South-Carolina
South Carolina Lawmakers Set To Vote On Embattled Judicial Candidate – FITSNews
South Carolina circuit court judicial nominee Melissa Inzerillo was the subject of a legislative campaign which hoped to end her candidacy prior to it receiving an up-or-down vote by members of the S.C. General Assembly. FITSNews previously reported on the efforts of multiple members of the York County legislative delegation to secure votes against Inzerillo after what they describe as a “coordinated campaign of character assassination” against her electoral opponent, York County magistrate Jennifer S. Colton.
South Carolina’s judicial selection process empowers a qualifications committee of the S.C. Bar to submit its findings on judges to members of the S.C. Judicial Merit Selection Commission (JMSC) – a panel dominated by high-powered attorneys who, in turn, determine which judicial candidates are voted on by lawmakers.
Judicial qualification reports are not publicized in the event a candidate withdraws from consideration for nomination.
Some lawmakers feel the qualification committee’s report unfairly discredited Colton – and accused this same panel of producing unfairly unfavorable reports about other qualified candidates due to political considerations, which would be an inappropriate basis upon which to base its determinations. They allege these reports are subsequently used to leverage otherwise qualified candidates to drop out of judicial races under the threat of having a document released that could hinder their career prospects.
“Jennifer was the victim of a coordinated campaign of character assassination,” state senator Wes Climer told FITSNews.
Multiple legislators told this news outlet they felt the integrity of the judicial selection process had been corrupted, and began soliciting votes against Inzerillo – a career indigent defense attorney whose allies in the legal profession insist is qualified for service on the circuit court bench regardless of the process that eliminated her opponent.
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Lisa Collins, an attorney who has spent decades prosecuting criminal cases in South Carolina, reached out to FITSNews to go on the record about her experience with Inzerillo.
“I was a prosecutor and she was a defense attorney,” Collins recalled, referring to Inzerillo as being “very well versed in the law.”
“She had everyone’s respect,” Collins added, noting Inzerillo had “a great demeanor.”
Collins also referenced Inzerillo’s physical disability.
“One thing that people aren’t speaking about, and maybe it’s because people are worried about talking about it – Melissa is disabled,” Collins said.
“She has had difficulty physically for many years,” Collins continued, noting “when God limits some of our talents, he gives us others, and to Melissa, he has given a great intelligence, a great strength of spirit and a great commitment to justice, and I don’t know this, but perhaps that is why she has spent her career defending people who our constitution says should have the right to a defender.”
“Melissa and I have had cases against each other, and we did not always agree, but she was always a tireless, hard worker for her clients,” Collins said. “(She) presented her client’s positions extremely well, and didn’t take offense or take it personally when we didn’t agree with each other, because we understood our roles and were professionals.”
Collins said she understands how the judicial selection process works, having previously campaigned to fill the seat of retiring circuit court judge John C. Hayes III in 2017 – and having experienced pressure to withdraw from that race to clear the field for the General Assembly’s favored candidate. Collins decided to take the matter to a vote rather than be forced from the race.
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RELATED | MORE JUDICIAL SCREENING DRAMA
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“If the other candidate doesn’t believe the comments were right and they were rigged and it’s a bad system, why withdraw?” Collins asked, suggesting Colton should have “let it go forward publicly.”
Collins said Colton “could continue and be in the process, but she chose to withdraw.”
Had Colton stayed in the race, her current position as a magistrate would have prevented her from commenting publicly on the process – leaving her unable to defend her reputation unless she resigned from the bench.
Collins said that when she ran for the circuit court bench she was asked to withdraw by members of the General Assembly during her candidacy.
“I got unbearable pressure, and I refused to withdraw,” she said. “They told me, ‘no one likes to be with a loser.’”
“I don’t mind being seen as the candidate who lost,” she added. “In every election someone wins and someone loses. If you want to use the term ‘loser’, that’s fine, but I don’t want to be seen as a quitter.”
Collins told those who didn’t understand why she wouldn’t just drop out that “my daughter is interested in this race, my mother is interested in this, and I had women throughout our circuit, both attorneys and citizens, who were supporting me, and they would not have understood why I just quit, why I didn’t take it to a vote.”
Collins stayed in “despite these men saying, ‘that’s how it’s done.’”
“Maybe,” she suggested, “that’s not how it should be done.”
“This is the dirty side of politics,” Collins said. “But to me, it is a smear on the members of our delegation who will not say, ‘Okay, this is the process – Inzerillo is the only candidate, she’s been found qualified, and she’s been nominated, she’s been an upstanding member of this community.’”
