Five For The Fifth
THE FIFTH VIRGINIA GOLF HALL OF FAME CLASS FEATURES FIVE NEW MEMBERS
by ARTHUR UTLEY
The Virginia Golf Hall of Fame will induct its fifth class in 2020, and for the second straight year, the ranks will
swell by five members. The induction ceremony, which will be held on May 5 at Hermitage Country Club in
Manakin-Sabot, features a cross-section of important Virginia golf figures. CBS Sports’ Dottie
Pepper, a 17-time winner on the LPGA Tour, will emcee the ceremony. For information on purchasing
tickets to the 2020 induction ceremony, visit virginiagolfhalloffame.com. A closer look at the Class of 2020:
Kandi Kessler
Comer
S
uccess as a golfer doesn’t always trans-
late into success as a teacher of the game,
but Kandi Kessler Comer is the perfect
example of someone who made it happen.
Kessler Comer won five VSGA tourna-
ments, including two Women’s Amateurs.
In 1980-81, as a teenager, she possessed all
three state championship trophies (Wom-
en’s Amateur, Junior Girls and Stroke
Play) at the same time.
Kessler Comer is one of only two junior
girls to win the Women’s Amateur and
16
AN EYE OPENING EXPERIENCE
The year Kessler Comer finished 14th in
the U.S. Open she was paired with eventu-
al champion Laura Davies in the Saturday
round. It was the first time the two had
been paired.
“She comes up to the first tee and takes
her heel and digs into the tee box and puts
her ball on top of the grass. You know, she
never used a tee,” Kessler Comer said. “As a
young player … I’m thinking she isn’t using
a tee and she’s using like a 5-wood. I was
known as a long hitter. I’d won the NCAA
long drive contest a couple of times. She
stands up there with a 5-wood off the deck
and just bombs it. And I’m thinking, ‘What
have I gotten myself into.’ She was kind of
an intimidating person in general.
“The day went great though. She played
well and went on to win the tournament.
V I R G I N I A G O L F E R | J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y 2 0 2 0
I played well for my best finish in an
Open, but she bombed it past me all day.
I wasn’t used to being outdriven very
often. Bob Rotella caddied for me in all
five of my U.S. Opens, we were good family
friends. He just kept reminding me, ‘Don’t
try to keep up with her, don’t try to keep
up with her, play your game.”
The 1986 U.S. Curtis Cup team, of which Kandi
Kessler Comer was a member.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Member of 1986 U.S. Curtis Cup team;
finished 14th in 1987 U.S. Open.
Listed as one of the top 10 amateurs in the
country by Golf Digest in 1985.
VSGA Grow the Game Award (2018).
Earned distinction as a top teacher by Golf
Digest, Golf for Women, U.S. Kids Golf and
the PGA of America.
Joined Golf Channel Academy as a lead
instructor in 2016.
vsga.org
Junior Girls in the same year. She was the
only one for 30 years.
She played college golf at the Universi-
ty of North Carolina and was named one
of the top 50 female players in ACC histo-
ry. She played in five U.S. Women’s Opens.
Then she turned to teaching and now
operates Kandi Comer Golf at Old Trail
Golf Course in Crozet where she teaches
players of all ages and skill levels. She has
been recognized nationally by several pub-
lications and organizations as a top teach-
er. Her lesson schedule stays filled up.