Carolinas Set to Defend Captain's Putter in 81st Matches
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SUFFOLK, Va. (October 15, 2026) – The Carolinas are headed north with one goal in mind: bring the Captain's Putter back home.
Twenty-four of the top amateur golfers from North and South Carolina will represent the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA) in the 81st Captain's Putter Matches, October 16-17, at Cedar Point Club in Suffolk, Va.
The annual competition pits Team Carolinas against Team Virginias, featuring players representing the Virginia State Golf Association (VSGA) and West Virginia Golf Association (WVGA). With the Carolinas entering as defending champions, the team will look to retain the coveted trophy in one of amateur golf's longstanding interstate rivalries.
The 24-player Carolinas roster features 14 regular amateurs, eight seniors and two super seniors, bringing together a mix of emerging talent, accomplished competitors and seasoned veterans.
Among those veterans is Paul Simson of Raleigh, N.C., the most decorated championship winner in CGA history. Simson enters the competition fresh off another victory at the Carolinas Senior Amateur Championship, where he eagled the first playoff hole to claim his 52nd CGA title. His Captain's Putter résumé is equally impressive, having accumulated 46 points in 21 appearances since 2002, the most of any Carolinas player during that span.
Simson will be joined in the super senior division by Jim Pearson of Charlotte, N.C., who has contributed 13 points in eight previous appearances.
The senior roster also features considerable experience, including Rick Cloninger of Rock Hill, S.C., who has earned 21 points in 11 appearances, and Eddie Hargett of Okatie, S.C., who enters with 16.5 points in eight appearances. Hargett also owns the team's longest active streak of consecutive appearances.
Among the regular amateurs, Connor Doyal of Charleston, S.C., brings experience from the professional stage after making the cut at the PGA TOUR's ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic earlier this year. Elliott Grayson of Rock Hill, S.C., captured the Longleaf Pine Amateur and finished tied for third at the South Carolina Open, while Jon Weiss of Florence, S.C., earned runner-up honors at the Carolinas Mid-Amateur Championship.
The Carolinas will be captained by CGA Immediate Past President Rick Riddle.
Two Days, 48 Points, One Putter
The competition begins Friday morning with 12 four-ball matches, followed by 12 afternoon foursomes (alternate shot) matches. Saturday's final session features 24 singles matches, with all 48 points available across the two days.
Each match is worth one point, with tied matches earning a half point for each side. As defending champions, the Carolinas need 24 points to retain the Putter, while Team Virginias must collect at least 24.5 points to reclaim it.
Friday's opening four-ball session begins at 8 a.m., with matches starting from both the first and 10th tees.
The Carolinas' opening pairing of Wade Boteler of Burlington, N.C., and States Fort of Myrtle Beach, S.C., will face Brandon Ramsuer and Justin Young at 8 a.m. Simson and Pearson will take on Bob Bailey and Mikeal Johnston in the super senior matchup at 8:12 a.m.
A New Venue for a Historic Competition
Cedar Point Club will host the Captain's Putter Matches for the first time. Originally designed by Jack Snyder and renovated by Tom Clark in 2003, the par-72 layout features water hazards on several key holes and a demanding par-4 finishing hole.
The Suffolk club has previously hosted numerous VSGA championships, including the 2022 VSGA Amateur Championship and the 2023 VSGA Women's Amateur Championship.
With a talented Carolinas lineup, an experienced Virginias squad and 48 points up for grabs, another competitive chapter in the Captain's Putter rivalry awaits.