Catherine Shealy swapped karate for golf — and success followed
Catherine Shealy grew up with a focus on karate. In a round-about way, she discovered golf and developed a love for the game that has produced — and is still producing — achievements to envy.
Just for example, she won the senior amateur division of the South Carolina Women’s Open last weekend for the second straight time. There are also titles in Women’s South Carolina Golf Association competition, the Carolinas Golf Association tournaments and the S.C. Golf Association’s Tournament of Champions and Mixed Team events among her credentials.
Along the way, she competed in the U.S. Junior Girls’ Amateur, the U.S. Women’s Public Links and a pair of U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateurs and fashioned a stellar college career at Winthrop that earned her a place in the university’s athletic hall of fame.
So, how did a one-time karate student find success in golf?
“In middle school, I was the only girl in karate and I had a friend who was the only girl into golf,” Shealy said. “We decided we would both play golf and both do karate. My dad was a huge proponent of me taking up golf, and he’s the one I have to thank.”
Shealy, 51, called herself “tickled to death” to win her division in the 2022 S.C. Women’s Open, and “I’m so happy to repeat this year. I putted well — no three-putts the first day — and struck the ball pretty well, but I have to say I had the advantage of playing on my home course (Cobblestone Park).”
She followed up with a fifth-place finish in the North and South Senior Women’s Amateur that ended Wednesday in Pinehurst and looks ahead to U.S. Senior Amateur qualifying, the CGA Women’s Senior Amateur and the Women’s Eastern Amateur.
Meanwhile, Shealy, who lives in Blythewood, has to juggle her time to maintain her golf game. She’s the mom to teenagers Kendall and Spencer, works full time for Merck & Co. and is an officer in the S.C. National Guard.
“A full schedule,” she said and laughed. “I don’t get to play (18-hole rounds) too much. I hope to get 30 to 40 minutes in the evenings to do what I can do putting and chipping.”
The taxing schedule has worked just fine, but she’s never satisfied.
“Golf is a life-long challenge,” she said. “I’m never as proficient as I would like to be.”
Nevertheless, her record is rock solid.
Stalvey wins again. In her last tournament before heading for her freshman year at East Carolina University, Ella Stalvey won both the amateur division and the overall title in the Women’s State Open.
“A pretty big win for me,” the Columbia women’s champion said. “Playing against college girls and professionals gave me a taste of what college golf will be like, and winning is definitely a confidence booster.”
A recent graduate of Blythewood High, Stalvey posted an 8-under-par 205 for three rounds at Cobblestone Park. Former Georgia player Jean Reynolds (Newnan, Georgia) led the pro division at 207. USC’s Sophia Burnett (Bluffton), the State Women’s champion, finished second among amateurs at 210. Tracy Hanson (Holland, Michigan) captured the senior pro title.
“I gave myself a lot of chances (to score),” Stalvey said. “I had three good rounds in a row and stayed patient under pressure. I felt good on the greens and with my putting and winning will help me in college.”
Fort Jackson GC news. After years of restricting membership to military and Department of Defense personnel, Fort Jackson Golf Club is now open to public play.
“We’re anxious to show off what we have, two really good 18-hole courses and a large practice facility, and we’re dedicated to member services,” said Mark Easley, the club’s new director of golf. “We have the best of both worlds.”
To access Fort Jackson, use the Forest Drive gate and follow security personnel’s directions to obtain a gate pass for the golf course.
Chip shots. Todd White (Spartanburg) won the South Carolina Amateur, then qualified a day later for the U.S. Senior Amateur. His hot streak continued Monday with his earning a berth in the U.S. Mid-Amateur in qualifying at Carolina CC in Spartanburg. ... Jack Crousore (Bluffton) won the boys’ title and Mary Miller (Savannah, Georgia) captured the girls’ championship in the SCJGA’s Beth Daniel Junior Azalea at the CC of Charleston. ... The three South Carolinians in the U.S. Amateur — Harry Reynolds (Greenville), Andrew Swanson (Bluffton/Clemson) and Nicklaus Sutton (Bluffton) — failed to advance to match play after two rounds of stroke-play qualifying.
