VSGA Senior Golfer of the Year
HOMETOWN: Martinsville, Va.
HOME CLUB: Chatmoss Country Club,
Martinsville, Va.
down. It really makes a difference. Take an
extra second or two to put your glove on, pull
your tee and ball out of your pocket or go
through your pre-shot routine.”
Keith Decker believes is that winning is a byproduct
of taking a shot-by-shot approach during one's round.
QUICK TIP: “I’ve faced a ton of pressurepacked situations in events over the years and
my advice when playing in the clutch is to not
get ahead of yourself. Avoid thoughts about
what might happen on the next shot, the next
hole or after the round,” Decker says. “It’s an
oft-repeated philosophy, but golf is a game
of one shot at a time. Everyone has heard
it a million times and it’s true: Stay in the
moment. Thinking ahead can only—only—
lead to bad things. When faced with a shot in
the heat of the moment, slow your breathing
IN HIS OWN WORDS: “Senior golf was
a whole different world for me (the VSGA
changed the age requirement from age 55
to 50 prior to the start of the 2013 season)
and I had to get used to it. I enjoyed it. The
guys I’ve played against for years are just as
competitive now as they always have been,
even though we’re now labeled ‘seniors.’ ”
OFF THE COURSE: Decker owns his
own furniture sales business, Decker and
Associates, and is an account executive for
Samuel Lawrence Hospitality. He is the
father of four children.
KEITH
DECKER
2013
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Won both the VSGA Senior Stroke
Play Championship and the VSGA
Senior Amateur Championship.
Was the top point-earner in the
VSGA senior player rankings (ages
50 and older).
Decker’s VSGA title count of 21
includes a victory at the Senior Amateur,
Senior Open of Virginia and the Senior
Stroke Play, as well as collecting multiple
triumphs at the VSGA Mid-Amateur
(seven wins), the VSGA Four-Ball
(six wins), the State Open of Virginia
(three wins) and the VSGA Amateur
Championship (two wins).
DECKER: MARTINSVILLE BULLETIN; SAVAGE: MICHAEL K. BOHN; KO: JOHN MUMMERT/USGA PHOTO ARCHIVES
VSGA Women’s Division Senior Golfer of the Year
SHELLEY
SAVAGE
2013
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Took home senior women’s golfer
of the year accolades for a third
consecutive year.
Posted a repeat victory at the
VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur
Championship and claimed her third
title overall in the event.
Won the VSGA Mixed Four-Ball
Championship (with Peter Jacobi of
Arlington) and placed second at the
VSGA Senior Women’s Stroke Play
Championship.
QUICK T %@胊q