History
The Columbia Pro-Duffers golf club was installed as a new chapter of the Pro-Duffers USA on November 20, 2010. The ceremony was held following a round of golf at the Crickentree Golf Club. There were 37 members installed by National President Chuck Stradford and given the Pro-Duffers, USA Crescent. The Charlotte Chapter was very supportive of this event and sent 5 players for participation from their chapter. The Columbia Pro-Duffers golf club grew out of inactivity of the legendary Ridgewood Golf Club and Greg Pryor’s positive experiences as a member of the Del Val Golf Club (Philadelphia/New Jersey Chapter). The founders of the South Carolina Pro Duffers included Greg Pryor, Freddie Roberson, Delano Stewart, Valentino Pinckney, Ben Trapp, Herbert Walker and Samuel Boyd.
Original slate of officers:
- President………......….Greg Pryor
- Vice President…........Valentino Pinckney
- Treasurer…………....…Herbert Walker
- Secretary ………….......Delano Stewart
- Parliamentarian......…Freddie Roberson
- Chaplain………….....…..Reverend E.F. Street
The highlight event for the first year of operation was the Battle for the South which was advertised as one of most exciting Regional Events for 2011 in the country! This idea of Chapter competition was spearheaded by the Columbia Chapter President Gregory Pryor. A geographically friendly location, Augusta, Georgia (Home of the Masters) was chosen for this event. This event was held at the fabulously manicured four star golf courses Mount Vintage in North Augusta and Bartram Trail in Evans, GA. on Friday, June 24 – Sunday, June 26, 2011. Tournament headquarters for this event was the beautiful Augusta Marriott Hotel & Suites. The competition was based on match play and the field included 12 players from the Columbia Chapter and 16 players from the Atlanta Chapter. As you would have it the first event ended in a tie with 6 wins for Columbia and 6 wins for Atlanta. However, the tie breaker went to the Atlanta Chapter. This event was so popular that it has become a mainstay for both Chapters and has attracted match play completion in future years from Charlotte, and Orlando. Another match play event was held on August 27, 2011 which matched the Columbia Chapter against the Charlotte Chapter. This event was held at the Cobblestone Park Golf Club. The Chapter closed out the first year of operation with 28 players participating in the “Turkey Shoot Out” held at the Cobblestone Park Golf Club on November 11, 2011. Of course, the 6 turkeys were given as prizes to the winners of this event.
In later years the South Florida and the Orlando Chapters competed in the Battle of the South tournaments held in the Savannah, Georgia area and the one at the World Golf Village, St. Augustine, Fl. One of the major highlights for the Columbia Chapter was hosting the 2015 Spring Fling at Myrtle Beach, SC.
Anthony Reddish became President in 2015 and was followed as President by Valentino Pinckney in 2017.
