Area artist Simmons creates trophy for the Ginn Tribute

Phillip Simmons, the famous 94-year-old artist from Charleston, was commissioned by the Ginn Tribute Hosted by Annika to create a one-of-a-kind trophy for the inaugural event that will be played this week at RivereTowne Country Club in Mount Pleasant.

The trophy is an iron pineapple, a symbol of hospitality in the South.

The 33-inch by 15-inch pineapple is the first trophy the Simmons shop has created in his lengthy career. He created it in collaboration with his cousin and protege Joseph Pringle.

"I can't remember making a pineapple before. This is a first for us," Simmons said. "We made about four or five sketches before coming up with a design that would work. I'm pleased with the outcome — it looks like a pineapple!"

Having Simmons create the trophy was suggested by Jill Ford, the 2007 chairwoman of the American Heart Association Art and Wine Gala.

Tang advances

Tim Tang of Charleston shot a 2-under-par 70 and was one of seven players to move through local U.S. Open qualifying at Columbia Country Club and earn a spot in regional qualifying for the U.S. Open.

Women's City Am

The Charleston Women's City Amateur and Senior Amateur are June 5-7 at Municipal Golf Course. The tournament is open to female amateurs at least 18 from Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley counties. The senior division is for players 50 and older. Entry fee is $70 and must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday. A single-day handicap tournament is June 7, with a $40 entry fee.

Entry forms are available on-line at www.charlestoncity.info/golf or at the Municipal golf shop. Call (843) 795-6517.

Preisinger at Ginn clinic

Carl Preisinger, the director of golf instruction at the Kiawah Island Club and one of the nation's top golf instructors, will be one of the LPGA professionals offering tips and instruction at the inaugural Ginn Tribute Junior Clinic which will be held from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday at RiverTowne Country Club. All area juniors are invited to attend.

Upcoming

Patriots Point Golf Links will hold a walking-only, 3-club tournament Wednesday all day with reduced greens fees. Call (843) 881-0042.

The Rotary Club of St. Andrews Golf Classic will be played June 9-10 at Kiawah Island Golf Resort's Cougar Point and Osprey Point courses. The entry fee is $250 per player and participation is limited to 60 teams. Proceeds benefit the Charleston Miracle League and other Rotary Club of St. Andrews charities. Contact Rob Rosol at 906-4747, Tom Gibbs at 729-6260 or Scott Motsinger at 200-2692.

The Summerville Elk's Lodge 2719 will hold its annual tournament June 16 at Lake Marion Golf Course. Registration is required prior to June 11. The entry fee is $65 per player of $260 per team. Participation is limited to 144 players. Contact Frank Polkow at 871-9154 or Tom VanLiew at 834-1342.

The 21st annual Kickoff Golf Tournament sponsored by the Wando All Sports Booster Club will be played June 7 at Charleston National Golf Course. The entry fee is $75 for the captain's choice event and the entry deadline is June 4. Contact Diane Lamm at 388-1511 or the Wando athletic office at 881-8245.

The Santee Amateur tournament will be played June 9-10 at Lake Marion Golf Course. The field is limited to 144 players and the entry fee is $125. The entry deadline is June 1. Call The Tri-County Regional Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-788-5646.

The S.C. World Trade Center's ninth annual tournament will be played June 12 at the Links Course at Wild Dunes Resort. The entry fee is $175 for individuals and $600 for a team. Contact Christina Zeid at (843) 852-9880 or e-mail czeid@scwtc.org.

The Dave Pelz Scoring Game School will hold a series of one-day putting and wedge clinics June 5-9 at Patriots Point Golf Links. The cost is $375 per student. Golfers can enroll by calling 1-800-735-9868 or visit www.pelzgolf.com.

Cougar Point at Kiawah Island Golf Resort will hold a local qualifying tournament for the PGA McGladrey Team Championship (similar to the old Oldsmobile/Buick Scramble tournament) June 16. The entry fee is $55 per player. Winners advance to sectional qualifying July 9 at St. James Plantation in Southport, N.C., and those winners go to the national championship Sept. 10-12 at Pinehurst Resort. Golfers can register at www.pga.com/teamchampionship.