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May 11, 2008

Camden, S.C. - USC Upstate standout men's golfers Baxter Culler and Josh Gallman teamed to win the 57th Carolinas Four-Ball Championship Sunday, defeating Harrison Moore and Allen Koon 1-up at the Camden Country Club.

The championship match of the Carolinas Four-Ball, one of the top amateur tournaments in North and South Carolina, featured a first in the tournament's history as both teams were comprised of collegiate golfers. Never before had the final pairing consisted of four collegiate players. Moore is a member of the College of Charleston golf team, while Koon plays at South Carolina.

Baxter Culler

Culler and Gallman never trailed in the match, although Gallman had to convert an uphill four-foot par putt on the 18th hole to secure the one-up victory.

"The tournament is one of the top four amateur tournaments in North and South Carolina," said Upstate head coach Todd Lawton. "It's really exciting to see them continue to play well. Winning this tournament is impressive."

Culler and Gallman took a 2-up lead after the third hole and, after Moore and Koon cut into the lead, extended the margin back to 2-up following the ninth. Leading 2-up on the 15th hole, Culler and Gallman watched as Koon knocked in a 25-foot putt on the par-5 hole to record birdie and win the hole, cutting the advantage to one. However, Culler and Gallman held off the duo on the next two holes and Gallman knocked in the four-foot par putt on the 18th to halve the hole and take the 1-up victory.

Both Gallman and Culler made crucial putts during the tournament. Just Saturday, both players made birdie putts on the final hole to win their matches 1-up. Gallman's putt Sunday was for the championship.

Culler, a junior from Hartsville, S.C., was an NCAA Division II All-American last year, leading Upstate to a second-place finish in the NCA Division II National Championships and winning two individual titles. Gallman, a sophomore from Gaffney, S.C., won four individual championships this year and helped lead the Spartans to two team championships en route to being named an A-Sun First Team All-Conference selection in the Spartan's first year as members of NCAA Division I and the Atlantic Sun Conference.