Virginia Golfer January/February 2014 | Page 19

VSGA Women’s Division Co-Golfer of the Year HOMETOWN: Chesterfield, Va. HOME CLUB: Meadowbrook Country Club, Richmond, Va. HIGH SCHOOL: Senior at Manchester High School, Midlothian, Va. LYBERTY ANDERSON 2013 ACCOMPLISHMENTS Recorded a five-stroke victory at the VSGA Virginias Women’s Stroke Play Championship for her first victory in an individual VSGA competition. Led season-ending point-earners in the VSGA Women’s Division player rankings. Won the Richmond Women’s Golf Association Amateur Championship at Meadowbrook Country Club, collecting her fourth title in the event. Shared stroke-play qualifying medalist honors at the VSGA Women’s Amateur Championship and reached the quarterfinals of the event. Individual medalist at the Virginia High School League Group 5A South division championship. Qualified for and competed in the U.S. Girls’ Junior (fourth career start in the event). mentality going into the year, especially in high school events. My mindset was, ‘Leave nothing behind and have fun.’ It felt good to get my first VSGA win, especially at (host site) Lexington (Golf and Country Club), because the course hasn’t traditionally fit my eye for some reason. When I got on the course, everything really clicked and I stepped up my game this year a little more compared to the 2012 season. I felt more confident on the greens and that allowed me to score better and I felt more comfortable on the course.” RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH PHOTO ARCHIVES In revamping her putting philosophy, Lyberty Anderson says she altered her address position and relied more on feel than mechanics. QUICK TIP: “For a long time, I tended to hunch over the putter at address, with my arms and elbows kind of crowding me— sort of Arnold Palmer style, but even more exaggerated,” Anderson says with a laugh. “This year, I stood a little taller. Golfers putt in their own unique ways, but being more upright, softening my grip and trusting my instincts allowed for better execution. I’ve found that posture is a key component in w w w. v s g a . o r g Master_VSGA_JanFeb_2014_v20.indd 17 sinking more putts. Adjusting the way I stand to start the stroke resulted in a more pendulum-like motion where my arms and the putter swung more freely, my wrists stayed quiet and I could release the toe of the putter through impact.” IN HER OWN WORDS: “Being a senior in high school, I realized 2013 was my last year of junior golf. I had a different WHAT’S NEXT: Anderson will attend the University of Virginia on a golf scholarship starting in the fall of 2014. OFF THE COURSE: Following the fall golf season, Anderson spent more than a month away from the game to recharge. Off the course, one of the activities Anderson enjoys is fishing, and she reports reeling in a huge bass out of her grandmother’s pond during a break from golf. J ANUARY/F EBRUARY 2014 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 17 1/3/14 11:40 AM