The Competitor's Cup is staying in Greenville for the third straight year as the Bob Jones University golf team finished even with a score of 8-8 against Columbia International University.
The two schools played a Ryder Cup style tournament over the course of two days at Greer Golf Club. Eight points would be needed by the Bruins to tie and retain the cup with 16 total points available between the two teams. This was the ninth annual Competitor's Cup with the Bruins winning the Cup last season in an exciting 8-5 victory.
"This year's edition of The Competitor's Cup had no less tension and excitement than the previous ones," said Head Coach Dennis Scott. "The Ryder Cup style format of competition always seems to deliver significant momentum swings and memorable moments. This one was no exception."
From Greer, South Carolina, the two-day tournament got underway Monday morning with four four-ball matches in the morning followed by four foursome (alternate shot) matches in the afternoon. On each hole, each team counted the lowest score, and the team whose player has the lowest score won the hole, receiving a full point. If the low scores were tied at the hole, half a point was given to each team.
Pairings of Brandon Autry and Josiah Swaffer, Timmy Smith and Bryce Coursen, Nicholas Smith and Dakota Holt, and Spencer Cable and Grant Camfield represented the Bruins in the Monday morning four-ball matches. The CIU Rams took match one to get the first full point of the day. The Bruins responded with their second and third pairings taking the wins to put the Bruins up 2-1 before the Rams evened the score in the 18th hole to wrap up the four-ball session.
After a brief break, the Bruins and Rams were back on the course for the foursome (alternating shot) session. Nicholas Smith and Brandon Autry earned the first points of the afternoon as they finished their match on top nine and seven. The Rams tied the contest once again as Spencer Cable and Elijah Cupples dropped their match five and four. CIU gained another full point with Timmy Smith and Bryce Coursen falling in tough match.
"We finished Day One on a high note with a 4-4 tie with each team winning two matches in each session," said Scott. "When it looked like we might be down at the end of Day One, freshman Dakota Holt rolled in a 20-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole. He and Josiah Swaffer put away a very strong anchor team for CIU, four and two in the final alternate shot match on Monday. Though the score was tied at the end of the day, we went away with energy and momentum. It felt like we were winning!"
As the Bruins and Rams made their way back to Greer Golf Club for Day Two of The Competitor's Cup, the forecast showed rain all day. The umbrellas and rain gear came out as the two programs began their singles matches in less than ideal playing conditions.
Coach Scott sent out his early singles matches with several underclassmen as his seniors (Timmy Smith, Josiah Swaffer, and Spencer Cable) were strategically paired in the later tee times to be used as anchors.
"As it turned out the seniors were the difference," said Scott. "Playing in what would likely be their final Competitor's Cup, each of them came through with a full point in their matches late in Day Two."
In the singles matches, the Bruins needed four points to retain the Cup. Three of the four points earned by the Bruins were clinched by the seniors. Brandon Autry took his match earlier day on the 17th hole for the fourth Bruins point.
"I am so happy for this team, especially the seniors who have invested so much into this program. They have led by example and never more significantly than on the course today," praised Scott. "It was fitting that, as we have had to overcome much adversity throughout this season, both on and off the course, it prepared us for this moment to overcome the adverse weather conditions and the challenging opponents. CIU has a strong roster and gave us all we could handle right up to the 17th hole in the final singles match when Spencer came through with his "one shining moment!"
After two full days of competition, the Bruins and Rams each finished with eight points apiece to keep the Competitor's Cup in Greenville as the golf team finished their 2024 Spring season on a high note.
