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Event: 74th Carolinas Four-Ball Championship
Host Site: Camden Country Club, Camden, S.C.
Playing Dates: May 1-5, 2025
Social Media: @CGAgolf1909

Related: Championship Website | Results | Course Analytics | Photos

CAMDEN, S.C. (May 4, 2025) – Stephen Lavenets of Willow Spring, N.C. and Patrick Stephenson of Columbia, S.C. rallied late in the final match of the 74th Carolinas Four-Ball Championship at Camden Country Club, to secure their first CGA title as a team.

The former ECU golfers delivered clutch performances as the No. 25 seed throughout the match play bracket, including a come-from-behind victory in the championship match. Trailing by two with five holes to play, the duo birdied 15 and 18 to defeat the No. 2 seed side of Harrison Rhoades and John Pitt of Raleigh, N.C., who held the lead for most of the final match.

“This is why I wake up in the morning thinking about golf,” said an emotional Lavenets after the win. “You saw me getting emotional. This is why I go out in my backyard with my son and chip golf balls. It's to win a CGA championship, to win something big. I've seen all my buddies do it, and I wanted one.”

The road to the title was anything but easy. After opening with a 71 in the first round of stroke play qualifying, Lavenets and Stephenson needed a big round to secure a spot in the match play bracket. They delivered just that in round two, with Stephenson carding a 65 on his own ball to help the team post a 63 and advance. From there, every match went the distance, including two that extended into extra holes.

"We were under the gun from day one," said Levenets. "We bogeyed the first hole. We were under the gun from the start. We went back home. We knew we had to fire a round. (Pat) balled out the first three or four days on his own. I was nowhere. And then the last couple days, I showed up and played some golf, and that’s what helped us out.” 

That grind paid off. Facing a tied match on the 18th tee in the final match, Lavenets came through in the clutch once more, securing the birdie that gave them their only lead of the match and the championship.

“I felt like this was our moment,” said Lavenets. “Even two weeks ago or earlier this week, I was standing over shots thinking really bad thoughts. But I got over that one thinking, ‘This might be our only shot. Got to hit one well.’”

“It’s so much more fun with a partner,” Stephenson added. “Honestly, the last couple of days, I almost wanted it more for Steve than for myself. We had someone in our ear all day, grinding together. It just means more. We play all year and you don’t always get a win in golf. To make clutch putts, win matches on the last hole, and do it together, that’s pretty special.”

Even in the final match, they never led until the final hole. Rhoades and Pitt held the advantage most of the way, leading by two after 13. But Lavenets and Stephenson refused to go quietly.

“We were in the cart just saying, ‘Let’s get one,’” Lavenets said. “If we could get one, we felt like we could get another. They beat us up and down all day. But every chance we had to win a hole, we took it.”

“They opened the door on 14,” said Stephenson. “I hit a great chip shot off the hardpan and Steve had a great putt to win the hole. That was where the momentum shifted. If I duff that chip or Steve misses, they probably ride that to the finish. But we took advantage when it counted.”

The team credited their comfort level at Camden as a key factor. They advanced deep in the bracket here in 2024 as well, with several matches going beyond 18 holes.

“Even last year, we went 21 holes, 23 holes, 18 holes,” Lavenets said. “We’re comfortable here. We’ve done it.”

And their connection to Camden runs deep. “Today felt like Camden,” said Lavenets. “Earlier in the week we were asking ourselves where to land the golf ball just to keep it on the green because it was spinning backwards. But by today, the balls were jumping forward again. This place is home. I’ve got so many group chats with my buddies just saying, ‘Let’s go home.’ And it’s because we’re driving here. We love this place.”

The CGA would like to thank the staff and membership at Camden Country Club for their outstanding hospitality and support throughout the 74th Carolinas Four-Ball Championship. Special appreciation goes to General Manager Wayne Watts, PGA Professional Matthew McCarley, Superintendent Nick Price, and the entire team at Camden Country Club.