Hilton Head Island, S.C. – Greeting players with a perfect island day – the final round of the 24th Jimmy Self Invitational Presented by Greenwood Communities and Resorts at Palmetto Dunes – Arthur Hills Course began and the excitement was in full force.
Beginning the day with a two shot lead, Buggy Reinke would see that lead slip away slightly on the back nine as she carded a double-bogey on the 12th hole. Fellow competitor Adrian Anderson would sneak up the leaderboard, carding two birdies on her final nine to push a tie at the top. With two late bogies in her round on 17 and 18, Reinke would take advantage and sink a putt on the 18th hole for birdie and the championship. When asked what this win means as a first-time major winner with the SCJGA, Reinke expressed ” it’s a big confidence boost heading into my last couple events of the season. I’ve been close to wins a few times, but it’s nice to see hard work pay off, especially bouncing back on the final few holes.”
The boys division provided simila
r excitement, but only one would take home the trophy. Luke Sullivan of Columbia proved consistency is the key for winning. Sullivan would finish the front nine carding two birdies and head to the back nine. Sullivan would make his first bogey of the tournament on hole 14, but would quickly follow that with a birdie on the par-3 15th hole.
The excitement would kick into full gear as Lleyton Renner (Simpsonville) posted his final round even-par, 72 and Sullivan, still on the course would find trouble on the par-4 17th hole and walk away with a double.
With a one-shot difference, Sullivan would need to make par on the final hole to win. With a two-putt par, Sullivan would walk off
the 18th hole a first time SCJGA champion. Sullivan expressed the win was very special to him, being able to put two solid rounds together and clinch the victory, building his confidence heading into his final events of the summer.
The Jimmy Self Invitational is a junior specific tournament designed to showcase great players across the US. The Invitational is named for Jimmy Self, former Chairman-of-the-Board for Greenwood Mills, who died in 1995. Mr. Self served as captain of the golf team at Clemson in 1964 & 65, was on the South Carolina Golf Association Board from 1969-71 and was generous to the game of golf in the years that followed. The parties involved felt this tournament would be a great tribute to the man that gave so much to golf. First beginning as a high school team event, moving to an individual event in 2004.
