Final picks ahead for the Ryder Cup

Although the Ryder Cup Matches won't be played until Sept. 19-21 at Valhalla, near Louisville, Ky., this will be a big week for the Ryder Cup. European captain Nick Faldo will announce his two at-large selections today after the completion of the Johnnie Walker Championship; U.S. captain Paul Azinger will make his picks known Tuesday in New York.

Europe takes the top 10 from its points list automatically: Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson, Robert Karlsson, Miguel Angel Jiminez, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer.

Azinger asked for changes and has only eight automatic qualifiers with four at-large picks this year. Azinger's team thus far includes Phil Mickelson, Stewart Cink, Kenny Perry, Jim Furyk, Anthony Kim, Justin Leonard, Ben Curtis and Boo Weekley.

The next eight on the U.S. points list are Steve Stricker, Woody Austin, D.J. Trahan, Hunter Mahan, Sean O'Hair, Rocco Mediate, Brandt Snedeker and Zach Johnson.

Twenty-three golf writers were asked earlier this week by Associated Press golf writer Doug Ferguson to name their top four, and here's how their selections ranked: Stricker, 17 points; Mediate, 15; Mahan, 12; and J.B. Holmes, 11. Next were Snedeker, 7; O'Hair, 5; Scott Verplank, 4; Austin, 4; and Johnson, 4.

Smunk qualifies for U.S. Senior Amateur

Former Charleston resident Bill Smunk earned one of the five available spots in this year's U.S. Senior Amateur during qualifying held this week at Old Tabby Links on Spring Island. David Hambly of Bluffton was the qualifying medalist with a 71. Smunk, who now lives in Kingstree, Jonathan Verity of Beaufort, William Garahan of Rock Hill and Bob Hammersla of Greenville all posted 73s. Jim Wise of Columbia is first alternate while Jim Burgess of Kingstree is second alternate.

Frank Ford III of Charleston has already qualified by making it to the semifinals of the 2007 Senior Am. The tournament, for players 55 and older, will be Sept. 20-25 at Shady Oaks in Fort Worth, Texas.

Upcoming

--The Charleston County Stroke Action Team will hold a Stroke-Fore-Stroke golf tournament Friday at Wescott Plantation. Tuesday is the registration deadline. Entry fee is $65 per player. Contact Craig Miller at (843) 412-8264.

--The Shriners Hospitals for Children-Greenville Charity Golf Tournament will be played Saturday at Coosaw Creek Country Club. The entry fee is $125 or $400 per foursome. Contact John Russi at (843) 810-6015.

--The inaugural First Tee of Greater Charleston Lowcountry Scramble will played Sept. 8 at Kiawah Island Club's River Course. Contact Ben Grandy at (843) 352-4513 or bgrandy@thefirstteegreatercharleston.org. The First Tee of Charleston program began in June, with summer clinics conducted in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club and the YMCA. Beginning in September, programs will begin for all Charleston County area youths from 8 to 18 who are interested in learning to play golf.

--The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour will play the Charleston National Junior Open Sept. 13-14. The entry deadline is Sept. 5. Contact www.hjgt.org or call (904) 379-2697.

--Hospice of Charleston's fourth annual charity tournament will be played Sept. 18 at the Harbor Course at Wild Dunes. Call (843) 529-3100 or e-mail Jillian Hollingsworth at jhollingsworth@hospiceofcharleston.org for information.

--The 10th annual Outback Steakhouse Charity Classic, benefiting East Cooper Meals on Wheels, will be Sept. 23 at RiverTowne Country Club. Call (843) 881-9350 or e-mail lbrantley@ecmow.org for details.

--MedNeed of South Carolina, a charity providing medical equipment to the uninsured and indigent of South Carolina, will hold a golf tournament Sept. 29 at the Links at Stono Ferry. The entry fee is $300 per four-man team for the captain's choice event. Contact Hubert Smoak at (803) 622-7827 or Stono Ferry at (843) 763-1817. Information also is available at www.medneedsofsc.com.

--The Charleston chapter of the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) will hold a scramble benefiting Lowcountry Orphan Relief on Oct. 23 at Wescott Plantation. Details available at aitp-charleston.org or call Sherry Deese at (843) 830-8432.

--The Cuthbert Cup golf tournament to benefit the Tommy Cuthbert Scholarship Fund presented by the Dorchester Free School Board will be played Oct. 25-26 at Miler Country Club.

--The Grateful Golden Retriever Rescue of the Lowcountry will hold the Tee Off for Goldens golf tournament Nov. 6 at Kiawah Island Golf Resort's Oak Point. The entry fee is $100. Call (843) 971-9483 or check online at ggrlc.org.

Reach Tommy Braswell at (843) 937-5591 or e-mail braswell@postandcourier.com.