CC of Charleston is ready to host the Azalea (CC of Charleston Photo)

The Azalea attracts the very best mid-amateurs and juniors from across the country and internationally each year, along with a unique blend of college players. As one player stated, “Because of the time of year the Azalea is played, The Azalea brings together a rare combination of accomplished golfers along with golfers who are beginning their careers.”

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P.J. Maybank III wins Azalea Invitational in historic fashion

Last year, PJ Maybank III put on a ball-striking clinic and broke C.T. Pan's scoring record by three shots with rounds of 66-64-68-64. He lapped the field at The Country Club of Charleston by a staggering 11 shots. He recorded the low score in three of the four rounds and racked up 22 birdies and three eagles. He also made just one bogey on the final 36 holes.

The barrage of birdies from Maybank added his name to the illustrious record books at the Country Club of Charleston.

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Five facts about the Azalea Invitational and CC of Charleston

The Azalea has featured a number of the country’s top amateur players. Starting with Frank Ford Sr., past champions include Dale Morey, Billy Joe Patton, Dick Siderowf, George Burns, Buddy Alexander, Vance Heafner, Ken Green, and D.J. Trahan. Ryuji Imada a native of Japan, in 1996 became the first foreign player to win the Azalea. In 2001, Casey Wittenberg, a sixteen-year-old high school sophomore, became the youngest player to win the championship.

U.S. Open Champion Webb Simpson won the Azalea in 2004 and 2007. Other PGA Tour players that have competed in the Azalea are Rickie Fowler, Luke List, Jordan Spieth, Eric Compton, Patrick Reed, Billy Horschel, Mathew Wolf, CT Pan and William Mcgirt. 

Notable players in this year's field include mid-amateurs Nathan Smith of Pittsburgh, Pa., Stephen Behr Jr. of Atlanta, Ga., Stewart Hagestad of New York, N.Y., Blanton Farmer of Bradenton, Fla., and Hayes Brown of Charlotte, N.C. Behr and Hagestad are the last two winners of the prestigious Crump Cup. 

Hagestad is currently ranked No. 4 in the AmateurGolf.com Mid-Amateur Rankings.