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Opening Drive
A New Take On Instruction
by CHRIS LANG
YOU ’ VE READ AUTHOR JOSH APPLE ’ S INSTRUCTION ARTICLES in Virginia Golfer for the last several years . He just finished a helpful two-part series on best practice habits for highly competitive players and high handicappers alike that appeared in the previous two issues of this magazine .
As a former newspaper reporter in Northern Virginia , Apple has writing chops . But his true passion is teaching golf , so we ’ re happy to find a way to combine those two talents into a new role at Virginia Golfer : Instruction Editor .
Starting with this issue , Apple — who recently earned his PGA certification — will serve as the conduit between Virginia Golfer and Virginia ’ s MAPGA teaching professionals . The hope is to use Apple ’ s contacts within the section to bring more consistency to our instruction articles . In turn , that leads to better exposure for those instructors and their home clubs . A win-win , right ?
Apple will write some of the stories , as he has in the past . But look for a wider variety of MAPGA teaching professionals to also fill that space at the back of the magazine each issue , starting with Princess Anne director of golf instruction Davis Whitmer , who shows us how to “ glide ” and avoid the dreaded chunked chip shot .
Also in this issue :
• I had an opportunity ( along with several others ) to play Cutalong at Lake Anna last October . The course was not complete at that point , but it was far enough along for us to get an idea of how it would play . Not only that , but I played with architect Tom Clark himself as we previewed the layout . It was a very cool experience to listen to Clark describe the thought process that went into each hole . Check out Art Utley ’ s cover story on Cutalong in this issue to learn more about Virginia ’ s newest course .
• As more COVID-19 vaccines are rolled out , there ’ s at least a chance that a golf trip this spring will be feasible again . The PGA Championship makes its way back to this side of the country and will be played in May at Kiawah Island outside Charleston , making it a drivable venture for VSGA members . Check out Ian Guerin ’ s Virginia Explorer story for more insight on Kiawah and Charleston golf .
• And finally , many have picked up new hobbies during the pandemic . One VSGA member , Cal Coolidge , put his energy to writing about one of his favorite golf experiences . We highlight that story of a wide-eyed trip to St . Andrews in this issue .
Thanks for reading , and as always , my inbox is open for ideas , so feel free to reach out .
Chris Lang , Editor Contact me : clang @ vsga . org
Starting with this issue , Apple — who recently earned his PGA certification — will serve as the conduit between Virginia Golfer and Virginia ’ s MAPGA teaching professionals .
Drive , Chip & Putt National Finals cont ' d ...
RYAN HOOKER Age : 9 Club : Trump National GC , Washington D . C . Residence : Oakton How he qualified : Finished with 120 points to advance out of the Oakmont CC 7-9 boys ’ regional qualifier . Favorite course : Kiawah Island Ocean Course in South Carolina . Favorite Masters memory : Watching Tiger Woods win in 2019 —“ Greatest comeback in sports history !” Favorite male / female golfers : Rory McIlroy / Danielle Kang Dream foursome : Tiger Woods , Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka Talents / interests outside of golf : Playing soccer in the fall , baseball in the spring and basketball in the winter . Also likes skiing and watching his favorite teams , the New England Patriots and Boston Celtics . How would you describe youself ?: “ I am not as big as everyone but I don ’ t let that stop me . I ’ m nice to people and a great listener . I love math . I like watching all kinds of sports on TV and like to watch the Dude Perfect Show and their trick shots . … On weekends , I like to hang out with my little sister , golf with my dad , and I really like golf tournaments because I like to compete .”
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