the majority of his round before finishing with birdies on three of his final four holes to post three-under par 69 and win the boys 13-18 contest by two strokes. This is Baxley’s second SCJGA victory in the past few months, with his first title coming from the Fall Series at The Spur in October.
Finishing runner-up and the only other boy besides Baxley to break par was Richard Anaclerio of Aiken, who also finished with birdies on three of his final five holes to hoist the second place trophy. Anaclerio emerged from a crowded leaderboard to take runner-up honors over Nicholas Smith of Pickens, Coleman Ferguson of Columbia and Mason Kucia of Indian Land, who finished in a three-way tie for third place at even-par 72.
The most commanding victory of the day came in the girls 13-18 division, and that performance belonged to Chapin’s Emily Baker. Baker developed a sizable lead with a score of one-under par 35 on the front nine, and continued to play consistently on the back nine. At the end of the day, Baker carded a two-under par score of 70, which was good enough for an eight-stroke victory over runner-up Madison Dixon of Boiling Springs.
Robbin Zetrouer of Bluffton and Allison Lebo of North Augusta finished in a tie for third place at seven-over par 79.
Special thanks to the Lancaster Golf Club for hosting the Caddie Classic and to Marilyn Thompson for her sponsorship in honor of “Papa Ed” Thompson! Ed Thompson always had a special place for children and helping ones in need. For nearly 20 years, his mission was to find out what Greenwood (Indiana) children needed and get it for them. He started the Clothe-A-Child and kept the program going for almost two decades which still goes on today. After his passing in 2016, Marilyn decided to keep his spirit of giving alive with the SCJGA in the form of a sponsorship. In 2017, she donated 30 sets of brand new junior clubs to the Indiana Junior Golf Association. Since 2018, she has donated 70 brand new Wilson sets to the SCJGA to distribute to aspiring junior golfers in need of clubs. We thank Marilyn and the Connell family for their donations and efforts to grow the game of golf thru compassion while helping a child.
About the South Carolina Junior Golf Association
The purpose of the South Carolina Junior Golf Association is to continue the history and traditions of the ancient game of golf through its members and an active outreach to the youth of our state. Established in 1990 by community leaders with a love for the game and a commitment to passing on golf’s heritage to the youth of South Carolina, the SCJGA is committed to meeting the needs of all young people in the state and providing playing opportunities to boys and girls that might not otherwise have the chance to experience golf and its many benefits. Through affordable opportunities of play, instruction and competition, juniors of all ages, walks of life and skill levels will be touched by the character of the game. It helps to teach them honor, sportsmanship and respect and makes them better prepared to face the challenges ahead in life.
For more information about the South Carolina Junior Golf Association, visit www.scjga.org
