Walter Todd Sr. takes his place in SC Golf Hall of Fame
Walter Todd Sr. ponders a career in golf that spans more than 50 years and the tribute that he receives on South Carolina Golf Day: his induction Saturday into the state’s Golf Hall of Fame.
“I’m very honored,” he said, “but I never thought of myself as that type of player.”
He is much too modest. His achievements — on and off the course — tell why he takes his place among the stalwarts of the game in the state.
His state and area accomplishments include SCGA and CGA mid-amateur titles, seven SCGA Four-Ball championships, four SCGA and three CGA Father-Son wins with both of his sons, nine Musgrove Mill club championships, multiple SCGA Senior Four-Ball wins, three South Carolina Senior Player of the Year honors and the 2019 Senior Azalea title.
“Those just scratch the surface,” said Biff Lathrop, executive director of the SCGA, who pointed to Todd’s national and international success that includes winning the Senior Jones Cup, competing in the U.S. Mid-Amateur, three British Senior Amateurs and four U.S. Senior Amateurs.
There’s more. Todd served on the CGA board for 13 years and was president in 2010-2011. Plus, the Todd family has been the title sponsor of the SCJGA Thomas D Todd All-Stars Championship since 2007 in honor of their father.
“I just love the game,” Todd said.
He is the ultimate competitor; his success makes that clear. But he is also a picture of humility — recall his never thinking of himself as a hall of fame player despite his bulging trophy case.
Growing up in his native Laurens, he played all sports and began swinging a golf club “probably as soon as I could walk,” he said. He credits his dad and older brothers for his introduction to the game.
Now 63, Todd falls into the “late bloomer” category in terms of success. “I played my best golf in my 40s and early 50s,” he said. “Maybe I became more patient and was better mentally, but something clicked.”
All his triumphs are special, but he especially cherishes the tournaments won in Father-Son competition with sons Walt Jr. and Neal. “Those are very dear to me,” he said.
Indeed, the Todd clan represents one of the state’s great golf families. Todd names — Walter Sr. and his sons, brother T.D. and his son Thomas — are familiar ones on tournament leaderboards. In Four-Ball events, any combination of Todds assumed the role of favorites.
Although Todd said that “I’ve lost a little off my fastball” in recent years, he had a productive 2023 season that included a tie for fourth in the State Seniors, winning the CGA Father-Son title with Neal and earning a place in the U.S. Senior Amateur. He finished third in the state’s senior player of the year standings.
“I don’t know how many good years I have left,” he said, “but I hope to play more senior golf. I do love to compete.”
More honors. The induction of Todd and Rod Cerrudo, an outstanding amateur, former PGA Tour player and long-time teaching pro at Daniel Island Club, into the State Golf Hall of Fame highlighted the celebration of South Carolina Golf Day.
In addition, the program at Columbia Country Club included four special awards:
▪ Club of the Year: Santee Golf Resort (Lake Marion and Santee Cooper CC);
▪ Charles Drawdy Distinguished Service Award: Paul Graham for work with Monday after the Masters;
▪ Tom Fazio Service to Golf Award: McConnell Golf for long-time support and staging the 2023 South Carolina Amateur;
▪ Rick Miller Volunteer of the Year: Katie Atkinson for support of the South Carolina Golf Ball.
Chip shots. Furman’s Anna Morgan (Spartanburg) is one of 12 players selected to participate in the USGA’s Curtis Cup practice session Jan. 19-20 at Seminole GC in Juno Beach, Florida. The U.S. team of eight players will face a squad from Great Britain and Ireland in the matches this summer in England. ... Sophomore Frankie Harris tied for 10th, leading the USC contingent that competed in the South Beach International Amateur at Miami Beach, Florida. Senior Rafe Reynolds tied for 69th and both Zach Adams and Gene Zeigler missed the cut. ... Groves Williams (Greenville) won the boys’ championship and Margaret Olson (Fort Mill) captured the girls’ title in the Ford-Picard Christmas Classic at the Wild Dunes’ Links Course on the Isle of Palms. Evan and Chris Eassy (Simpsonville) won the Adult/Child competition. ... Bluffton’s Chris Epperson and Pratt Reed shot 7-under-par 65 to capture the SCGA’s Forty Plus Series Four-Ball at Dataw Island Club. David Gibson (Lexington) and Lee Gronkiewicz (Columbia) finished second, one stroke back.
