Darlington’s Malachi Cox wins SCJGA Players Series Championship on DCC Course

Malachi Cox saved his best golf for home. The 16-year-old Darlington native captured the South Carolina Junior Golf Association Boys 13-18 Players Series Championship at Darlington Country Club (DCC), winning by five strokes over a field of nearly 80 junior golfers.

Cox opened the 36-hole stroke play event Saturday with a 72 and followed it Sunday with a 73, finishing one over par. That steady play was enough to leave the rest of the field well behind. Hayden Haff of Lugoff, James Maiers of Isle of Palms, and Niam Sethi of Fort Mill tied for second, five shots back.

Cox is a member at Darlington Country Club, where he practices daily. His victory was the product of that commitment on the course he knows best.

“Malachi is an extremely dedicated young person,” said DCC officials, “and his results are showing it.” He is the son of Kim and Clay Cox, who are also DCC members.

In the girls’ division, Callie Lawton of York claimed the championship by winning a three-hole playoff.