( atc )
The Future
of Golf
IT’S BEEN A FEW YEARS since the Virginia State Golf Association has conducted
a full survey of its membership. When we sent out a long email survey in late 2015,
looking to glean various bits of information that would help us understand our
membership better, one nugget stuck out.
Nearly 56 percent of the responses came from members age 50–69. Less than 2
percent came from members under the age of 30.
Golf is a game that has always skewed older. That’s no stunning revelation. But
there have never been more options for those seeking to get into the game at a
younger age. From life skills building
programs like The First Tee to compe-
tition-based programs like the VSGA’s
“Golf is a game that
Junior Golf Circuit, the PGA’s Junior
League, and the PGA/USGA sponsored
has always skewed
Drive, Chip and Putt Competition,
older. That’s no
youth around the nation enjoy a bevy
stunning revelation.
of ways to break into and form a lifelong
love for the game we all cherish.
But there have
In a new standing Virginia Golfer
never
been more
feature—Next Up—we’re reaching out
to some of our younger members to
options for those
explore their love of the game. We start
seeking to get
this issue with Richmond’s Connor
into the game at a
Johnson Jr., who became the first player
from Virginia in nearly a generation
younger age.”
to win the prestigious Scott Robert-
son Memorial Tournament. We don’t
want to limit the feature to teenagers,
though. What inspires those who played
throughout their youth to stay in the game once they leave college and start a job
and a family? We’re interested in those stories as well.
Also in this issue, you’ll find Ken Klavon’s inspiring story on the USGA’s efforts
to establish a true national championship for golfers with disabilities, proving that
the world’s governing bodies are eager to show that golf is truly a game for everyone
to enjoy.
We hope you enjoy the issue, and thanks for reading.
Chris Lang, Editor
8
V I R G I N I A G O L F E R | J U LY / A U G U ST 2 0 1 8
News & Notes
BAUCHOU LEADS OKLAHOMA STATE
TO NATIONAL TITLE
Zach Bauchou, a native of Forest who
was stroke-play qualifying medalist and
quarterfinalist at the 100th VSGA Ama-
teur Championship in 2013, led Oklahoma
State to the NCAA Division I Champion-
ship in late May.
The Cowboys used Bauchou in the
anchor match during their championship
appearance against Alabama, and though he
was the final player out, he ended up being
the first player in thanks to a record-tying
8-and-7 victory over the Crimson Tide’s
Jonathan Hardee.
Zach Bauchou led Oklahoma State to the NCAA
Division I Championship in May.
“I was the last out, but the first in, and
that was pretty cool,” Bauchou told the
Associated Press. “I got to see a couple of
the other guys finish up. I just want to give
credit to the other four guys. They played
so well all week.”
Oklahoma State’s 5-0 win was its first
since the event switched back to a match-
play format in 2009, and it was the first
shutout victory in that timespan. OSU’s
most recent title before this year came in
2006, when the event was still a stroke-
play competition.
vsga.org
Opening Drive