Virginia Golfer Jul / Aug 2020 | Page 11

Around The Commonwealth LEFT: Michael Brennan's second-round 64 in 2017 created quite a buzz. RIGHT: Jack Montague and Mark Lawrence Jr. shake hands after Montague's playoff win in 2019. HOOS VS. HOKIES, PLAYOFF STYLE There have been two playoffs at Ballyhack, and Lawrence has been involved in both. In 2019, both Lawrence and Jack Montague scuffled out of the gates, with Lawrence posting a 75 and Montague a 74, leaving them well off the lead after the first day. Lawrence, the 2017 VSGA Amateur champion, responded with a second-round 63—tying the course competitive record—and a third-round 68. Montague quietly posted a pair of 66s, forcing a playoff. Montague, who plays at the University of Virginia, made a par on the playoff hole while Lawrence, who played at Virginia Tech, got in early trouble and couldn’t get up and down for a matching par, sealing Montague’s victory. Montague is the only amateur to win at Ballyhack and broke a seven-year run of wins by professionals in the event. GRIFFIN’S VICTORY Lanto Griffin is now a PGA Tour champion, having won last year’s Houston Open. He’ll play in the Masters in November. But one of the most important victories in his career came at Ballyhack in 2015, when he shot 66-68-70 to dust the field by six strokes. He’d make one more appearance at Ballyhack before earning status on the Web.com Tour and eventually the PGA Tour. BRENNAN’S BREAKTHROUGH Michael Brennan, the 2019 VSGA Amateur champion, hasn’t won this event, but as a 15-year-old in 2017, he had Ballyhack abuzz after posting a second-round 64, the course record until it was broken by both Justin Young and Lawrence. That round came on the heels of a summer that included a win in the VSGA Junior Match Play Championship and medalist honors at the VSGA Amateur. Though he shot 74 in the final round, he still tied for low amateur honors with Ji Soo Park. FAMILY BATTLE Woodson won the first State Open at Ballyhack, finishing two strokes clear of Mikey Moyers, who had recently turned professional. The two know each other well—they’re cousins. Though disappointed afterward, Moyers couldn’t begrudge his cousin’s third straight victory in the event. “No, I’m happy for him,” Moyers said. “I was hoping we’d finish 1-2, I was just hoping it might be the other way around.” More Green. Less Fee. A golfer’s dream. Unlimited play on our green and lush 6,400 yard Shenandoah Valley course nestled amid Virginia’s equally beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Package includes meals and lodging, greens fees and cart for 18 holes daily and extra round for cart fees only! For more details check out www.LurayCaverns.com or call (888) 443-6551. 3 Day / 2 Night Packages from $255 Per person, double occupancy, plus tax CHRIS LANG (2) vsga.org J ULY/A UGUST 2020 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 9