Panther Invitational high school golf tournament setting the bar high

CONWAY -- When the Carolina Forest Panther Invitational boys golf tournament started three years ago, it had 12 teams in the field and was held at the layout then known as Quail Creek Golf Course at Coastal Carolina University.

Carolina Forest coach Vil Caroso probably didn?t imagine the tournament would get as big as it did this year.

This 2012 event ? won by defending Class AAA state champ Blythewood (311) at the original layout now called the General Hackler Course ? had 24 teams when there was originally going to be a cut-off at the first 20 registered. All of the area schools were in the tournament this year as well as some state powers like Blythewood and defending Class AAAA champ Fort Dorchester.

?This year I had a waiting list of eight teams after the 24,? said Caroso, whose squad finished an area-best fifth after shooting 321. ?We are getting a lot more turnout because of having quality teams. We are gaining more recognition because of the competition and everything else we do.?

Alan Hancock, who coaches Blythewood, said the tournament presents players with a unique experience.

?It?s a treat for the kids,? Hancock said. ?They get to come to a college campus and see some of the facilities. Some of these kids have aspirations of playing college golf. It?s nice especially having it on a weekend so the kids don?t have to miss school.?

Bishop England was in the tournament for the second year in a row and coach John Greavu liked the changes to the course for this year.

?I like the improvement of the course,? Greavu said. ?Coming to a college campus, the kids were really looking forward to playing on this course. At this level in high school, you?re just looking to play 18 holes and to play on a weekend it just draws a lot of competition.?

Myrtle Beach has played in the tournament all three years and coach Casey Beck has seen the tournament grow.

?It?s a quality tournament,? Beck said. ?It has gotten better every year. We?ve got some premier teams, and [it?s] a great experience for the kids.?

Beck applauded Caroso?s ability to make the event one of the biggest high school tournaments in the area annually.

?The quality that Coach Caroso puts into his tournaments ?? Beck said. ?He puts in a lot of hard work and has made a lot of good connections to make it better.?

Wofford signee Grant Waggoner (72) of Fort Dorchester was medalist. Carolina Forest?s Cole Swezey and Socastee?s Josh Hickman both shot 75 and tied for second, while Aynor?s Johnson Holliday (76) tied for sixth and the Panthers? Anthony Caroso (79) was 15th.

Source: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2012/03/10/2709711/panther-invitational-high-school.html

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