Annual Golf Tournament Brings Back Athletics Alumni
More than 200 former South Carolina student-athletes took to the links on Friday to play in the 37th Annual University of South Carolina Lettermen’s Association Golf Tournament at the Fort Jackson Golf Club in Columbia.
Grayson Greiner and Jay Brown
“This an opportunity for us to come back for a little bit of camaraderie, and it’s also a networking opportunity that the Association puts on,” said former football student-athlete Courtney Leavitt (1996-99), who chairs the Golf Committee for the Association of Lettermen. “This is our largest fundraiser opportunity that our Association puts on to provide more networking opportunities. Every dollar that we make off this goes right into our operations budget, and again it’s all about athletes helping athletes.
“This is our largest turnout to date. We had 218 registered for the tournament, and it’s a great mix of football, baseball, basketball, swimming and diving, and some soccer folks out here, and others. It really is a collaborative Association of Lettermen.”
With former student-athletes from many South Carolina sports represented, each has his or her own reason for wanting to come back.
“It’s a chance to go play golf, see some old friends, and catch up with some guys,” said former Gamecock baseball College World Series hero and current Kansas City Royal Whit Merrifield (2008-2010). “It’s about seeing some familiar faces that I haven’t seen in a while. I had a chance to catch up with Coach (Ray) Tanner earlier.
“Carolina is home! It’s always great to come back.”
“I want to come back every year and visit and see all the new guys that come in,” said former baseball student-athlete Braden Webb (2016). “It’s awesome to see all the Gamecock greats that come back and get involved.”
“My best memories are definitely being on the court, wearing the jersey and playing in the SEC.”
– Lisa Burgess
“It’s great that we can raise some funds to help support the current student-athletes and some of the activities we do with them with the Ring Ceremony and those types of things.” said former women’s basketball standout Lisa (Williams) Burgess (1995-99). “It’s pretty emotional in that you get to reconnect not only in sports but with how you’re doing in life.”
“It’s really good to come back and see a lot of the old friends and some new friends that I haven’t met yet,” said Mike Cromer (1974-75), who was a relief pitcher on the first South Carolina baseball team to play in the College World Series in 1975. “It’s just good to keep in touch and get together. We have this golf tournament, and we also have a spring get-together is well.”
Lisa (Williams) Burgess
“I come to this every year, and I probably will until I can’t play anymore,” said former South Carolina catcher and current Detroit Tiger Grayson Greiner. “I love reconnecting with people that I used to spend every day with. They become your best friends, and you don’t get to see them as much as we get older and go down different paths. So, to spend the whole day with them is exciting.”
As former Gamecocks of different ages get together, it’s a great time to relive their favorite memories while wearing the Garnet and Black.
“It’s hard to beat winning that last game and that last moment,” Merrifield said of his 2010 College World Series Championship-clinching hit. “And then to come back and experience it with the city of Columbia, with the welcome back ceremony at Colonial Life Arena and the parade the next day. The moment itself was special. We knew what it meant to our team. We didn’t quite understand the magnitude of what it brought to the community until we got back here. Seeing the reaction that we got was pretty special.”
“My best memories are definitely being on the court, wearing the jersey and playing in the SEC,” Burgess said. “There’s not a greater thrill than tipoff!”
“Being at the College World Series for the first time, playing at Rosenblatt Stadium, was one of my best memories,” said Cromer. “I got credit for a save in the World Series after relieving Earl Bass in that first game.”
The golf tournament was one of several events for South Carolina Athletics alumni this weekend, which started with the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Thursday. There will also be a celebration for the 50th anniversary of the 1969 ACC Championship football team on Friday night.
