South-Carolina
New Leadership for South Carolina National Guard as Maj. Gen. Robin B. Stilwell Assumes Command
WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. – A new era has begun for the South Carolina Military Department as U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Robin B. Stilwell officially assumed command from U.S. Army Maj. Gen. R. Van McCarty during a change of command ceremony held on May 31, 2025. The transition took place at the Lexington District 2 Performing Arts Center in West Columbia, witnessed by a large gathering of friends, family, Soldiers, Airmen, State Guard members, and state and federal government officials. The 246th Army Band of the South Carolina National Guard provided musical accompaniment for the dignified event.
Governor Henry McMaster presided over the traditional passing of the colors, a symbolic gesture signifying the transfer of authority. Governor McMaster received the colors from Maj. Gen. McCarty, marking his relinquishment of command, and then presented them to Maj. Gen. Stilwell, formally recognizing him as the 30th Adjutant General of South Carolina.
Governor McMaster lauded the incoming leader, stating, “Major General Stilwell’s years of experience and proven leadership within the South Carolina National Guard have prepared him to take on this critical role. I know that he will serve our state with honor and distinction, ensuring the National Guard remains ready to protect South Carolinians and support our communities in times of need.”
Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette echoed these sentiments, highlighting Maj. Gen. Stilwell’s qualifications: “Major General Stilwell brings decades of proven leadership, operational experience, and a deep understanding of the South Carolina National Guard to this new role. His commitment to readiness, resilience, and service make him the right leader to carry on Major General McCarty’s legacy and guide the National Guard into the future.”
Maj. Gen. Stilwell, a native of Greenville, South Carolina, began his military journey by enrolling in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at The Citadel in 1985, commissioning as an Infantry officer upon graduation. His extensive career within the South Carolina National Guard includes serving as director of joint staff and deputy commanding general-reserve affairs at the U.S. Army War College. He has deployed to Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Kuwait, earning numerous awards and decorations for his dedicated service.
Beyond his military achievements, Maj. Gen. Stilwell is a Circuit Court Judge for the State of South Carolina, bringing a unique blend of legal and military expertise to his new role. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from The Citadel, a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina, and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, where he was a Distinguished Graduate. He is also a Level III, joint qualified officer and a Liberty Fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, actively serving on various community boards. Maj. Gen. Stilwell is married to Charlotte Whelan Stilwell and they have three children: Eli, Dee, and Joseph. In his remarks, Maj. Gen. Stilwell praised the efforts of his predecessor and committed to continuing to build upon the success and effectiveness of the South Carolina National Guard.
The outgoing Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. R. Van McCarty, a native of South Carolina, leaves a remarkable legacy after more than 42 years of service. A 1982 graduate of The Citadel with a United States Army Reserve commission in the Field Artillery, he commanded units at every echelon from Battery to Brigade. His previous command assignments include Battery Commander, Alpha Battery, 4th Battalion, 178th Field Artillery; Battalion Commander, 1st Battalion, 178th Field Artillery (Operation Iraqi Freedom); Regional Police Advisory Commander (Operation Enduring Freedom), 218th Enhanced Separate Brigade; Commander 59th Troop Command, Assistant Adjutant Army, and Deputy Adjutant General. Maj. Gen. McCarty plans to enjoy a well-deserved retirement with his wife Susan, daughter Madelynn, four sons, and six granddaughters.
As the 30th Adjutant General of South Carolina, Maj. Gen. Stilwell will serve as the top military advisor to the Governor, leading both the SC Army and Air National Guard, the SC Emergency Management Division, and playing a critical role in planning disaster preparedness and response efforts with agencies like FEMA. The South Carolina National Guard looks forward to a new chapter of leadership under Maj. Gen. Robin B. Stilwell.
3
All that separated Connor Doyal from the biggest win of his amateur golfing career was 5 feet of perfectly manicured green on Hole No. 18 at Naples National Golf Club. That plus a super-sized case of the yips.
“My hands were shaking uncontrollably,” said the 26-year-old mid-amateur from Charleston, South Carolina. “But I’ve had some moments like this before, and I think I’ve just learned to let it happen and not fight it. I knew it wasn’t going to be the best stroke of my life, but in the moment, I just had to trust myself to make the putt.”
Advertisement
Just as he had for much of the third and final round of the 30th annual Terra Cotta Invitational, Doyal delivered, dropping in the putt to win the event by one stroke over 17-year-old junior golfer Dawson Lew of Toronto, Canada.
Connor Doyal, a 26-year-old mid-amateur golfer from Charleston, S.C., celebrates with the trophy after winning the 30th annual Terra Cotta Invitational on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Doyal, who entered the day two shots behind co-leaders Giuseppe Puebla of Royal Palm Beach and University of Florida senior Parker Bell, shot 5-under 67 to finish 12-under, two shots off the low-scoring record for the 54-hole tournament.
“Honestly, I just hit the ball fantastic start to finish,” Doyal said. “I hit a ton of greens and then the putter started heating up. I woke up feeling good this morning, and I knew I had it in me.
Advertisement
“Coming down the stretch, I had to battle. I’m just glad it’s over. I mean, the heart rate is still extremely high right now.”
Doyal had seven birdies in his final round, the best of which came on the par-4 No. 14. He used his six-iron to blast his second shot 220 yards to within inches of the cup, setting up a short putt that gave him a one-shot lead over Bell.
Doyal followed with a birdie on No. 15 to up his lead to two strokes, but made things interesting by shorting a putt on No. 17 for bogey.
Playing in a group just ahead of Doyel, Lew missed a 35-foot try for birdie on the par-5 No. 18 a smidge left to finish at 11-under after a final round 68.
