Midland Valley Golf Club

Over the last several Throwback Thursdays, we've highlighted the individuals and groups who have stewarded our club throughout its rich history. This week, we'd like to introduce the current ownership team that purchased the club in January 2024 and shares a common vision: preserving our traditions while investing in an even brighter future.

Jeff Petersen, a lifelong resident of the Valley, grew up in Bath and has called the golf course home for more than 25 years. Jeff's passion for agriculture and turf management has defined his entire career.

Jeff earned an Associate Degree in Horticulture from Augusta Technical College and spent nearly 30 years working for Augusta State University, with the final 16 years serving as Superintendent of the Augusta University Golf Team's practice facility. While Augusta University may be a smaller school, its golf program competed at the highest level of NCAA Division I golf.

During Jeff's tenure, the Jaguars captured back-to-back National Championships in 2010 and 2011 under Coach Josh Gregory, led by future Masters Champion Patrick Reed and PGA Tour professional Henrik Norlander. The team defeated Oklahoma State for the 2010 championship and the University of Georgia in 2011. In recognition of his contributions in maintaining a championship-caliber practice facility, Jeff was awarded National Championship rings for both victories.

Today, Jeff serves as Superintendent of our club and is leading the transformation of the golf course into the outstanding facility our members and guests enjoy today.

Steven Petersen, Jeff's brother, is also a lifelong Valley resident who grew up in Bath and has lived on the golf course for almost 24 years.

Steven graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1997 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in both South Carolina and Georgia and has been practicing engineering for nearly 30 years. For the past 23 years, he has owned and operated an engineering firm in Augusta.

As Managing Member of the club, Steven helps coordinate all facets of the business, bringing decades of leadership, planning, and entrepreneurial experience to the daily operations and long-term vision of the club.

The third member of the ownership team is John Lovin. John and Steven have been business partners for more than 23 years, building a successful mechanical engineering firm together.

John moved to the Augusta area as a teenager and remained a resident of the region until relocating to Beaufort, South Carolina, eight years ago. His diverse professional background includes technology, computer science, engineering, project management, and accounting.

At the club, John oversees accounting and human resources, helping ensure the organization remains financially strong and well-positioned for future growth.

The combination of Jeff's exceptional turf management expertise, along with Steven and John's extensive experience in business ownership, engineering, and entrepreneurship, creates a unique partnership dedicated to the success of our club.

Together, they are committed to honoring the club's history while continuing to invest in its future, improving the course, enhancing the member experience, and ensuring that future generations can enjoy this special place for years to come.

Their vision is simple: to provide a place of recreation for the entire Valley community that everyone can be proud of. By combining a deep appreciation for the club's heritage with a commitment to continuous improvement, they are working every day to elevate the facility while preserving the welcoming atmosphere that has made it a local treasure for generations.

Thank you for being part of our journey. We look forward to writing the next chapter of our story together.

This Throwback Thursday, we’re going back 30 years to 1996, when Midland Valley Country Club entered a new chapter under a new ownership group.

Former North Augusta Country Club head pro Russ Flanders joined forces with his son Rusty Flanders, Danny Williams, Lynwood Warmack, and Melonia Flanders to purchase Midland Valley from Jim Ferree, who had owned the course since 1980 with his father, Purvis Ferree, before later becoming sole owner.

For Russ Flanders, the move brought decades of golf experience to Midland Valley. He had served as the head pro at North Augusta Country Club from 1968 to 1995, was one of the original stockholders of that club, and went on to become the Director of Golf at Midland Valley. His son, Rusty, was already part of the Midland Valley story as the course superintendent, a position he had held since 1992.

The new ownership group quickly began putting its stamp on the club. In the years that followed, Midland Valley made major improvements to the property, including a new irrigation system and cart barn. The course also hosted a U.S. Open regional qualifier in 1997, adding another impressive tournament chapter to Midland Valley’s history.

Sheldon Higgenbottom was promoted to head pro under the new ownership. He graduated from Midland Valley High School in 1983, and today, many in the area know him as the Principal of the school, making this another fun connection between the golf course, the school, and the larger Midland Valley community.

The Flanders family would go on to be closely tied to the course for nearly three decades. Russ Flanders served as owner and golf director at Midland Valley for 20 years, and after his passing in 2014, Rusty, Melonia, and Danny carried on the day-to-day operations until the club’s next ownership change in 2024.

From the Ferree family to the Flanders family, this 1996 transition marked an important chapter in Midland Valley’s history and helped carry the club forward for another generation of golfers.

Tuesday July 21st and Wednesday July 22nd
Golf Course Aerification:
* On Tuesday July 21st the back 9 will be open and the front 9 will be closed for Aerification.
* On Wednesday July 22nd the front 9 will be open and the back 9 will be closed for Aerification.

Tee times will be limited on these two days due to only 9 holes being open.

