Mid-Amateur Christian Cavaliere shot a bogey-free 67 in Sunday’s final round to win the Azalea Invitational at the Seth Raynor-designed Country Club of Charleston in South Carolina. Cavaliere posted a 72-hole total of 12-under-par 272 to prevail by three strokes.
A former Boston College standout, Cavaliere slept on the 54-hole lead after shooting 68 in Saturday’s third round. He teed off Sunday two strokes ahead of Australia’s Gareth Steyn, a redshirt junior at Virginia Tech. The race was close through the first seven holes, but Cavaliere took control when he birdied the eighth hole while Steyn made bogey. Cavaliere never trailed thereafter, coasting to the first victory of his burgeoning mid-amateur career.
“My game was firing on all cylinders,” Cavaliere told GGP after winning. “I putted well this week with just one three-putt, and I drove it well too.” Asked to describe his game, Cavaliere, who made just four bogeys in 72 holes, said, “I try to play boring golf. I try to think strategically. It worked this week.”
University of North Carolina commit Preston Hage, the 36-hole leader, closed with a 67 to finish second. Steyn shot 69 to finish third, four strokes back.
Cavaliere had designs on a professional career while at Boston College, but he was also interested in apparel design. When COVID-19 shut down his senior year golf campaign, he started a hat and headcover business at his parents’ home in Katonah, New York. Ultimately, his business, now known as Tremont Sporting Co., relocated to Florida, and its customized headcovers and leather goods are found in more than 300 golf pro shops.
RESULTS
Jim Nugent