“I think she’s going to stay in,” Collins said, when asked if she had any predictions about Inzerillo’s plans.
Orangeburg attorney and state representative Justin Bamberg encouraged Inzerillo to do just that.
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RELATED | S.C. DEMOCRAT PROPOSES INCOME TAX ELIMINATION
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“I directly encouraged Ms. Inzerillo to remain in the race through its conclusion and let the chips fall where they may,” Bamberg told FITSNews, adding “she shouldn’t drop out just because some members are mad that their preferred candidate voluntarily chose to not finish the judicial screening process.”
“It’s ridiculous to ask a quality candidate to kamikaze her own chance at earning a judgeship when unopposed through no fault of her own,” he added. “People want a politically and improperly motivated do-over, and that’s is not how it works.”
According to Bamberg, his colleagues “have every right to vote against her if they’d like to.”
“So goes the process,” he said.
According to multiple lawmakers, it is likely Inzerillo will not have the votes she needs to win even if she remains on the slate come election day.
S.C. House speaker pro tempore Tommy Pope, a member of the York County delegation and former sixteenth circuit solicitor told The State newspaper “although we only have one candidate in the sixteenth circuit, from the numbers I have seen I do not believe Melissa will have the votes.”
One legislator who disclosed their intention to vote against Inzerillo cited cases previously covered by this news outlet when asked why they weren’t inclined to support her.
FITSNews has written about a litany of disastrous decisions made by South Carolina’s legislatively-appointed judges, decisions that have repeatedly led to violent re-offenses. One such case was S.C. magistrate John C. Kenney‘s decision to grant bond to Shawn Laval Smith bond despite a lengthy and violent rap-sheet – a decision which ultimately led to the high-profile murder of 24-year old UCLA graduate Brianna Kupfer.
FITSNews reported on Kenney’s bond decision immediately after Kupfer’s death.
Kenney elected to release Smith after he had been accused of firing a flare gun into a car occupied by a father and his child while in Charleston. Smith is now serving life without parole after being found guilty of Kupfer’s murder.
FITSNews editorialized at the time, asking rhetorically “how many more bodies will it take before someone stands up and does something?”
(Click to view)
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Multiple members of the York County legislative delegation told this news outlet they’re attempting to prevent the seating of a circuit court judge who has the potential to make decades of decisions they fear will endanger the public.
While Inzerillo is currently running for a partial term, her election would make future attempts to oust her politically untenable.
“Being a public defender isn’t a disqualifier, but being a true believer is,” York County senator Wes Climer told FITSNews.
Climer added he doesn’t have “any confidence in her ability to fairly adjudicate cases,” saying he is “particularly concerned about her approach to criminal sentencing, where judges have considerable latitude.”
“That’s why an overwhelming majority of the local delegation remains opposed to her election,” he said.
S.C. House communication committee chairman Brandon Guffey – also a member of the York County delegation – told FITSNews he also doesn’t expect Inzerillo to have the support of its members.
“The bottom line is nobody in Columbia sent me here, my people back home did,” Guffey said, adding that he “has to look at what’s best for the sixteenth circuit.”
Guffey said he was uncomfortable with the process which resulted in Colton’s removal – and wasn’t satisfied with having a candidate on the ballot whom he feels many of his constituents wouldn’t want on the bench. Guffey cited Inzerillo’s lack of experience as a civil litigator, saying “I don’t feel comfortable with someone who has only been a public defender.”
“She is a very nice girl, but at the same time if (I) was just looking at a spreadsheet, I would not feel comfortable confirming her,” he said.
Guffey said he expects his colleagues to continue the body’s tradition of deferring to the wishes of a county’s legislative delegation when it comes to the election of judges.
“Typically you respect the representatives that represent a county,” Guffey said. “If somebody talks to me about a candidate in their own circuit, I’m going to make sure that I’m listening to them primarily because that carries more weight than anything.”
FITSNews’ founding editor Will Folks has repeatedly opined that in judicial races, “if there’s no choice, there’s no accountability.”
Just because there is only one name on the legislative ballot for a judicial election does not mean that candidate is guaranteed to win a seat on the bench. Last year, former S.C. House minority leader James Smith saw his judicial bid defeated after FITSNews called out S.C. Democrats for conspiring to remove his sole opponent – an eminently qualified black candidate – from the ballot.
