ABC News 4

Coach keeps golfers hydrated and happy during PGA Championship (VIDEO)

Scott Eisberg

August 13, 2012

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) -- Keeping the best golfers in the world hydrated and happy is no easy task during one of the hottest months the Lowcountry has to offer. There's one local coach that made it his mission to do just that.

Jamie Futrell spends most of his time coaching the College of Charleston women's golf team. During the PGA Championship on the Kiawah Ocean Course, he switched from swing coach to water coach. Futrell was in charge of player refreshment during the event.

"Over a 65 man crew--sunup to sundown, " Futrell said. "Keep 'em hydrated because it's been hot this week."

The work was hard and free. But Futrell says it was well worth it.

""Kiawah has been very good to us over the years," he said. "Hopefully we're doing a small part to get them back this week. We know its a small part."

This wasn't work for Futrell. It was a chance to spend seven days inside the ropes, with some of the best golfers in the world.

"Most interesting thing of the week, I got here at 5:15 a.m. Darren Clark is on the putting green with a spotlight on him," he said.

Tiger Woods never complained of thirst. Carl Pettersson certainly didn't have reason to worry about being hungry. Cool drinks plus plenty of food led to a solid amount of birdies in the bottom of the cup. Futrell enjoyed every second and now plans to get back to full strength.

"Out here before sunrise and coming back after sundown," he said." "A great experience, but I'm going to sleep when I come home."

NBCSports.com

College of Charleston drops opening game of Canada tour

Raphielle Johnson

August 10, 2012

Off-season trips are invaluable to any team, especially those teams that underwent coaching changes.

One such team is the College of Charleston, who is playing a series of exhibitions in Canada under first-year head coach Doug Wojcik.

The Cougars played their first of the tour on Thursday, falling to Elite Phase One by the final score of 71-64. Junior college transfer Anthony Thomas led Charleston with 20 points.

Also joining Thomas in double figures were forwards Adjehi Baru (12 points) and Willis Hall (11 points), with this being Hall’s first game action since 2011 as he redshirted last year due to a knee injury.

“It was a great game,” Wojcik said in the school release. “We knew the competition would be tough against Canadian pro players who played collegiately in the U.S.

“We didn’t shoot the ball really well (38.8 percent) and they beat us from the free throw line tonight (17-of-21). But, we were able to accomplish a lot on the floor and everyone on our travel roster played some minutes.”

One of those players was former Connecticut guard Denham Brown, who scored 17 points to lead Elite Phase One.

If one thing can be taken from this game when looking at College of Charleston it’s that they’re deep in the front court, and that’s a nice benefit to have when considering the graduation of Antwaine Wiggins.

In addition to Thomas, Baru and Hall the Cougars have the physical Trent Wiedeman back, and he added nine points and seven rebounds on Thursday.

The Cougars controlled the boards on Thursday (38-27 edge, per CofCSports.com), and that’s something they’ll need to do in order to threaten reigning Southern Conference champion Davidson.

The one question heading into the 2012-13 season has to be perimeter scoring, but it’s important to point out that starting point guard Andrew Lawrence isn’t playing on this trip.

Lawrence did get some international experience however, as he played for Great Britain in the Olympics. If he and sophomore Anthony Stitt are up to the challenge when the season rolls around, look for the Cougars to be a factor in the SoCon race.