Darius Rucker Tournament

Long Cove Golf Club is partnering again with Darius Rucker and the University of South Carolina to host the 13th Annual Darius Rucker Intercollegiate Golf Tournament.

The tournament is held this week, March 3-5 at the Long Cove Golf Course in Hilton Head.  Darius Rucker stated that “Long Cove is one of the best courses, if not the best, on Hilton Head Island…they do an amazing job with our tournament, and we are blessed to be able to host at this course”.  Long Cove, a Pete Dye design, is ranked #17 in Golfweek’s Top 200 residential courses in the US.

The Darius Rucker Tournament is the only regular season Women’s College tournament televised live on the Golf Channel all three days. Tee times will be posted on the Long Cove website each afternoon for the next day.

The night before the golf tournament there is a private Darius Rucker Concert for the players, coaches, sponsors and Long Cove residents.

The college golf season recently started, and most schools have only played in six to ten tournaments.  The Darius Rucker field consists of the following teams.  The schools with rankings as of February 5th, this writing, will be noted:   University of South Carolina (4), Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas (2), Auburn, Baylor, Duke (20), Georgia, Kentucky, LSU (15), Mississippi State (11), Northwestern (10), Ohio State, UCLA, Texas (6), Vanderbilt and Wake Forest (12).

Arizona State is back to defend its 2024 Championship.  The individual championship last year ended in a four-way tie.  Lopez Ramirez, Arkansas, shot a 7-under 64 last year to set the tournament record.  Hannah Darling, South Carolina, also tied for first last year. 

South Carolina has two local girls on their roster, Camila Burnett, redshirt sophomore and her sister Sophia Burnett (graduate student).

Marie Jose Marin (Arkansas) is the number one ranked woman in college golf and should be one of the favorites.

There is no charge to come to the tournament and parking is free at the Central Church across the street (975 William Hilton Parkway).  Complimentary shuttles are provided from the parking lot to the tournament entrance.  There are on site refreshments for purchase and credit cards are preferred.

If you have any questions about the tournament, you can visit the tournament website at www.LongCoveDRI.com or call (843)686-1076.

Dr. Jean Harris is an LPGA Master Professional at Pinecrest Golf Club. Jean.golfdoctor.harris@gmail.com