Stumble on final hole not enough to slow J.W.'s runaway win
 Page updated 7-24-2008
J. W. Farquhar, with Golfholes.com, is the Carolinas Golf Reporters Association champion for 2008. Despite making triple-bogey on the 36th hole, Farquhar scored a comfortable victory over nearest rivals Chris Cates, with Speaking of Golf, and Trent Bouts, with Palmetto Golfer and Carolinas Green.
Host course for this year's event was the Country Club of South Carolina outside Florence, S.C. The club is an 18-hole private facility that allows limited guest play through luxury rental accommodation on site.
The Carolinas Golf Reporters Association greatly appreciates the opportunity to experience the Ellis Maples-designed course and the club's signature Pittsburgh-style prime rib. Vice-president of golf operations, Jonathan Burnett, and head golf professional, Russell Glover, were gracious hosts.
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New CGRA business address |
| Current and prospective CGRA members please note that our treasurer, Steve Williams from Triad Golf Today, has moved his office. All payments for CGRA business should now be mailed to Steve at 702 Parkway Blvd., Reidsville, N.C. 27320. |
New members |
The CGRA would like to welcome the following new members:
Chris Cates – Speaking of Golf radio show
Keith Jarrett – Asheville Citizen-Times
Mark Matlock – Freelance
Jeff Smith - UNC-TV
John Brasier - Freelance writer
Kirk Lynch - Star 102.5 in Pinehurst
Tom Horan - Golf radio talk show host
Lee Pace - Freelance writer
Bill Bauer - Upstate Lake Living
Jim Connors - News 14 Carolina
Jamie Diaz - Golf Digest
Ron Green Jr. - Charlotte Observer
Scott Hamilton - Golfweek
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Thanks also to PGA Tour agronomist, Bland Cooper, who spoke after dinner at the club between rounds. Cooper told reporters that growing pressures on water supply and restrictions on tools to tackle turf pests and disease raised the prospect of changes in the ways courses are presented for play in future.
Last year's champion, Brian Mull, from the Wilmington Star-News , was missing from this year's field after competing in the North Carolina State Amateur earlier in the week. Thanks to the National Golf Course Owners Association for their sponsorship of closest to the pin prizes.
 Images from 2008 Championship
Final scores
Championship Flight
J.W. Farquhar 76-79 155
Chris Cates 76-86 162
Trent Bouts 78-84 162
Mike Purkey 79-84 163
Ronnie Musselwhite 81-95 176
First Flight
Jim Johnson 85-80 165
Dick Mitchell 86-81 167
Scott Martin 84-87 171
Bob Hodor 82-89 171
Craig Distl 84-89 173
Tom Dorsel 86-87 173
Second Flight
Betsey Mitchell 97-91 188
Ron Bennett 92-101 193
Ed Dupree 96-97 193
Cheryl Harden 100-96 196
Al Blondin 97-103 200
Howard Ward 95-NC
Closest to the pin
First Round
No. 3 – J.W. Farquhar
No. 7 – Dick Mitchell
No. 12 – J.W. Farquhar
No. 16 – Chris Cates
Second Round
No. 3 – Dick Mitchell
No. 7 – Betsey Mitchell
No. 12 – Ed Dupree
No. 16 – Ronnie Musselwhite
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