College golf returned to The Dunes Golf & Beach Club this week, and the Michael A. Marino Classic once again proved why it’s one of the premier spring events on the collegiate calendar.
Formerly known as the General Hackler Championship, the tournament continues to bring elite fields to one of the Grand Strand’s most demanding tests.
This year, NC State rose above the competition, finishing at 15-under (849) to claim a four-shot victory. The Wolfpack separated themselves with consistency—standing as the only team to finish under par in all three rounds and closing with the best score on the final day.
Louisville finished runner-up at 11-under, while College of Charleston and Coastal Carolina shared third at 3-under, highlighting just how tight things were behind the leaders.
The individual race delivered just as much drama.
Cooper Claycomb (Louisville) and Max Bengtsson (Coastal Carolina) shared medalist honors at 10-under (206), each taking different paths to the top. Bengtsson’s week included a standout 63—one of the lowest rounds of the event—while Claycomb leaned on steady, consistent play across all three rounds.
Behind them, Brady Smith (Louisville) finished third at 9-under, while NC State’s Xander Goboy (-8) and Pearce Lewin (-7) helped power the Wolfpack’s team win with top-10 finishes.
It wasn’t just the college ranks making noise along the Grand Strand.
The Ontario Junior Players Invitational, held at Legends Golf Resort, showcased some of Canada’s top young talent—and they delivered.
In the girls division, Kaprice Park captured the title at 4-under (217), highlighted by a final-round 68 to pull away from the field.
On the boys side, Michael Vivone claimed the championship at 5-under (212), edging a tightly contested leaderboard that came down to the final round.
The event continues to grow as a key international junior stop, bringing elite young players to Myrtle Beach and giving them a taste of competitive golf in a destination known for hosting events at every level of the game.
View this post on Instagram
