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O’Donnell Breaks Through to Win 46th Carolinas Mid-Amateur at Broomsedge

 

Rembert, S.C. (April 20, 2026) – Final results from the 46th Carolinas Mid-Amateur Championship, held at Broomsedge Golf Club in Rembert, S.C.

Related: Championship Website | Full Leaderboard | History

After three days of shifting momentum and a crowded leaderboard at Broomsedge Golf Club, the 2026 Carolinas Mid-Amateur Championship came down to the final stretch, where Sean O'Donnell delivered when it mattered most. Closing with a 4-under 67, O’Donnell reached 8-under 205 to secure a one-shot victory and his first Carolinas Golf Association championship in his debut appearance. It took until the 71st hole for him to hold a solo lead for the first time all week, but one steady hole later, the title was his.

O’Donnell’s path to the trophy was anything but comfortable. He hovered just off the lead for much of the championship, never quite separating himself until the closing moments. “I felt like I was just a little behind the entire tournament,” he said. That mindset kept him aggressive down the stretch, and it showed. A pivotal moment came on the 16th hole, where he poured in a 40-foot putt to save par and keep his round intact. From there, he executed with precision, knocking his approach on No. 17 to tap-in range before closing out the win with a two-putt birdie on 18.

The victory adds another accomplishment to a competitive career built largely in Arizona, but this one carried a different significance. “This is my first CGA event, so pretty cool to win my first event,” O’Donnell said. Having recently moved to the Carolinas, he embraced the opportunity to test his game against a deep field on a championship-caliber stage, and he made the most of it.

Behind him, the leaderboard was stacked with contenders who kept the pressure on throughout the final round. Jon Weiss Jr. mounted the strongest charge, firing a final-round 67 to finish at 7-under 206, just one shot shy of forcing a playoff. Sam Jackson, the 2023 Carolinas Mid-Amateur champion and 2024 Carolinas Men’s Player of the Year, posted three under-par rounds to finish solo third at 6-under 207.

Early in the week, Robb Kinder set the tone with the low round of the championship, a 5-under 66 in the opening round. Though he stumbled in round two, Kinder rebounded with a closing 68 to finish tied for fourth at 5-under 208. Patrick Stephenson carried a one-shot lead into the final round but was unable to hold off the late push, joining Kinder and Robert Lutomski in that tie for fourth.

The championship also marked the first CGA event contested at Broomsedge, a venue that lived up to its reputation. Firm conditions and strategic demands placed a premium on precision, particularly with scoring clubs. O’Donnell credited his approach play as a key factor in his success. “It was a total second-shot golf course,” he said. “You had to be really dialed with your wedges and play smart.”

In the end, it was that discipline, combined with timely shot-making under pressure, that separated O’Donnell from the field. In a championship defined by movement and momentum, he stayed patient, stayed present, and delivered when the opportunity finally arrived.

The Carolinas Golf Association extends its appreciation to the members and staff of Broomsedge Golf Club for hosting the championship, including Head Golf Professional Trevor Murphy, Assistant Professionals Quinn Rogan and Wyatt Grillo, and Superintendent Shawn Fittig.

 

 



Carolinas Golf Association Announces Johnnie-O as Official Apparel Partner

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

April 14, 2026 

Southern Pines, N.C. — The Carolinas Golf Association (CGA) has announced a new partnership with Johnnie-O, naming the Santa Monica born brand with a significant presence in Raleigh as the Official Apparel Partner of the CGA. 

“Johnnie-O has become one of the most recognizable and respected apparel brands in golf, and we are excited to align their style, quality, and authenticity with the CGA,” said Andy Priest, Executive Director of the CGA. "With Johnnie-O’s product, sales, and marketing operations based in Raleigh, the collaboration with the CGA team in Southern Pines has been seamless from the start, and we look forward to elevating the championship experience for our players, staff, and volunteers." 

The partnership brings Johnnie-O apparel to the forefront of CGA championships and events, outfitting staff, volunteers, and teams across the association’s tournament calendar. With a shared presence in the Carolinas, the collaboration connects two organizations rooted in the region and is committed to growing the game. 

Johnnie-O will be integrated throughout the CGA experience, from on-course visibility at championships to storytelling across digital platforms and Carolinas Golf magazine. The partnership also includes a custom CGA online storefront, giving members, staff, and volunteers access to curated apparel collections tied directly to the association. 

“We’re proud to partner with the Carolinas Golf Association, as it’s such a natural extension of our brand,” said Dave Neville, SVP of Marketing at Johnnie-O. “With a strong presence in North Carolina and a growing, deeply engaged business in South Carolina, the Carolinas are incredibly important to us. This partnership allows us to further connect with the golf community across the region and support the game in a meaningful way.” 

