MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., January 20, 2016 – With less than two months remaining until the 15th Annual Coastal Carolina Hackler Championship presented by Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday returns to the Dunes Golf and Beach Club, the field of NCAA teams has been finalized. The Championship, set for the weekend of March 12-13, features eight teams ranked in the latest “Golf Week” NCAA Top-50 rankings, including the sixth-ranked North Carolina University Tar Heels. Among the golfers set to compete is Winthrop University junior Zach Seabolt, the defending champion.
This year’s field of 15 teams includes: Coastal Carolina University, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, East Carolina University (ranked No. 29), Iowa State University, Kent State University, Charleston Southern University (No. 45), North Carolina State University (No. 38), the University of North Carolina, (No. 6), the University of North Florida (No. 42), the University of South Carolina (No. 24), Texas A&M University (No. 43), the University of Virginia (No. 20), Virginia Tech and Winthrop University.
Last year, the University of North Florida took home the team title, besting North Carolina State University by 12 strokes. Three of the five golfers that made up the 2015 title-winning team return for North Florida, including senior Austin Padova, who tied for 13th.
A year ago, Seabolt carded a three-round total of 4-under 212 to earn a three-way tie for first. Virginia junior Derek Bard and North Carolina junior Carter Jenkins, the nation’s 26th and 34th-ranked golfers, respectively, according to “Golf Week” will be among Seabolt’s chief competitors.
“We are very excited to host the 15th Annual Coastal Carolina Hackler Championship,” said Dennis Nicholl, Head Golf Professional at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club. “Over the years, this championship has become one of the premier collegiate events in the Southeast. This year’s field of teams is one of the most competitive in the Championship’s history, and we expect a great weekend this year.”
The General Hackler Championships began in 2002 and have become a staple tournament for colleges across the region. Gen. James Hackler played in events on the local, national and international level, and was the Club Champion at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club. Gen. Hackler was an avid supporter of the golfing programs at Coastal Carolina University. He endowed a scholarship for the men’s golf team and was instrumental in developing a PGA Golf Management program for the university.
In addition to this year’s General Hackler Championship, the unique Collegiate-Am Tournament we be held on Friday, March 11. This event allows four amateurs a chance to play with the top player from a participating university. Those interested in playing are encouraged to call The Dunes Golf Shop before February 1.
The only golf course in Myrtle Beach with ocean views and a timeless design by famed architect, Robert Trent Jones, The Dunes Club stands as a top 100 golf course in most major golf magazine rankings. The club has hosted many PGA Tours, Senior PGA Tours, women’s, amateur, national and state events. Recently, The Dunes Club hosted the forty-seventh annual PGA Professional National Championship in June 2014. In May of 2017, The Dunes Club will host the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball.
About The Dunes Golf and Beach Club
Founded in 1947 by Myrtle Beach area businessmen, The Dunes Golf and Beach Club offers the best in both golf and service. The club owns a decades-long record of hosting prestigious high-level amateur and professional golf tournaments, including the Southern Amateur, PGA Tour Qualifying, the Senior Tour Championship and the United States Women’s Open, on its world-class Robert Trent Jones design.
For more information about The Dunes Golf & Beach Club, visit www.thedunesclub.net or call (843) 449-5914.
Contact:
Kyle Oland, KOland@thebrandonagency.com, (843) 848-2120
Paul Hughes, PHughes@thebrandonagency.com, (843) 916-2000
