The Devlin is a Lowcountry must-play with a vibe all its own
There is no hiding at the Devlin. Sure, it’s a 54-hole team tournament, but come Sunday, the best-ball format becomes a combined-score format. Add a golf course in major championship condition – firm fairways, fast greens – and one of the first major amateur events of the summer amounts to one that requires some strategy.
The Devlin, played at Secession Golf Club in Beaufort, S.C., celebrates its 41st anniversary this year. It’s the eighth year the Devlin has been played in the Lowcountry, having moved from Montgomery, Texas after the 2011 event.
Demand is high, and this year’s wait list reached an all-time length. The tournament runs May 31-June 2.
The Devlin has a vibe all its own. Bruce Devlin, an Australian professional golfer, sportscaster and golf course designer, is annually on hand to greet players on the first tee. The cannon in front of the clubhouse actually works, and is fired during tournament week.
Thus, the tournament divisions are aptly named. The Cannon (Championship) Division is for mid-amateurs age 25 and over with combined handicap of 7.0 or less, and the Saber (Senior) Division is for players in the 50-and-over age group with a combined handicap of 9.0 or less.
Secession Golf Club is an all-walking par-72 (36-36), links style golf course that plays at 7,068 yards and has fourteen holes routed along the scenic tidal marshes of the Lowcountry, providing both a challenge and exceptional natural beauty. The open, exposed nature of the course guarantees a different golf experience almost every round because of the shifting winds and tides.
Check AmateurGolf.com throughout the week of the tournament for round-by-round results and coverage.