President Donald Trump held a rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on Thursday, his second visit in two weeks to a state where opinion polls show an unexpectedly close race between Republican Senator Darline Graham and Democrat Annie Andrews.
While a few protesters were escorted out as Trump spoke, the president also welcomed the Winthrop University men's golf team to the stage in a surprise move.
Trump even joked with the crowd that he should give the team a match.
“The team is doing good, huh?" Trump asked. "Well, I watched them, and they were interviewed. I said, ‘These guys, look at them, the future of America. Handsome, beautiful guys.’ They were so into whatever President Trump wants. He’s got America. He loves his country. I said, ‘Isn’t
it nice? Really, isn’t it nice, as opposed to all the negative stuff you hear?’
“This is the future. So go out and win the national championship. Fellas, go out. We expect them now to win the national championship, right?”
📸 Winthrop University Golf Team on stage with President Trump in Rock Hill, South Carolina pic.twitter.com/19qpJblOHM
— Republicans (@Republicans) October 29, 2026
Winthrop is done with its fall schedule after playing in the recent Furman Intercollegiate in nearby Greenville, South Carolina. The team tied for 8th place in a 15-team field at Furman University Golf Course, with Mason Kucia and Andrew Gregory leading the way.
Tim Schmitt is the managing editor of Golfweek and the golf coordinator of the USA Today Network. Reuters contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Donald Trump surprises college golf team, brings them on stage at South Carolina rally