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RELATED | SOUTH CAROLINA COPS, PROSECUTORS SEEK JUDICIAL REFORM
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First circuit solicitor and judicial reform advocate David Pascoe told FITSNews the situation is yet another demonstration of the need for greater transparency in the Palmetto State’s judicial selection process.
“I have no position on the race itself,” Pascoe said. “However, I wish the legislature would take this opportunity to pass a real judicial reform bill.”
Pascoe said “the House passed a good judicial reform bill” in 2024, but the legislation was “gutted by the triumvirate of Rankin, Massey and Malloy,” referring to state senators Luke Rankin, Shane Massey and former senator Gerald Malloy.
“Many senators who oppose judicial reform are no longer here, so let’s pass real reform, which would include better transparency in the process,” Pascoe said.
Pascoe suggested all candidates who run for judicial seats could have their qualification reports released, effectively eliminating the ability of candidates to be pressured into dropping out of races under the threat of the release of a report that could damage their reputation.
“I believe these reports should be made public if you sign your name to run,” Pascoe said.
FITSNews has repeatedly called on members of the General Assembly to adopt a new method of selecting judges in order to avoid perennial opportunities for judicial races to be inappropriately tainted.
Inzerillo’s vote is scheduled for this Wednesday (February 5, 2025). Count on FITSNews to update our audience as to the outcome of that tally.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
(Via: Travis Bell)
Dylan Nolan is the director of special projects at FITSNews. He graduated from the Darla Moore school of business in 2021 with an accounting degree. Got a tip or story idea for Dylan? Email him here. You can also engage him socially @DNolan2000.
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by MARK POWELL
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South Carolina’s first Republican gubernatorial debate in Newberry earlier this month was a cordial affair. Candidates stayed focused on the issues – and kept things civil.
Will the same be said after this week’s second round?
When the curtain rises on Tuesday evening (April 21, 2026) at the College of Charleston’s Sottile Theatre, five of the six GOP candidates have committed to being on stage. Attorney general Alan Wilson, fifth district congressman Ralph Norman and state senator Josh Kimbrell will appear before votes a second time, while lieutenant governor Pamela Evette and Lowcountry businessman Rom Reddy – both of whom skipped the first debate – will make their 2026 debuts.
As of press time, congresswoman Nancy Mace – who had a solid performance during the first exchange – was the only uncommitted candidate, waiting to see how the U.S. House of Representatives’ schedule unfolded.
Regardless of whether there will be five podiums on stage or six, the stakes are incredibly high as we are now just fifty (50) days away from the decisive Republican gubernatorial primary in the Palmetto State. I say “decisive” because the GOP nominee has won the last six governor’s races in South Carolina. Republican nominees are winning by bigger and bigger margins, too, as the last Democrat gubernatorial nominee barely clearly the 40% threshold in 2022.
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The closer we get to primary day, the more likely things are to get nasty – meaning this week’s GOP exchange is expected to yield far more fireworks than the last one.
We’re told several candidates spent the weekend prepping for this upcoming encounter, boning up on stats and pre-planning “off the cuff” zingers the way college students cram for their finals. They were wise to invest time in such planning, too – because a debate this close to the primary isn’t something a serious candidate wings.
A single, careless slip of the tongue or inadvertent stumble could instantly turn into a lethal landmine – crippling a frontrunner and killing their momentum. Conversely, the ability to think fast on one’s feet when opportunity arises can produce the modern-day political equivalent of the Holy Grail – a viral moment that captures lightning in a bottle, resonates with broad swaths of the electorate and propels a candidate to the front of the pack.
If recent polling is accurate, each campaign needs such a boost, too, as “undecided” still sits squarely in the driver’s seat in this race. Remember this, too: if no candidate receives a majority of votes on June 9, the top two vote-getters would face off in a head-to-head runoff election two weeks later.
Here’s a recap of what to watch for on Tuesday night as each of the six contenders (including Mace, should she show) jockey for position…
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JOSH KIMBRELL
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NEEDS: Relevancy
NEEDS TO AVOID: Fallout from his legal drama
WATCH FOR: Who he attacks (and defends)
Let’s be frank: The senator from Spartanburg County is faring so poorly in the polls that it’s unlikely his opponents will waste any of their political capital attacking him.
Also, if recent headlines are any indication, Kimbrell is doing a good enough job damaging his own candidacy.
Things could change in the event Kimbrell – who also performed well during the first debate – manages to land an effective jab against a rival. Guns could then swing his way, and he would likely find himself on the explaining end of unpleasant questions about his ongoing legal woes.
And as they say in politics, if you’re explaining, you’re losing.
