As Seen in the Myrtle Beach Herald...

The Coastal Carolina Fencing Association hosted the first ever fencing tournament in Myrtle Beach last weekend, providing locals and visitors a close up look at this ancient sport. CCFA is an independent private club, not associated with Coastal Carolina University.The club hosted its first tournament in the local area for men and women, ranging in ages from 9 to 60, in the Blades at the Beach tournament held at Myrtle Beach High School last weekend. The competition included individual matches in men’s and women’s divisions of fencing’s three disciplines, the foil, epee, and saber. Competitors from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia took part.

Peter Zay (left) and Mark Scott (right) compete in the Men's Open Foil competition. Zay went on to win the Men's Foil event. Scott is director of the Coastal Carolina Fencing Association, which is the local club that hosted the event.

A team competition, the Carolinas Challenge, between teams from North and South Carolina, was also included.

“We were very happy with the turnout for the tournament,” said CCFA founder and head coach Mark Scott. “The opportunity to compete in a tournament, as well as enjoy a weekend at the beach and the many other attractions in the area, was especially inviting to the competitors.”

Peter Zay of the Touche club in Charlotte, NC won the men’s foil while Nora Reber of the Cape Fear in Wilmington, NC won the women’s foil. Eddie Garcia of CFA Charlotte won the men’s epee with Cameron Paschall of DFC Greensboro claiming the women’s title. The men’s saber title went to Michael O’Cannon of KOS Charlotte with Karen Blakeborough, no club affiliation, winning the women’s division.

The team competition saw Team North Carolina claim the team foil event with Charlotte Fencing Academy winning the team epee and team saber events.

Local competitors included Rod Brown, Mark Scott, Patrick Taurman, Albert Lucas, Bill Woodward, Aaron Gruber, and Cory Hudgins in the men’s foil, Christina Scott in the women’s foil and Patrick Taurman in the men’s epee.

The CCFA foil team in the NC/SC Challenge was composed of Brown, Woodward, Taurman, and Gruber.

“We appreciate the many local businesses and individuals who helped sponsor the event and Myrtle Beach High School staff members Hugh Wallace, Marc Duggins, and Buddy Rogers who helped with the facilities,” said Scott. “We intend to make this the first of, hopefully, many fencing tournaments in the area.”

The Coastal Carolina Fencing Association is dedicated to helping fencers attain their goals, whether they be physical fitness, friendly matches against other club members, or training for regional and national tournaments. Fencing lessons are available and new members are welcomed at any time. Anyone interested in observing a class or for more information can call (843) 997-0573.