Dave Sturick
FMMGA Propagandist

This past weekend, through storm delays and some heavy and great competition, we held the SpringMill Cup.  This is the Ryder Cup style event that puts the guys from Springfield vs the guys from Fort Mill.  We had 30 guys tee it up from each side in a 2 day event.  The first day was a team event of modified alternate shot.  Day 2 was a combined team and singles event where the 2 guys played a best ball match against the other 2 and there was also two singles matches going on simultaneously !!!

This was by far, the best installment yet.  After day one, Springfield had an 8 point lead.  (Score Sheets attached).  There was obviously optimism for the Springfield team and rightfully so.  We have been playing this for 6-7 years now and until yesterday, Fort Mill was undefeated with most matches being somewhat lopsided.  This year was different.  Each team knew it was different.  Captains Chris Teachout of Fort Mill and Ryan Wick of Springfield did a great job with pairings and planning.  It was so very competitive in every match. 

When day two started, Fort Mill made a little run to tighten up the matches.  With about 6 matches to go, it was about dead even.  From there each group coming in seemed to make a swing in results.  Fort Mill came in and took a lead, the next group would be a big Springfield win and they would take a lead.  It was back and forth and the tension was building on the deck as each match came in.  With one match to go, Springfield had a 5 point lead that honestly seemed like the inevitable would happen – Springfield was going to break the string and win their first SpringMill Cup.  Well in the legendary words of Lee Corso, “not so fast my friends”.  The team of Blake Urbano and Stonewall Jackson Windell came in with a full 9-0 win to make a huge come from behind victory for the home team Fort Mill Golf Club for a final tally of 92-88.

By the way, even though it looks like we won by 4 points, realistically we only won by two points.  If we have 2 less points or Springfield scores 2 more points, this is a tie match.  You would subtract 2 from us and give it to Springfield.   That’s how close this match was. 

A huge shout out to the guys from Springfield and captain Ryan Wick.  They fought and clawed and came so close to pulling this out.  They are a class act and were total gentlemen all through this event.  We love those guys and as the years have went by, we have gotten to know all these guys better and totally respect and appreciate them.  This will turn to their favor one of these days, but unfortunately for them, they came up just barely short.  Obviously when the difference is that narrow, almost all of the team could point to where 2 points could be made up.  I just hope all know that this is fought as a team and won or lost as a team.  100 percent effort was given by everyone and there is no fault and hopefully nobody is putting that anchor on themselves. 

Congrats to Captain Chris Teachout and his assistants.  Chris is a great guy and has worked hard on this. 

Thank you Dennis Rysz and your staff.  You made this easy for us.  Thank you Ashley Patterson and your staff.  The course was in great shape for this time of year and the elements we dealt with.  John Anderson, Marie and that whole staff was great as well.  The food and beverage group at out club is so very far ahead of what we used to have and we are so appreciative !!! 

By the way, the Fort Mill team pic is in front of the newly installed “David Gies Clock”.  I did post some of this on Facebook.  David responded with a hearty congratulations to the Fort Mill Team, Captain “Chout Jr” and to both Blake and Jackson for bringing home the bacon.  Its great hearing from the “Old Pro” and we wish him a great retirement and hope to see him often. 

Thanks again and love to all.