( atc )
Opening Drive
Why Your
Handicap Matters
by CHRIS LANG
I HAVE LITTLE SHAME IN SHARING HOW ROUGH MY GOLF GAME IS—
though after a few lessons, it’s steadily getting better. My handicap somewhere north
of 25, somewhere south of the 54 allowed by the new World Handicap System. But
because I have that number, I’m able to compete in the VSGA Staff Championship.
Each fall, we hold a net stableford competition, and without a handicap index, the
event would be no fun for a player like myself. As it was last fall, I scraped together a
few net birdies and net pars and found a way to finish in the middle of the pack. And
I enjoyed myself, knowing my limitations
and that my ability dictates what my score
should be on a given hole.
“I’ve come to find
Why bring this up? Because before I
there’s plenty of value
joined the VSGA staff, I was one of those
in joining a handicap
occasional summer duffers who never
even thought of getting a handicap index.
roster even if you’re
Why would I need one? I wasn’t planning
someone who regularly
on playing in any competitions. I just
struggles to break 100.”
hacked my way around a few central Vir-
ginia courses and got excited if I finished
somewhere near 100.
But I’ve come to find there’s plenty of
value in joining a handicap roster even if you’re someone who regularly struggles to
break 100. Playing a match against a few of your friends at your home club? Well, if
one of you averages 75 and the other averages 102, handicaps will level the playing
field. Looking to play against golfers of similar skill in a VSGA One-Day Event? Your
handicap will help you do that.
It’s also easier than ever to track your game and your progress through the
MyVSGA app and the World Handicap System. Whereas before you were only able
to post full scores to your handicap, you can now post hole-by-hole scores that
automatically adjust to your course handicap. In addition, you can keep track of
things like putts, greens hit in regulation and fairways hit.
In short, you get a more accurate picture of where your game stands, and where
it has improved over time.
Obtaining a handicap index is easy. If you’re a member of a club, make sure you’re
on that club’s handicap roster. Looking to join a club? Through the VSGA’s online
join-renew program at VSGA.org, you can add yourself to a roster at any number
of clubs for as little as $3 a month. And you don’t have to play golf at that club to
be on its roster. Joining a VSGA eClub ($99 annually) will get you both a handicap
index and a supporter level VIP Golf Card.
Join a roster today and start getting the most out of your game!
Chris Lang, Editor
Contact me: [email protected]
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V I R G I N I A G O L F E R | M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 2 0
News & Notes
Compiled by CHRIS LANG
COMPETITIONS CHANGES
ABOUND IN 2020
Whether you’re a championship-caliber
competitor or a high-handicap player look-
ing for friendly competition among peers,
the Virginia State Golf Association has an
event for you.
The 2020 competition season begins in
March with several One-Day Events and
Junior Golf Circuit events. The champion-
ship season begins in April and runs through
October. The VSGA’s competitions com-
mittee met in late 2019 and approved sev-
eral changes for the 2020 season, which are
detailed below.
For more information and up-to-date
schedules, visit VSGA.org.
SPENCER-WILKINSON BENEFIT:
For the first time in 2020, men will be
eligible to play in the Spencer-Wilkin-
son Benefit Tournament. Though each
four-person team in the event must have
at least one female representative, men
who are interested in playing in the event
will now be able to do so. Spencer-Wilkin-
son Awards benefit promising young
women from Virginia with an interest
in golf with post-high school education
opportunities. To date, 52 young women
have received awards totaling more than
$150,000. All proceeds from the event go
to the Spencer-Wilkinson Foundation.
Wintergreen Resort’s Devils Knob
curse will host the VSGA Spencer-Wilkin-
son Benefit—which is a four-person cap-
tain’s choice event—on June 1.
WOMEN’S AMATEUR:
The 95th VSGA Women’s Amateur Cham-
pionship, which will be held July 14-16 at
Roanoke Country Club, will undergo two
significant changes. First, the stroke-play
qualifying portion of the championship
has been shortened from two days (36
holes) to one 18-hole round. The low 16
players from that round will advance
to the championship flight. The second
change: The remaining players will be
flighted and seeded by scores into conso-
lation flights of eight players. The change
will allow everyone who enters the com-
petition to experience match play.
vsga.org