PHOTO CREDIT HERE
O
ne round, in 2005 at the opening of the Greg
Norman course at Lansdowne Resort, crystallized for me the beauty offered by VSGA’s
One-Day events. I was paired with a retired
FBI agent who couriered money for the Federal Reserve. His travels provided ample chances
for play, but his gripes this day were reserved
for his home track, played 24 hours earlier for the 42nd time in 90
days. On the sixth hole he had placed his tee shot three inches from
his landing spot on the previous day.
“After my round I resigned from the club,” he told me. “I need
to be playing different courses.” And therein lies the value of the
VSGA One-Day program, casual outings that provide opportunities
for competition and camaraderie on premier courses not always
accessible to the general public. Even better, One-Day events are
open to men and women of all ages and abilities.
All VSGA One-Days include gross and net competition in each
flight. Entry fees for VSGA members are either $48 or $58, ($68 or
$78 for non-VSGA members) and include all administration, green
fees, cart fees and the chance to compete for prizes. The VSGA prefers that participants have a current VSGA/USGA Handicap Index.
This year’s play stretches from March through November, spans
the Commonwealth and occurs on various days throughout the
week. Below we highlight six stops with encouraging words from
course personnel regarding the benefits of play—to them and you—
and the challenges found therein.
MONDAY, APRIL 25
CHANTILLY NATIONAL GOLF & CC
“We have had a long relationship with the VSGA, hosting many
events here, including a Mid-Am and the 2015 VSGA Junior championship, and want to continue that relationship,” says Robert Reed,
PGA, head golf professional. That said Chantilly National is a quintessential example of a course made accessible by a One-Day event.
Over the last two years owner ClubCorp has poured more than
$5 million into the 400-plus member, 214-acre private facility.
“It’s a great walking course (unimpeded by real estate) that you
cannot normally play,” says Reed who touts layout conditions,
fairness for all handicap levels and a resurgence of wildlife as
other reasons to visit. The return of eagles, osprey, hawks, fox
and obligatory deer have prompted Chantilly to pursue Audubon
Sanctuary recertification.
M A R C H /A P R I L 2 0 16 | V I R G I N I A G O L F E R
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