JULY | AUGUST 2023 $ 2.95 vsga . org
Official publication of the Virginia State Golf Association as a service to its more than 72,000 members .
KEEPING PACE : VIRGINIA CLUBS TACKLE PACE OF PLAY PROBLEMS
LEAVING A LEGACY : BRUCE BENNING ’ S
LASTING IMPACT ON VIRGINIA GOLF
AMAZING ALBERTA : EXPLORE CANADA ’ S
TOP COURSES
FEATURES
18
Pick Up The Pace
Club officials , superintendents , and others weigh in on best practices for improving pace of play on the golf course .
Contents
JULY / AUGUST 2023
22
Off-Course Advocacy
Virginia Beach professional Glen Pierce has become an outspoken advocate and fundraiser for multiple sclerosis research .
26
Bruce Talks Golf
VSGA member and Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Smith , the NFL ’ s all-time sack king , shares his journey into golf .
AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH
NEWS AND NOTES
5 In Memoriam : Matt Chandler
Remembering Matt Chandler , a seven-time VSGA champion who died unexpectedly in June .
FOUR-BALL FRENZY
8 Partners and Champions
A look back at the VSGA ’ s Four-Ball season , which concluded in May .
MEMBER CLUB
10 A Lifetime of Lessons
Bob Benning , whose name adorns the golf school at Stoneleigh Golf & Country Club , reflects on a long teaching career .
VSGA SCHOLARSHIP DAY
12 Honoring Academic Excellence
The VSGA VIP-Scholarship Foundation allocates awards to 33 high-school seniors and four Virginia Tech turfgrass students in 2023 .
Virginia Golfer
Heavy Hitter
Pro Football Hall of Famer and VSGA member Bruce Smith shares his journey from the gridiron to golf
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POWER UP : inside
ON THE COVER : Bruce Smith tees it up at Elizabeth Manor G & CC .
( Photo by Chris Lang )
DEPARTMENTS
THE RULES
14 Stuck in the Turf Viktor Hovland and Corey Conners each dealt with a strange situation at the PGA Championship — an embedded ball in the lip above a bunker .
GREAT HOLES
16 No . 7 at Belmont Golf Course A well guarded par-3 on a classic Tillinghast designed hole awaits visitors to the Richmond venue .
INSTRUCTION
34 College Primer Marymount University coach Daniel Nebens helps juniors navigate the confusing world of finding a place to play college golf .
FIT FOR PLAY
36 Going the Distance Drills to help you get the most out of your tee shot .
EQUIPMENT
38 Summer Refresh Six items to spruce up your bag in the heart of summer .
MY TURN
40 This STAG Party Gives Back A traveling men ’ s group donates to worthy causes , including Youth on Course in Virginia .
TIPS FOR BOOSTING YOUR DRIVE DISTANCE
vsga . org J ULY / A UGUST 2023 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 3