Thank you,

Management

This Throwback Thursday, we’re going all the way back to 1935 at Pinehurst No. 2, where future Midland Valley Country Club founder Orville White captured the professional portion of the Mid-South Pro Tournament.

What makes this story even more interesting is the setting. Today, Pinehurst No. 2 is one of the most famous golf courses in the world, but in 1935, it was going through a major transition. From the course’s opening in 1907 until the spring of 1935, its greens were not grass at all. They were made of oiled sand and clay, a common solution at the time because Donald Ross had struggled to find a grass that could handle Pinehurst’s hot summers and winter foot traffic.

Golfers would putt across the tightly rolled sand greens, and after each hole, a caddie or maintenance worker would smooth the surface back out for the next group. By 1935, Ross had helped develop a more durable strain of Bermuda grass, and Pinehurst No. 2’s greens were converted from sand to grass.

That November, the Mid-South tournament became one of the first big tests for those new putting surfaces, and Orville White came out on top in the professional division. After the win, White was presented the winner’s check by former Massachusetts governor Channing Cox, who was among the notable guests at Pinehurst during that era.

While this tournament was not played at Midland Valley, it's still a great piece of Orville White’s legacy, before he became one of the central figures in the creation and history of our club.

Results of the Red, White & Blue Tournament:
1st Score 49 Chad Moyer / Jon Moyer / Mike Paradise / Wilson Ravenscroft
2nd Score 51 Randy Wright / Burk Johnston / Nick Blankenbeckler / Ryan Anderson
3rd Score 51 Clifton Chapman / Larry Chapman / Randy Josey / Tony Lowe
4th Score 52 Joshua Blase / Tiffany McCaslin / Patrick McCaslin / Carson McCaslin
5th Score 52 George Whitt / Joseph Whitt / Daniel Lott / Chris Parker
6th Score 53 Adam Smith / Allen Tipton / Tyler Rowe / Tres Henderson

CTP #6 Rich O'Connell
CTP #8 Mark Givens
CTP #13 Mark Givens
CTP #17 Jeremy Neal

Saturday July 4th Golf Course & Practice Range Operational Hours:

Due to the Fantastic Fireworks show that will be taking place on the practice range of Midland Valley GC. The range will close at 12:00 noon Saturday and will not reopen until some time Sunday after range is cleaned up of any debris from fireworks.

The golf shop will close at 4:00 pm Saturday.

Thank you,

Management

Midland Valley Golf Club:
Golf Shop Attendant Job opening at Midland Valley Golf Club
Must be able to work weekdays, weekends and holiday's . This is a part time position 20- 28 hours weekly.
Golf knowledge preferred and must be computer savy for Point of Sale program.
Pay based on experience.

Contact Craig at 803-422-2430 if interested.

This Throwback Thursday, we’re looking back to the 1966 South Carolina Open at Midland Valley Country Club, where a 17-year-old champion and his 12-year-old caddy became part of a great piece of Midland Valley history.

The winner that year was Tommy Cuthbert, a young golfer from Summerville, SC who captured the South Carolina Open right here at Midland Valley. But one of the best parts of the story was the help he got from his young caddy, Hank Eubanks.

According to the newspaper article by Dudley Martin, Hank did not even start the tournament as Tommy’s caddy. Hank explained it this way:

“Cuthbert felt that he couldn’t afford a caddy the first day. When he got sick the second day and needed someone to carry his clubs, I volunteered.”

That volunteer job turned into one of the best stories of the tournament. The biggest moment came on the 16th hole. Tommy had hit two drivers, with the second one leaving him in a tough spot about 80 yards from the green. From where he stood, he could not even see the hole. Hank handed him the wedge, Tommy clipped the ball toward the green, and the roar from the gallery told them it had gone in for an eagle.

That eagle became the shot of the tournament and helped Tommy Cuthbert go on to win the South Carolina Open, making him the youngest champion in the tournament’s history. The article called it a team effort, and it’s easy to see why. A 17-year-old champion, a 12-year-old caddy, and a blind chip-in eagle that became the shot of the tournament all came together for one awesome story right here at Midland Valley Country Club.

Tommy’s win at Midland Valley was only the beginning of a lifelong career in golf. He went on to play at Louisiana State University on a golf scholarship, built a career as a respected golf professional, and later served as the longtime Director of Golf at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, where the Tommy Cuthbert Golf Learning Center is now named in his honor. Though he passed away in 2006, his impact on junior golf in South Carolina continues through the SCJGA’s Tommy Cuthbert All Stars Championship, which carries on his name.

Special thanks to Hank Eubanks for sharing this story with us, along with the newspaper articles and photos that helped bring this great piece of Midland Valley history back to life.

The Valley Twilight League June 30th Results
1st Flight
1st Place Pepper & Mike Coleman 32
2nd Place Mark Rowe & Seth Toole 32

2nd Flight
1st Place Matt McAllister & Matthew Royster 33
2nd Place Nick Freitas & Tony Lowe 34

CTP #6 Dan Behan
CTP #8 Tim Fox