Beyond visibility, the partnership focuses on bringing the brand to life through content and experiences. Johnnie-O will be featured in original CGA storytelling, including social content, behind-the-scenes coverage at tournaments, and collaborative content series highlighting golf culture across the Carolinas. 

The brand will also play a role in key CGA programs, including outfitting Team North Carolina and Team South Carolina in the U.S. National Development Program, further connecting Johnnie-O to the next generation of golfers in the region. 

 

About the Carolinas Golf Association  

The Carolinas Golf Association (CGA), founded in 1909, is a nonprofit organization that connects, grows, and administers the game of golf across North and South Carolina. The CGA serves more than 230,000 members and 700 member clubs, making it one of the largest USGA Allied Golf Associations in the country.  

Through championships, tournaments, handicapping services, and member programs, the CGA supports golfers of all ages and skill levels while protecting the integrity of the game. The organization is also focused on expanding access, engaging new audiences, and strengthening its role as a leader in the Carolinas golf community. 

 

About Johnnie-O: 

Johnnie-O, headquartered in Santa Monica, CA and with a significant presence in Raleigh, NC, was founded in 2005 by John O’Donnell as a premium lifestyle brand rooted in East Coast tradition, West Coast casual, and Midwest grit to create a perfect blend of high-quality product offerings for all of life’s occasions. Johnnie-O currently offers a wide range of premium apparel, footwear, and accessories for men, women and boys. Collections include polos, button-downs featuring the patented “Tweener Button,” bottoms, swim, outerwear, a line of performance gear for the active lifestyle and a robust licensed business across the NFL, NHL, MLB, and the NCAA. Johnnie-O is available online at www.Johnnie-O.com and in-store at 16 and growing locations, alongside hundreds of specialty retailers, and thousands of golf and racquet clubs across the United States. For more information, visit Johnnie-O.com or follow @johnnieobrand. 

 

Media Contact: 
Jackson Sveen 
Director of Media & Marketing 
Carolinas Golf Association 
Jackson.sveen@carolinasgolf.org



Amateurs Dominate 2026 Tar Heel Cup Matches to Reclaim Cup, 9–3

 

WALLACE, N.C. (April 7, 2026) – Final results from the 31st Tar Heel Cup Matches held at River Landing Country Club’s Landing Course in Wallace, N.C.

Related: Championship Website | Match Results | History

After years of close calls, the Carolinas amateurs didn’t just win the 2026 Tar Heel Cup, they took it back with authority, rolling to a 9–3 victory over the North Carolina PGA Professionals.

The amateurs set the tone early in Four-Ball play, building a 3–1 advantage that immediately put pressure on the defending side. From there, they never let up.

In Singles, the amateurs secured six of the eight matches to close out a decisive performance.

The 2025 N.C. Amateur ChampionJackson Spires, opened the day with a 2-up win over Cooper Hrabak of Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club, and Peter Bowie followed with a 1-up victory against Luke Lovell of The Country Club of Asheville. Two-time CGA Champion, Nic Brown, added a 3-and-2 win over John Faidley of The Club at Longview, while one half of the reigning Carolinas Four-Ball Championship side, Stephen Lavenets, delivered a 2-and-1 victory against Bryce Young of New Bern Golf & Country Club.

Zach Edmondson turned in one of the most dominant performances of the day, defeating Chris Haarlow of Precision Golf School, 5 and 3, and Jacob Golliday followed with a 5-and-4 victory over Dave Ambrose of Elk River Club.

The Professionals earned two points in Singles play. Zach Martin of Longleaf Golf & Family Club defeated 2025 Carolinas Mid-Amateur and Carolinian Amateur champion, Brett McLamb, 3 and 2, and Adam Fisher of North Ridge Country Club was 3 up through 15 holes against 2021 N.C. Mid-Amatuer championDan Walters. While Fisher’s result was not officially submitted at the time, it contributes to the final 9–3 margin.

The Tar Heel Cup Matches are an annual friendly competition featuring eight of the top PGA Professionals, selected by the Carolinas PGA Section, and eight of the top amateur golfers, selected by the Carolinas Golf Association, in North Carolina. The format includes one day of Four-Ball matches followed by one day of Singles matches, with one point awarded for each match won. A total of 6½ points is required to win the Cup.

With the victory, the amateurs reclaim the Cup in convincing fashion, delivering one of the most decisive performances in recent memory.

