UGA Builds Golf Legacy Much Like Football Team

By Dr. Jean Harris CONTRIBUTOR

I am a proud University of Georgia (UGA) alumnus. I arrived in Athens as a wide-eyed 18-year-old to play golf for the University. This was before women’s spots were recognized by the NCAA, so we were a club team, but we traveled the Southeast playing other schools and competing for UGA. I eventually received multiple degrees and worked as a college professor and golf professional, calling Athens home for more than 35 years. Golf in Athens is second only to football. Athens Country Club is a spectacular 1926 Donald Ross design. The University of Georgia Golf Course, on campus, was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and is one of the most challenging designs in the state. Jennings Mill Country Club, designed by the late Bob Cupp, has played host to many statewide and regional events and The

Georgia Club, the area’s most recent design is a great layout. For a small city the golf courses in Athens are awesome.

Most people, including golfers, don’t realize that UGA has had the most players on the PGA tour in the last 20 years. I will highlight each of the players noting their wins and their career winnings (rounded off).

As many of you know, Brian Harman recently won the Open. He is now called the Championship Golfer of the Year. The football team is also a back-to-back National Champion.

• Bubba Watson is the most recognized UGA golfer winning two Masters and a total of 12 wins. ($48 million earned) ($4 million more on the LIV tour)

• Brian Harman is the other Major Champion with 3 wins. ($31 million earned)

• Kevin Kisner is a South Carolina native with 4 wins. ($29 million earned)

• Harris English has 4 wins. ($27 million earned)

• Chris Kirk won on the tour this year and has 5 wins. ($25 million)

• Russell Henley won on the tour this year and has 7 wins. ($24 million)

• Brendon Todd has 3 tour wins. ($16 million)

• Sepp Straka, from Austria, won this year and has 2 wins and secured a spot on the European Ryder Cup. ($13 million)

• Keith Mitchell has 1 win. ($12 million)

• Hudson Swafford played on the PGA tour for six years and has 3 wins. He joined the LIV Tour ($10 million -PGA) ($1.5 million – LIV tour)

• Davis Thompson joined PGA tour in 2023. ($2 million)

This adds up to 47 total wins and $238.5 million earned in Men’s Professional golf. Add to that, the success of Scott Parel on the Champions Tour (4 wins and nearly $8 million earned) and you can see why UGA isn’t just a football school. It’s not just the men either. UGA has a rich tradition of women’s golf and the latest star to come out of the school is Jenny Bae. Earlier this spring, she finished runner up to Rose Zhang at the Augusta Nation Women’s Amateur. Over the past few weeks, she has won her first two starts on the Epson Tour and is set to earn her LPGA card.

Conversely Kirby Smart, UGA football coach, is the standard-bearer for the profession and recently signed a contract extension for more than $100 million. Most importantly, he has two big national championship rings on his fingers. He has a net worth of over $25 million dollars.

It’s great to be a Georgia Bulldog.

Dr. Jean Harris is an LPGA Master Professional and teaches at local golf courses. jean. golfdoctor.harris@gmail.com; golfdoctorjean. com

Cherry Cheesecake Stuffed Pancakes

Ingredients:

For the Cheesecake Filling:

For the Pancake Batter:

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup buttermilk

1 large egg

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Prepare the Cheesecake Filling:

8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/2 cup cherry pie filling (homemade or store-bought)

For Cooking and Serving:

Butter or cooking spray for the skillet

Additional cherry pie filling for topping

Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions:

In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the granulated sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract, and continue to beat until well combined. Set aside.

Make the Pancake Batter:

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. The batter may have lumps; avoid overmixing.

Cook the Pancakes:

Preheat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Grease with butter or cooking spray.

For each pancake, ladle a small amount of batter onto the skillet. Spread the batter slightly with the back of a spoon to form a circle.

Cook until bubbles form on the surface of the pancake and the edges look set, about 2-3 minutes.

Spoon a dollop of cheesecake filling onto the center of the pancake. Top with a spoonful of cherry pie filling.

Assemble the Stuffed Pancakes:

Carefully place another ladle of pancake batter over the cheesecake and cherry filling, covering it completely.

Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the pancake is cooked through You may need to adjust the heat to prevent burning

Serve:

Remove the stuffed pancake from the skillet and place it on a serving plate

Top with additional cherry pie filling, a dollop of whipped cream if desired, and powdered sugar for garnish