VSGA Championship Changes Coming In 2017
• As a result of the tremendous support from tournament sponsors , the amateur entry fee for the Delta Dental State Open of Virginia has been reduced to $ 150 ( previously $ 250 ). The qualifying fee for non-exempt players is $ 75 and successful qualifiers will pay the remaining $ 75 championship balance . All golf and lunch fees at the championship are included in the entry fee and a substantial amount in gift certificates will be distributed to amateur golfers who make the cut at the championship .
• The VSGA Four-Ball Stroke Play Championship is scheduled for May 19-20 at Willow Oaks Country Club , one week later than the traditional dates . A survey was sent out to past participants in the championship and the results were overwhelmingly in favor of this change . We plan to keep these dates moving forward .
• In efforts to make it more convenient for VSGA members to participate in events , more qualifiers for VSGA championships are scheduled for weekends . In 2017 , two VSGA Amateur Championship / Delta Dental State Open of Virginia qualifiers and two VSGA Senior Amateur Championship / Senior Open of Virginia qualifiers are scheduled on Saturdays . Please see the full VSGA Championship schedule for more details .
• The following exemptions into VSGA championships have been added :
» The winning side ( two players ) from the VSGA Four-Ball Stroke Play Championship are exempt into the same year ’ s VSGA Amateur Championship and VSGA Senior Amateur Championship , if eligible .
» The winning side ( two players ) from the VSGA Senior Four-Ball Championship are exempt into the same year ’ s VSGA Senior Amateur Championship .
» The top five finishers and ties from the past year ’ s VSGA Mid-Amateur Championship are exempt into the current year ’ s VSGA Amateur Championship .
• The VSGA Four-Ball Match Play Championship is scheduled for October 26-29 and will now include a senior division for sides made up of two players age 50 and older . Sixteen sides ( 32 players ) will comprise both the open and senior divisions . See the championship entry form for more information .
• In addition to those USGA qualifiers administered in 2016 , the VSGA will administer the following USGA qualifiers in 2017 ( see schedule at vsga . org for complete list with sites and dates ):
» U . S . Open Local
» U . S . Women ’ s Amateur Championship
» U . S . Women ’ s Mid-Amateur Championship
2016 VSGA Award Winners
BRUCE H . MATSON , President of the VSGA Board of Directors , offers his thoughts on the recipients of the VSGA ’ s three major awards . The three winners were set to be honored at the VSGA ’ s annual meeting , held Jan . 14 at Jefferson Lakeside Country Club in Richmond .
PRESIDENT ’ S AWARD — Phil Owenby , PGA
“ Even before establishing Kinloch Golf Club as among the country ’ s finest , Phil was recognized as one of the Commonwealth ’ s extraordinary professionals as well as a leader in the golf industry . Perhaps best known for establishing the gold standard for member service at clubs like Roanoke Country Club and Kinloch , Phil has made lasting contributions to golf in Virginia through his devotion to golfers , fellow professionals and the game .”
SERVICE TO GOLF AWARD — David Norman
“ Since graduating from Wake Forest , David has been singularly focused on serving the game of golf . After working with the Carolinas Golf Association and RJR Nabisco , David came to Virginia to be Executive Director of the VSGA . During his tenure , the Association saw many of its most important initiatives , such as the VIP Card and its scholarship program come to fruition . Even after almost 15 years leading the VSGA , David continues to serve golf through his roles with the Virginia Golf Course Owners Association and the Golf Course Superintendents Association .”
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD — Gib Palmer
“ For us to recognize one of our own Board members as volunteer of the year , the recipient has quite a bar to clear . While the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame was the result of the efforts of many , Gib was not only the driving force for the project , but his devotion to excellence and detail manifested itself not only in one of the finest events that our Association has hosted but in a permanent organization that will assure that we continually recognize the contributions of the greatest players and administrators in Virginia golf history .”
36 V IRGINIA G OLFER | J ANUARY / F EBRUARY 2017 vsga . org