Rock Hill golfer set to swing at Senior Amateur Championship

By Karl Lyles - Karl Lyles

It has been a good summer of golf for Rock Hill's Gary Garahan.

Winning his second straight club championship at Rock Hill Country Club would have been a pretty good year, but Garahan, who is retired from the pulp wood business, did a little more.

Garahan will play in the United States Golf Association's Senior Amateur Championship on Sept. 20-25 at Shady Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

Photo 1: Rock Hill golfer set to swing at Senior Amateur Championship

Garahan, 56, placed third in the sectional qualifier played at the Old Tabby Links in Spring Island on Aug. 28. After a practice round the day before, he shot a 73 in the 18-hole qualifier, joining four other players in advancing to the Senior Am.

A total of 156 players qualified from around the country. They will play two days of stroke play. After that, the top 64 advance to match play.

When asked if he is playing the best golf of his career, he said, "Well, maybe not the best golf of my life, but definitely the best in the last few years."

He grew up in Oswego, N.Y., and played for Niagara University. He met Wayne Levi years ago. Levi, a PGA Champions Tour player, went to college in Garahan's hometown.

"I played with him in the summers," Garahan said. "In fact, many of us lived in Florida together after we graduated."

The two still keep in touch, although Garahan hasn't contacted him since he qualified for the Senior Am.

Joe Robinson is the last local golfer to play in the Senior Am. He played in the 2006 Senior Am at the Victoria National Golf Club in Newburgh, Ind.

"I have played a lot of golf with Gary. He is rock solid," Robinson said. "He doesn't hit it as far as everyone, but he has a good, solid game. He plays well under pressure.

"The qualifier, it is just 18 holes. You can't afford to have a bad hole. That's Gary's game. He's been playing all his life like I have. I'm really excited for him. I wish I could be there. This will be great for him."

Rock Hill Country Club assistant professional David Runde had nothing but praise for Garahan.

"There are plenty of guys that hit longer or hit irons better than him," Runde said. "He just doesn't do anything bad. And pressure doesn't seem to affect him."

Runde said Garahan shot 68 in the final round to come from behind to win the last two club championships.

Garahan was an alternate for last year's Senior Amateur after falling short in qualifying.

To get ready for the tournament, he plans to work hard on his game, especially his putting.

"I have to really up my game, Garahan said. "I have played at Shady Oaks. I know the golf course. The greens are very, very quick. I have to work on my putting to adjust to the speed. We don't have greens in this area as large and with the undulation. The USGA will set up the course with tall rough and difficult greens."

Garahan played Shady Oaks in a member-guest 15 years ago. He got in four or five rounds. He had a friend, who has since passed away, that lived there and the two played a couple of rounds about nine years ago. So, he may have an advantage having played half a dozen rounds already.

"It's funny the things you can remember about certain courses," Garahan said. "This is where Ben Hogan played. I met him there once. It is a very unique course. What sticks in your mind are the fairways lined with live oak trees."

He has worked off and on with John Hughes, the head golf pro at Rock Hill Country Club. Garahan's just hoping to maintain what he's been doing well this summer.

"At this point in time, I don't want to make any major changes to my swing," Garahan said. "I may work with John to get my putting ready for the quick greens."

"Gary keeps things very simple. He knows what he does well and he doesn't deviate. The low draw is his bread and butter," Hughes said.