If you like your golf in the summer, you’re not alone. July and August are the two busiest months for tournaments on the calendar for courses in the Sandhills.

While the sultry climate of the area is supposed to create a “down” season for golf course activity, you’d never know it from looking at all the play dates.

Pinehurst Resort has been a hub of activity all summer with the annual staging of its North & South Championships ranging from junior, to men to women, and finally to senior events.

The 109th running of the Women’s North & South ended another successful staging on Saturday, and the seniors wrap it up Aug. 16-18.

The U.S. Kids Golf World Championship, the largest event in the universe for young golfers, is being staged Aug. 1-6 and that infusion of approximately 1,000 junior players fills courses and fast food restaurants for the entire week.

While some area courses are still suffering slow play, those fortunate enough to host tournaments are reaping the benefits.

And, while there are all kinds of action going on in the Sandhills, area players are enjoying good showings in Carolinas Golf Association and Carolinas PGA events.

Super Senior: Gary Strickfaden, of Southern Pines, one of the top senior players in the area, made a strong bid for the Carolinas Super Senior Championship in the event held at the Reserve Club in Pawleys Island last week.

The 67-year-old Strickfaden opened with a 6-under-par 66 on the Greg Norman-designed course and led by five strokes entering the final round in the championship, which is open to male amateurs in the Carolinas who are at least 65 years of age.

Strickfaden held a three-shot lead after 13 holes in the second round, but suffered four consecutive bogeys to allow Larry Boswell, of Jamestown, to pass him and win by two strokes with 71-71—142.

Boswell has now won 14 CGA championships and will be honored for his efforts over the years by being inducted into the Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame Aug. 14 in ceremonies at the Carolina Hotel in Pinehurst, along with PGA professional Scott Hoch and this writer.

The opening-round 66 was the first time that Strickfaden has shot his age.

Boswell was gracious in victory, saying, “It would have meant as much to me if Gary had won. We’re great friends and I enjoy competing against him.”

Deane Hundley, of Southern Pines, shot 156 and tied for 27th; Hal Dugenske, of Whispering Pines, was at 158, and Herb Conway, of Whispering Pines, at 159.

Terry Collins, of Pinehurst, shot 160, Steve Smith, of Pinehurst, 161, and Chuck Daley, of Whispering Pines, 165.

Carolinas Am: Scott Harvey, the 33-year-old son of former Carolinas Golf Association superstar and Carolinas Hall of Famer Bill Harvey, is having the summer of his golf life.

Harvey, of Greensboro, fulfilled a lifelong dream with a win in the Carolinas Amateur, the second title he’s won this year that was also won by his illustrious father.

Harvey shot a 7-under-par 281 at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach to edge Brock Elder, of Randleman, Trevor Cone, of Concord, and Grant Houser, of Holly Springs, by two strokes.

“This is the one that I wanted more than any of them,” Harvey said. “This is the premiere amateur event in the southeast with a great list of champions, including my dad. Knowing my dad won this as well is just incredible.”

Harvey finished second in this event a year ago and had for the most part of his career been relegated to runner-up status in CGA events prior to this season.

“I’ve been getting better each year and I wanted to come out and make a statement in this final round,” Harvey said after his closing 71. “I knocked my approach to within four inches on the first hole and that got me going.”

In the past four months, Harvey has won the Carolinas Four-Ball with partner Patrick Brady, the North Carolina Open and the Carolinas Amateur. Bill Harvey also won all those events.

Elder held the lead entering the final round but shot 74. Houser put himself in contention with a 67 and Cone shot 68 in the final round despite a double bogey on the 18th hole.

Former champion Jack Fields, of Southern Pines, was never able to get his game on track, shooting 74-73-73-73—293. Patrick Barrett, of Pinehurst, shot 296.

Pro-Official: Karl Thurber and Scott King, of Lakewood Country Club, teamed for 8-under-par 64 to win the Club Car Carolinas PGA Pro-Official championship held on the Country Club of North Carolina’s Dogwood Course.

Steve Behr and David Ellis, of Florence Country Club, also shot 64 but lost in a playoff.

Michael Krick and Dick Brown, of Carolina Trace in Sanford, tied for ninth with 67; Jeff Dotson and Bill Clement, of CCNC, tied for 18th with 69, along with Dave Hall and Steve Dougherty, of National Golf Club; and Jon Hockaday and Joe Boyd, of Anderson Creek, were at 140.

Contact Howard Ward at howardward@att.net.