By Brad King Longtime Raleigh teaching professional Jimmy Hamilton said the addition of Operation 36 Golf at The Golf Academy at Wildwood Green Golf Club, where he serves as director of instruction, has been a win-win-win for course ownership, staff and the golfers themselves. A Garner, N.C.-based, on-course development model and coaching program, Operation 36…
By David Droschak It was hard for Jaclyn Kenzel to imagine winning the 4-A women’s high school golf championship two months ago. Kenzel and her family had just returned from a two-week vacation to the Cayman Islands and the future college bio-medical engineering major was focused on academics heading into the school year. The Pinecrest…
By Brad King Three years ago, Scott Petinga — a cancer survivor and, at the time, a divorced father of three young girls — decided to take up golf as a healthy outlet to spend quality time with his family. “I wanted to make sure the time I spent with my daughters was well served, so…
By David Droschak The Fountain name has been synonymous with golf talent in Raleigh for much of the last decade. First there was Richard Fountain, who went to Davidson and won a Southern Conference individual title. Then Preyer Fountain played golf at the University of North Carolina the last four years. Up next is…
By Eddie Southards Brady Hooks used the magic he found in a borrowed putter to help him win the men’s 3-A state high school golf championship. The Clayton senior poured in one long par-saving putt after another in the final round to shoot even par for the 36-hole tournament at Foxfire Resort and Golf Club.…
Reagan High School edges out Pinecrest for 4A state championship By David Droschak Sasha Hayes was a multi-sport star growing up in the Triad area, with figure skating and golf emerging as her competitive loves as she entered her teen years. Then it was time for another life altering decision – breaking away from home…
By Eddie Southards A new addition to the team and clutch scoring in the final round led the Rockingham County women to their fourth straight 3-A state golf championship. “It’s an outstanding accomplishment,” said Rockingham County coach Mike Williams. “I’ve just been lucky the last four years to have a bunch of girls who go…
By Peter Stilwell The U.S. Kids Golf Foundation took its mission to heart three years ago and purchased the Longleaf Golf & Country Club in Southern Pines. Its goal was to help kids have fun learning the lifelong game of golf and to encourage family interaction that builds lasting memories. The group is making great…
By David Droschak It was quite an early part of May for Raleigh Broughton. In less than a week span, the Capitals won the school’s ninth 4-A men’s golf championship in the last 21 years and watched alumnus Webb Simpson capture The Players Championship on the PGA Tour. Broughton and Pinecrest have battled for…
By Kurt Dusterberg Akshay Bhatia wasn’t at his best when he won the prestigious Junior Invitational in April, but he took another step in his development as one of the top junior golfers in the United States. Bhatia overcame seven bogeys for a third-round 76, good for a one-stroke victory at Sage Valley Golf Club…