Elizabeth Cordle Invited To Participate In Elite Golf Clinic At Congaree

Although only 16 years old, Elizabeth Cordle has already demonstrated a propensity for excellence in all aspects of her life. Whether it’s in the classroom or on the golf course, the Hamilton County Collegiate High School student has displayed a determination that belies her age.

Her exemplary efforts have led to a unique opportunity this summer as Cordle will become the second area student to attend the Congaree Global Golf Initiative at Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C. Signal Mountain’s Peyton Ogle, now golfing for Tennessee Tech, was the first local two years ago.

CGGI was launched by the Congaree Foundation in 2017 with the mission to prepare U.S. and international high school students for the college admissions process and the opportunity to play collegiate golf. Those who participate in the program each summer come to Congaree and receive golf instruction from PGA professionals and work with experienced academic and college counselors to advance their preparation for the college admissions process and prepare them for success in life.

Cordle, who is entering her junior year and competes for East Hamilton High School through a co-op arrangement, was selected from a large pool of applicants and will join 19 other aspiring college golfers attending the second of three sessions June 9-15. This year’s program will feature 56 students from 15 states and 13 countries.

Since its inception, CGGI participants have been awarded $3.89 million in total scholarship money toward their college education. The program has hosted 166 participants from 31 countries, with 101 who have enrolled or plan to enroll in college. There are currently 60 age-eligible students who have graduated high school and have advanced to play collegiate golf at 53 different schools, including Clemson, Texas, Texas Tech and Kentucky among others.

“I’m really excited for this opportunity,” Cordle said. “I will be with instructors that have been teaching at a high level to help me improve my golf skills. I also I thought it was interesting because there will be some international students. I thought that was cool to potentially build relationships with different people.”

Cordle’s week in South Carolina will offer much more than simply golf instruction according to Hannah Gostonczik, program coordinator for the Congaree Foundation.

“Elizabeth’s time here will be a life-changing experience for her and for the other kids selected to attend,” Gostonczik said. “They'll be working with educators, guidance counselors and golf instructors to really advance their preparation for the college recruiting and admissions process and prepare them as they go through their college career and beyond.”

The program targets underserved students who otherwise might not have the opportunity to pursue golf on the collegiate level. But the relationship with CGGI doesn’t end once the students enroll in college.

“It's just so much more than just the recruitment process,” Gostonczik said. “We stay with students as they continue on their journey through college, and we stay with them into their early professional careers after they've graduated from college.”

The parameters for acceptance into CGGI – which is free to participants - require excellence in the classroom as well as the golf course.

“We look for students the summer right before their junior year so we have enough time to work with them academically and work with them athletically,” Gostonczik said. “By the time that they're ready to enter their senior year for recruiting, we've had a whole year to work with them and really polish them for college coaches. We also want students who are strong on the golf course, who have that drive to play college golf.”

Cordle’s introduction to golf came through the First Tee program when she was seven under the tutelage of coaches Harry Hill and Kathleen McCarthy, and she continues her connection to the program today serving as a coach under director Tim Haralson. Her first competition took place after completing sixth grade in a Sneds Tour event.

Elizabeth and her father, Wayne, typically can be found playing at Brown Acres Golf Course. She has gained the upper hand in their friendly competition since first beating her dad several years ago.

“I think I was either 11 or 12 when I beat him for the first time,” Cordle said. “I was pretty excited. He was even more excited because I think that was the first time I had scored under 55 for nine holes.”

Cordle has been working with Thomas Smith at Choo Choo Golf Academy to refine her swing, and considers her consistency with the putter as her strong suite. Her planned career path is to become an actuary, seeking to obtain a degree in actuarial science with a potential minor in American sign language.

Henrik Simonsen, the Director of Golf at The Honors Course, has served as Cordle’s ambassador through the selection process. Simonsen’s connection goes back to his days at River Oaks Country Club in Houston where he worked with Bruce Davidson, who is now director of golf for the Congaree Foundation.

“It is very satisfying to nominate Elizabeth and have someone from Chattanooga land a spot in this program,” Simonsen said. “I hope she’ll pave the way for more to come as we feed that pipeline. There’s so much good going on in Chattanooga among junior golf.”

Congaree Golf Club was developed by The Friedkin Group chairman and CEO Dan Friedkin and late Houston Texans owner Bob McNair. The course was designed by Tom Fazio and built on a model of philanthropy. In 2023, Congaree ranked 42nd on Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Courses list

and has hosted two PGA TOUR events.

Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com