For Kimbrell, simply coming off the stage with his campaign maintaining a fluttering pulse would be a win – although as we continue to note, his legal troubles have become all-consuming.
Something worth watching is how Kimbrell interacts with the other candidates. Does he attack any of them? Laud any of them? Given the close relationships between certain consultants in this race, the direction of his venom – or praise – could prove telling.
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PAMELA EVETTE
NEEDS: To step out of the current governor’s shadow
NEEDS TO AVOID: Falling on her face as she does so
WATCH FOR: The number of times she says ‘Trump’
It’s not easy being second banana in South Carolina, where the executive branch is already constitutionally neutered. It gets even harder when your time comes to seek the top job – and there’s very little to show for your time in office.
Such is the dilemma confronting the “lite governor.”
Yes, Pamela Evette has been long-serving governor Henry McMaster‘s dutiful co-pilot these past eight years. And yes, she has reaped the backing of a big chunk of the state’s GOP establishment as her reward. But when the question turns to, “what has she really accomplished?” the answers don’t suggest bold visionary leadership. Sure, highway beautification, stepping on golden shovels at groundbreakings, and saluting student accomplishments are all well and good. But at a moment in its history when South Carolinians are restless and increasingly intolerant of the status quo, such establishment photo-ops “don’t feed the bulldog,” as they say.
The noticeable lack of yeast in Evette’s polling numbers (despite her spending more money than any other candidate) bears witness to her struggle.
In fairness to Evette, the office she currently occupies was specifically designed not to accomplish much (thus ensuring the spotlight always falls on the governor). Still, she needs to move beyond, “if you like what you got from Henry these last ten years, you’ll love what you’ll get from me.”
Voters aren’t having that this cycle, which is one reason why Evette hasn’t advanced in the polls.
It’s a tightrope, though. At the same time she seeks to distance herself from the status quo, Evette can’t afford to let a single ray of sunlight come between her and her boss, either. Or else it’s an indictment of her, too.
This much is certain: Expert to hear that Evette loves Donald Trump. A lot.
Many believe Evette’s only path to victory is by securing Trump’s endorsement – something it appeared for awhile as though she had the inside track to receive. The longer she goes without getting it, though, the narrower her path becomes.
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NANCY MACE
NEEDS: An electability argument
NEEDS TO AVOID: Aggression overload
WATCH FOR: Her homestretch strategy
Should she show up, you’ve got to wonder which version of Nancy Mace will take the stage. Will it be the “Nice Nancy” we saw at Congressman Russell Fry’s recent candidate forum in Florence? Or will it be the “Primary Pitbull,” the Mace who unofficially kicked off her campaign with a scathing “scorched earth” attack on Alan Wilson delivered from the floor of the U.S. House?
Mace can be a polarizing political personality. Those who like her really, really like her; conversely, those who dislike her do so with a vengeance. But with the primary so close at hand – and so many voters still undecided – she needs to convince the GOP base of her electability. Being a bomb thrower on issues she feels passionate about may be good for grabbing headlines, but is it a sound approach to winning over eleventh hour converts?
Then there are her personal issues. Most notably, her infamous meltdown with officials at Charleston’s airport late last October. Although Mace’s base stayed with her after that contretemps, conventional wisdom suggests the disapproval it produced in other Republicans is too baked into the cake to overcome.
Should she participate, the debate could be her last best chance to turn the page once and for all.
Mace’s performance in Charleston – her backyard – will also reveal what sort of approach she intends to bring to the final seven weeks of this race.
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RALPH NORMAN
NEEDS: A rebound
NEEDS TO AVOID: Being cast as a D.C. insider
WATCH FOR: A breakout ‘relatability’ moment
Ralph Norman didn’t have his best performance during the first GOP debate – but he’s promised his supporters he’s not going to let it happen again.
For Norman to succeed onstage in Charleston, he needs to differentiate. This being South Carolina, every candidate with an ‘R’ beside their name claims to be a conservative. But a growing number of those on the right flank of the ideological spectrum – including the founding editor of this media outlet – insist that’s no longer good enough.
And South Carolina’s consistently less-than-robust outcomes would support that view…
These voters want proof that a candidate’s conservative rhetoric on the campaign trail is matched by a consistently conservative voting record in office. As a member of the U.S. House’s Freedom Caucus, Ralph Norman’s bona fides are established. However, serving on Capitol Hill these days is accompanied by the tainted stench of Washington. Look for someone to try to tag him as a “Washington Insider,” a point which Norman has given them some ammunition to hit him with.
