GEORGETOWN, S.C. (August 15, 2026) – Garrett Gillespie of Williamston, S.C., captured the 54th South Carolina Amateur Match Play Championship at DeBordieu Club, defeating States Fort of Myrtle Beach, S.C., 1 up in Saturday's championship match.

Gillespie navigated four days of competition that began with group play before advancing through the 16-player, single-elimination championship bracket.

The championship featured 64 players divided into 16 groups of four, with each competitor playing three matches during the opening two days. The winner of each group advanced to the Round of 16.

Gillespie emerged from Group 10 with 2.5 points, recording victories over Ethan Short and Dale Mercer while halving his match against James Gibson. He opened the championship Wednesday with a 4-and-3 victory over Short before securing his spot in bracket play Thursday.

Once in the championship bracket, Gillespie continued his strong play. He defeated Mason Slaughter of Florence, S.C., 4 and 3 in the Round of 16 before delivering a commanding 6-and-4 victory over David Gibson of Lexington, S.C., in the quarterfinals.

In Saturday's semifinal, Gillespie defeated William Sheppard of Mount Pleasant, S.C., 4 and 3 to earn his place in the championship match.

Waiting for him was Fort, who had put together an impressive run of his own. Fort defeated Brady Senn of Gilbert, S.C., 2 and 1 in the Round of 16, followed by a 2-up victory over Michael Sims of Lexington, S.C., in the quarterfinals. He then edged the 2024 South Carolina Junior Boys' Match Play Champion, Dawson Szabo of Greer, S.C., 1 up in the semifinals.

The Championship Match

The final between Gillespie and Fort was tightly contested throughout the opening nine holes.

Fort struck first with a birdie on the opening hole to take a 1-up lead. Gillespie responded with a birdie on the par-4 fourth to square the match before taking his first lead with another birdie on the sixth.

Fort answered with a birdie on the seventh to bring the match back to tied, but Gillespie reclaimed the advantage with a birdie on the ninth to make the turn 1 up.

Gillespie extended his lead with a birdie on the 11th and moved 3 up after winning the 13th hole with a par.

Fort refused to go away, winning the 14th with a par and the 16th with another par to cut the deficit to just one hole with two to play.

Both players made par on the 17th and birdie on the 18th, allowing Gillespie to close out the match, 1 up, and claim the championship.

The victory capped an impressive week for Gillespie, who went unbeaten in group play before winning four consecutive matches in the championship bracket to secure the title.

Championship Match Results

• Final: Garrett Gillespie def. States Fort, 1 up

• Semifinals: Garrett Gillespie def. William Sheppard, 4 and 3; States Fort def. Dawson Szabo, 1 up

• Quarterfinals: Dawson Szabo def. Patrick Langdon, 2 up; States Fort def. Michael Sims, 2 up; Garrett Gillespie def. David Gibson, 6 and 4; William Sheppard def. James Lightsey, 3 and 1

The Carolinas Golf Association extends its appreciation to DeBordieu Club, its staff and membership for hosting the 54th South Carolina Amateur Match Play Championship.