Three golfers with ties to York and Lancaster Counties earned spots in the 95th SCGA Amateur Championship Presented by Thompson Construction Group after Monday’s qualifying round at The Wildewood Club in Columbia.
Brandon Truesdale of Rock Hill claimed medalist honors, firing a five under par round of 67 to lead a field of 16 players who advanced out of the 6,767 yard, par 72 course. James Lightsey of Indian Land and Elliott Grayson of Rock Hill also qualified, each carding scores that secured their place in the statewide field.
The championship is one of the most competitive amateur events in South Carolina, and a strong showing from local players reflects well on the area’s golf community heading into the summer tournament season.
Truesdale opened with three birdies on the front nine, at the second, fourth and eighth holes, to turn in 33. He added three more birdies on the back nine, at the 14th, 15th and 17th holes, offset by a single bogey at the 16th, to close with a 34 and finish at 67. His total was two strokes clear of Sascha Robinson of Columbia, who finished second at four under par.
Lightsey birdied three holes on his front nine, the second, third and seventh, to make the turn at three under par 33. He played the back nine at one over par with a bogey at the 16th hole, carding a 37 to finish his round at two under par 70. His score tied him for third place alongside Luke Coates of Florence and Howie Vroon of Lexington.
Grayson posted bogeys at the second and sixth holes on his front nine for a 38, then rallied on the back nine with birdies at the 10th, 13th and 17th holes against a single bogey at the 16th, carding a 34 to finish at even par 72. His round placed him in a tie for sixth, one of five players who finished at even par.
In total, 16 players shot 72 or better to qualify, with several others, including Patrick Langdon of Columbia and a group tied at one over par 73, rounding out the qualifying field. Players who missed the cut finished at two over par or higher.
Monday’s event at Wildewood was the first of five qualifying rounds being held across the state ahead of the 2026 championship. The 95th Amateur Championship Presented by Thompson Construction Group will be played July 23 through 26 at The Quixote Club in Sumter.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