Norman has done a good job of differentiating so far. For example, while most of the candidates who appeared at Fry’s forum mentioned earlier discussed the same issues (deplorable roads, the pressing need for judicial reform, etc.), Norman talked about them in a down-home, folksy way that had many in the audience nodding in agreement.
If he establishes “relatability street cred” Tuesday night, it could open up a new path for support while also creating new headaches for his opponents.
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ROM REDDY
NEEDS: A breakthrough
NEEDS TO AVOID: Talking over people
WATCH FOR: A new dynamic to the debate
You never get a second chance to make a first impression, as the old saying goes… and the Charleston debate will be a political first date of sorts for Rom Reddy, a local multi-millionaire and founder of the since-scuttled DOGE SC movement. A known commodity in the Palmetto Lowcountry, Reddy remains a mystery to many rank-and-file Republicans across the state.
Seeing as this will be the first time a substantial number of them take his measure, how will the diminutive Indian-Italian stack up next to the competition? Reddy has previously bashed his rivals as “clowns.” What happens if he fails to impress against them?
Because he’s only been in the race for six weeks – during which time he’s spent at least $1.5 million to boost his name identification – Reddy is a definitional wildcard. He’s also a political novice, one who will be surrounded on stage by experienced campaigners.
Reddy has many bold, innovative ideas for the state. However, he needs to avoid unloading too many at once and steer clear of diving into too many policy details. Voters are just getting to know him, after all.
Still, there’s no denying that Reddy has a strategic opportunity to turn this race on its head.
Will he seize it on Tuesday night?
Reddy must also learn to adapt to political realities. Jumping in the race so late means he has to make up a lot of ground – in a limited amount of time. For him to have a chance to make the GOP runoff election on June 9, he needs to take out the politician most likely to capture the votes he needs. That’s Norman – so watch and see if Reddy trains his fire on his fellow multi-millionaire during Tuesday night’s exchange.
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ALAN WILSON
NEEDS: To be the adult on stage
NEEDS TO AVOID: Taking the bulk of the attacks
WATCH FOR: Strong counterpunches
Alan Wilson’s newly released campaign commercial touts his service in the Iraq War. That experience will likely come in handy on Tuesday night, as the four-term attorney general – the race’s frontrunner – is expected to face a barrage of incoming attacks.
Wilson leads his rivals in the polls – and in the pivotal money battle. That makes him the top target in this race, and the likely recipient of the most attacks on the debate stage Tuesday evening (Evette in particular is likely to be gunning for him).
There’s a big risk with the strategy of attacking Wilson, however. The veteran prosecutor has tried to remain above the fray throughout this contest, and for the most part he’s succeeded. But as the old saying reminds us, you can only poke the bear so many times before the bear roars back.
Wilson has strategically absorbed several punches during this race – but he will not permit himself to become a punching bag as it enters its pivotal phase. In other words, candidates who insist on going after him should be prepared for him to punch back.
Wilson’s team has portrayed him as the grown-up in this race, the one candidate who has stayed above name-calling and petty mudslinging. They would like to preserve that image – but it may not be possible much longer.
It’s often remarked in political circles that Wilson is a gentleman, a truly nice guy. But opponents who think he’ll simply roll over and play dead without fighting back could be in for a surprise. Because sometimes, even the most polished gentleman has a good right hook – and reason to use it.
We have no idea what counterpunches the Wilson campaign is cooking up. But we would be thunderstruck if he walks onto that stage with his guard down.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
J. Mark Powell is an award-winning former TV journalist, government communications veteran, and a political consultant. He is also an author and an avid Civil War enthusiast. Got a tip or a story idea for Mark? Email him at mark@fitsnews.com.
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Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 19, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from April 19 drawing
Evening: 6-2-0, FB: 6
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from April 19 drawing
Evening: 6-7-6-3, FB: 6
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 19 drawing
Evening: 05
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
12-24-27-30-35
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:
For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.
Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.
SC Education Lottery
P.O. Box 11039
Columbia, SC 29211-1039
For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.
Columbia Claims Center
1303 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.
For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.
When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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.”
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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.
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“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.
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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.”
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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).
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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
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Miami, FL1 hour agoMan arrested in Miami for alleged sexual battery on 10-year-old girl – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale
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Boston, MA1 hour agoFormer BYU star Clayton Young crushes lifetime best in Boston — on short notice
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Denver, CO2 hours agoColorado boasts two of the best coffee shops in the Americas, according to new ranking
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