2023 Village Greens Golf Tournament Results

The Upstate Amateur Players Tour weathered the storm on Saturday at Village Greens Golf Club as a sold-out field of eighty-three players competed for over $5,000 in VISA cards and cash payouts.

Thunder and lightning on Saturday morning gave way to sunny skies as the wind picked up in the afternoon, gusting over 20 miles per hour. Competitors worked throughout the day to negotiate the blustery conditions. They also played lift, clean, and place after a quarter inch of rain fell on the golf course before the tournament began.

“The course played pretty difficult due to the windy conditions,” said Larry Lee, Owner and Operator of the Upstate Amateur Players Tour. “Cory McEwan and his staff at Village Greens worked with the us to get the course marked for tournament play and helped us any time we asked.”

The dream for Village Greens Golf Club began in 1969 by a group of men who organized the Mountain Valley Development Company. After assembling approximately 100 acres between Inman and Gramling, Village Greens Golf Course was born.

Upon securing the services of local Golf Course Architect Russell Breeden, grading by L.L. Hyder Construction of Landrum began on what today many consider their home course. Of course, with mostly cleared land with which to layout a golf course, many trees were planted to establish the “footprint” of the course. Much care was taken not to hinder the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Almost every hole has a view stretching from Glassy Mountain to Chimney Rock and beyond.

Now, after some 40 years of providing golfing enjoyment for many, the course and its’ current ownership of the Gaines and Gramling Families, have never been more committed to continued improvements. Their goal is to provide the most affordable and enjoyable golfing experience each and every round.

On Saturday, golfers from around the Carolinas enjoyed the vision that the club’s forefathers had in mind. Golfers of all skill levels and ages competed in five different divisions at Village Greens. Here’s a breakdown of the results by division:

Division 1: Two birdies and an eagle on the closing nine holes allowed Dan Constantino to claim first place in the top division on Saturday with an even par round of 72. The Greer, SC native shot one-under par on the back nine to win by five strokes.

Sam Gravley and Bo Herron finished in a tie for second, both shooting 77. Herron’s round featured three birdies, two of which came on the front nine. Greg Moore, Jordan Gozelski, Jeff Helms, and Kenny Kovacs tied for fourth place with rounds of 79. Gozelski’s round was highlighted by an eagle at the par-five 13^th hole.

Senior Division 1: Dan Constantino’s low round of the day also secured him the top spot in the Senior Division 1 on Saturday. Jeff Helms capped his round of 79 off with an exclamation point, eagling the par-five 18^th hole. He and Greg Moore finished in a tie for second place. Rob Gravely finished fourth, posting a round of 81.

Division 2: Brandon Pearson and Joe Tucker found themselves locked in a tight battle on the back nine for first place in Division 2. Pearson strung together four straight pars on the closing holes to hold off Tucker for the top spot. Pearson posted a score of 75, just one shot better than Tucker.

Tucker’s charge began with an eagle on the 13^th hole in route to shooting an even par 36 on the back nine. Jeremy Key made six pars on the closing nine to shoot 80 and finish third. Chuck Nance, Craig Vaughn, and Bob Grove finished in a tie for third.

Senior Division 2: Joe Tucker’s round of 76 cleared him by six shots to win the Senior Division 2 title on Saturday. Chuck Nance and Bob Grove recorded rounds of 82 to finish in a tie for second. Ed Seay and Carlos Mojica shot 86 to place fourth.

Division 3: It took extra golf to determine the winner in Division 3 as Zack Boyd emerged victorious after an impressive back nine. Boyd overcame a slow start and strung together nine straight pars on the back nine to shoot 81. James Dillard and Mary Graham Forest finished in a tie for second, also shooting 81. Dillard’s round was highlighted by a birdie at the par-five 13^th hole. Forest had two birdies on her opening nine holes.

Clayton, GA native Frederick Velazquez and Shayne Burger came home in a tie for fourth, both shooting 82. Velazquez took advantage of two of the par-fives during his round, birding the 5^th and 13^th holes.

Senior Division 3: James Dillard’s round of 81 landed him first place in the Senior Division 3. Dillard rounded into form on the back nine, using a birdie to card 39 on the inward stretch. Todd Lynch, who finished second, got off to a steady start, shooting 37 on the front nine before posting a round of 84.

Michael Fitzgerald finished third with a round of 91 as Sonny Smith shot 92 to finish fourth.

Division 4:  Kevin Vaughn played his final four holes in even par to shoot 85 and take home first place in Division 4 on Saturday. A birdie on the 17^th hole added a cushion for the Spartanburg, SC native. Scott Bryant finished second, carding a round of 89. The round was highlighted by a pair of birdies on the back nine.

Jason Heldt finished third, shooting 91. Joseph Wirtz and Darrell Arledge rounded out the top five with rounds of 92 and 93, respectively.

Senior Division 4: Scott Bryant’s two birdies on the closing nine were enough to lock up first place in Senior Division 4. Bryant shot 89 to finish two shots ahead of second place finisher Jason Heldt. Darrell Arledge finished third, followed by Richard Albritton and Billy Odom who rounded out the top five.

Division 5: Mason Hubber carded a round of 89 to win first place in Division 5 on Saturday. The Easley, SC native made a birdie on the par-three 6^th hole as he posted a front nine score of 43 to take an early lead. Rodney Ferrell finished in second place, shooting 96. AJ Greer and Colby Crow both shot 97 to finish in a tie for third place.

Senior Division 5: Three pars on his final six holes helped George Bright take home first place in Senior Division 5. Bright carded a round of 98 to edge out Jan Kendrick and Tim Kunkel. Both Kendrick and Kunkel posted rounds of 103, as Kendrick secured second place in a playoff. Bobby Lewis and Thomas Lanford rounded out the top-five.

Registration is already available for the Upstate Amateur Players Tour’s next tournament on April 15th at The Fort Club in Ninety Six, South Carolina.