Advertisement
Clinging to that one-shot lead on No. 18, an admittedly amped-up Doyal nearly overshot the green on his third shot from about 80 yards out, the ball settling on the back fringe. He followed with a deft chip, setting up his tournament-winning putt.
“It was a little bit nervy there, but I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Doyal said. “I’m always going to be able to look back at that up and down on 18 and be like I have what it takes when the pressure is on.”
Widely regarded as one of the best amateur events for junior golfers in the country, the Terra Cotta’s field included nearly the entirety of the top 25 in the Rolex American Junior Golf rankings. That included Luke Colton of Frisco, Texas, who was gunning for an unprecedented third consecutive Terra Cotta championship. The 18-year-old Vanderbilt commit came up short in his quest, finishing 3-under and in a tie for 21st place.
“I started off pretty bad, just kind of had a weird first day,” said Colton, who opened with a 2-over 74. “Nothing was going my way. But I was pretty happy with the way I ended it.”
Advertisement
Colton said the Terra Cotta is one of his favorite events of the season.
“You’ve got a great field and obviously an amazing course,” he said. “I think that’s why everybody wants to come and play at this tournament.”
Another top junior was a late and unreported entry to the Terra Cotta. Charlie Woods, son of golfing great Tiger Woods, got off to a rough start with an opening round 79, but shot a 3-under 69 in the final round to finish in a tie for 42nd place with a 3-over 219.
Among the five Naples-area competitors, former Gulf Coast High School standout and current University of Florida golfer Noah Kent had the best showing. The 20-year-old finished with a 2-over 218 for the tournament, placing him in a tie for 34th. The other local entrants were Spencer Ives (220), Brian Bassett (222), Jack Ryan Donovan (224), and Kaden Latrielle (229).
Advertisement
Contact Sports Reporter Dan DeLuca at ddeluca@usatodayco.com. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Connor Doyal wins Florida amateur event, Charlie Woods ties for 42nd
Columbia, Mo. — The South Carolina softball team (25-21, 4-13) dropped the second game of its series at Missouri (24-23, 7-10) 5-0 Saturday night (Apr. 18).
Kai Byars led the Gamecocks with a pair of doubles on the night. It was her second multi-hit game of the season and her first game with multiple extra base hits.
The Tigers scored a run in the third inning without the aid of a hit. They would extend the lead and add four more in the fourth.
Carolina’s best opportunity for a run came in third. Byars doubled to lead off the inning and Shae Anderson followed with a bunt single. A double play on a potential sacrifice fly ended the rally.
Emma Friedel (8-4) took the loss, allowing one run on no hits in 3 1-3 innings. She struck out six and walked three.
The rubber game of the series will be tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET.
Audi Crooks on being in the transfer portal
USAT’s Sam Cardona-Norberg catches up with college basketball star Audi Crooks, who is still looking for her next team.
Sports Seriously
Jordan Lee entered the transfer portal after a breakout season at Texas and the junior guard isn’t going too far. She’s staying in the Southeastern Conference.
Lee announced on Instagram Friday that she’s transferring to South Carolina to play for Dawn Staley after spending the first two years of her collegiate career at Texas under Vic Schaefer. Lee captioned her Instagram post, which featured a video montage of her visit to Columbia, South Carolina, “Feeling cocky.”
Lee was one of four players from Texas to enter the transfer portal after the Longhorns’ second consecutive trip to the Final Four ended in a devastating loss to UCLA. She was named to the All-Region team in the Fort Worth 3 bracket in this year’s NCAA Tournament following her Sweet 16 and Elite Eight performance, where she recorded 22 points, six assists, three rebounds and four steals while also providing strong defense.
After being limited to five starts her freshman year, Lee slid into the starting lineup last season and started a career-high 38 games. She also averaged career highs in points (13.2), assists (2.5), rebounds (2.5), steals (1.5), field-goal percentage (42%) and free-throw percentage (75%), while shooting 34% from 3-point range.
Texas’ Aaliyah Crump, Justice Carlton and Aaliyah Moore also entered the transfer portal. On Friday, Crump announced she’s transferring to Duke, citing her connection with head coach Kara Lawson.
“For me, choosing Duke University goes far beyond one sentence. The moment I connected with Kara Lawson and her coaching staff, I knew I was exactly where I belonged,” said Crump, who averaged 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game her freshman season at Texas.
Crump continued: “Their dedication and vision for the program is truly special, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be a part of it. The connection Coach Lawson and I have built is one of a kind, and I fully trust in her plan for the success of this program. I can’t wait to be coached by genuine people who support my growth not only as a basketball player, but as a person as well.”
Three-time All-American Madison Booker and junior starting forward Breya Cunningham are expected to return to Texas.
Contributing: Mitchell Northam
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
-
Culture15 minutes agoPoetry Challenge: Memorize “The More Loving One” by W.H. Auden
-
Lifestyle21 minutes agoPhotos: How overfishing in Southeast Asia is an ecological and human crisis
-
Technology33 minutes agoBlue Origin successfully reused its New Glenn rocket
-
World39 minutes agoDistress call captures tanker under fire, Iran shuts Hormuz trapping thousands of sailors
-
Politics45 minutes agoTrump ally diGenova tapped to lead DOJ probe into Brennan over Russia probe origins
-
Health51 minutes agoExperts reveal why ‘nonnamaxxing’ trend may improve mental, physical health
-
Sports57 minutes ago‘Demon’ Finn Balor settles score with Dominik Mysterio at WrestleMania 42
-
Technology1 hour agoiPhone and Samsung flashlight tricks you should know