The Carolinas Golf Association extends its sincere thanks to the members and staff of River Landing Country Club, and to Director of Golf Larry George, for their continued support in hosting this championship.



The Spring Issue of Carolinas Golf Has Arrived

 

The Spring 2026 issue of Carolinas Golf is here, and it’s one of our most immersive editions to date.

This issue is built around a simple idea: the road to Augusta does not begin at the gates of Augusta National. It starts right here in the Carolinas, across the courses, communities, and quiet corners of the game that shape the journey long before anyone reaches Magnolia Lane.

From Pinehurst to Aiken and beyond, this issue explores that road from a different perspective. Not through leaderboards or highlight reels, but through the people, places, and stories that give the game its depth.

Here’s a look at what you’ll find inside.


On the Road to Augusta

A behind-the-scenes journey from the Sandhills of North Carolina to Augusta, Georgia, told through the lens of photography, storytelling, and the rhythm of a true golf road trip. Stops along the way include Pine Needles, Camden Country Club, Palmetto Golf Club, and Aiken Golf Club.

This is not a guide to where to play. It is a look at how the game is experienced when you slow down and take it all in. Early mornings, long drives, range sessions, conversations, and the quiet work that often goes unseen.

It is golf as a journey, not a destination.


From Our Fairways to Magnolia Lane

Every April, the spotlight shifts to Augusta National. But the Carolinas are always part of that story.

This piece highlights the amateur players, past and present, who have made their way from our fairways to one of the biggest stages in the game. It is a reminder that the Carolinas are not just a backdrop to the game, but a pipeline.

These are the roots behind the spotlight.


Where the Azaleas Still Bloom

At Cape Fear Country Club, the road to Augusta once ran straight through Wilmington.

This story traces that connection through the life of Joey Hines, who grew up quite literally on the edge of the range during the Azalea Open era, when the game’s biggest names passed through town on their way to the Masters. What remains is not just history, but stewardship. A course, a club, and a city that still carry the echoes of that time.

It is not about spectacle. It is about memory, continuity, and the quiet weight of a place that helped shape the path to Augusta long before it became a destination.


George Cobb: The Carolinas Architect Behind Augusta National's Par 3 Course

The Par 3 Contest at Augusta has become one of the most beloved traditions in golf. This story captures that spirit through a Carolinian lens.

Family, fun, and a side of the game that does not always show up on Sunday afternoons. It is a reminder that golf, at its best, is shared.


The Spring 2026 issue of Carolinas Golf is now available digitally. Take a few minutes, slow down, and step into the journey.

Read the Spring Issue



PAR-TEE in the Pines with Darius Rucker

 

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 • 8:00 PM
The Carolina Hotel at Pinehurst Resort

Get ready for a one-of-a-kind night in the Sandhills.

The Carolinas Golf Foundation invites you to PAR-TEE in the Pines, an intimate evening with Darius Rucker at the iconic Carolina Hotel at Pinehurst Resort. This isn’t your typical concert, it’s a rare chance to experience one of music’s most recognizable voices up close, in a setting that doesn’t come around often.

Even better, it’s all for a great cause. Proceeds from the evening will support the Carolinas Golf Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club of the Sandhills, helping grow the game and positively impact kids and families in our community.


🎟️ Tickets

  • Reserved Seating: $650 (+tax/fees)
    Limited availability
  • General Admission: $350 (+tax/fees)
    Standing room only

👉 Snag your tickets here now before they’re gone.


📍 Event Location

The Carolina Hotel at Pinehurst Resort
80 Carolina Vista Dr.
Pinehurst, NC 28374


ℹ️ Know Before You Go

This is a benefit event, and a few important guidelines are in place:

  • Tickets are non-transferable
  • Resale is not permitted
  • If the event is canceled, refunds will be issued for the ticket price (excluding processing fees)

🚫 Prohibited Items

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, the following items are not allowed:

  • Outside food or beverages (including alcohol)
  • Weapons of any kind
  • Illegal substances
  • Large bags or backpacks
  • Coolers, cans, or glass containers
  • Professional cameras or video equipment without credentials
  • Selfie sticks, tripods, drones
  • Laser pointers, fireworks, or flammable items
  • Signs, banners, or flags
  • Noise-making devices (air horns, whistles, etc.)
  • Chairs or large umbrellas
  • Animals (except registered service animals)

Management reserves the right to refuse any item deemed unsafe or inappropriate.


🎶 A Night That Matters

Great music. A legendary venue. A meaningful cause.

This is more than a concert, it’s a chance to be part of something special in the Carolinas golf community.

We’ll see you in Pinehurst.



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