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Opening Drive
Scratching That Competitive Itch
by CHRIS LANG
THE FIRST TIME I STEPPED INTO A TEEING AREA , I was 23 years old , armed with a swing forged by tennis and baseball . To say it wasn ’ t pretty was an understatement . When playing the 2K series golf video games , if you take a bad swing , the commentators will quip , “ looks like he was swinging a snake up there !” In describing that first tee shot at Continental Country Club in Flagstaff , Ariz ., swinging a snake would be accurate . Even playing at 7,000-plus feet of elevation , I think the ball may have carried about 15 yards in the air . Yuck .
I played that day with a friend who wouldn ’ t let me get discouraged , even though if I was
I can ’ t say I ’ ve ever been a good golfer , but that doesn ’ t matter . I ’ ve hit some good shots . I ’ ve had some good days . I ’ ve had plenty of bad . But I keep coming back because at its heart this game is beautiful , maddening , challenging , rewarding and fun . actually counting strokes , I would have finished somewhere between 130 and infinity . As that summer churned along , I played more and my confidence grew , along with my competence . I can ’ t say I ’ ve ever been a good golfer , but that doesn ’ t matter . I ’ ve hit some good shots . I ’ ve had some good days . I ’ ve had plenty of bad . But I keep coming back because at its heart this game is beautiful , maddening , challenging , rewarding and fun .
Oh , and I ’ m looking to get my handicap down to a point where I ’ ll be ready to tee it up in the VSGA Super Senior Amateur some years down the road . ( I won ’ t say how many years , though .)
I bring this story up because everyone has an entry point into golf . Some will never play in a competitive event because they don ’ t believe their game will stand up to it . In one of our main features in this issue , we talk to some VSGA members who decided later in life to make the transition from casual to competitive player . It ’ s not easy , but any goal is attainable with the proper time commitment , work ethic and attitude .
I first thought of this idea while covering the VSGA Senior Amateur last summer at Cavalier Golf & Yacht Club . Scott Bemberis was the stroke-play qualifying medalist , and in the course of our post-round conversation , he mentioned he didn ’ t regularly play competitive golf until he was in his 40s . That got me thinking about what it takes to take that next step when you didn ’ t play high-level golf in high school or college .
Hopefully you ’ ll draw a little inspiration from these stories . You don ’ t have to play in a major VSGA championship to feel those competitive juices flow . We offer One-Day Events that are as competitive as you want them to be and Net Amateur and Net Women ’ s Stroke Play championships that offer high and low handicappers alike a chance at victory . Getting into the game has never been easier , so check out VSGA . org to find a competitive opportunity that suits your game . Oh , and see you at the Super Senior Amateur in 20 ( redacted )!
Chris Lang , Editor clang @ vsga . org
VSGA Strategic Plan Cont ’ d ...
“ Our aspiration is to be the home for both the game of golf and the business of golf in Virginia .”
— ANNE GREEVER
Third , we plan to continue evolving our services to individual golfers so they remain satisfied with our member benefits , including the quality and quantity of golf events and our communications with them . We will stay abreast of what our constituent golfing groups want , and we will strive to appeal to new members . Another key part of this priority is to recruit , train and engage volunteers , without whom the VSGA could not fulfill its mission .
The fourth and fifth priority areas address ways to strengthen the VSGA itself so it is better equipped to serve . We will strive to enhance our governance , including building a pipeline of well-qualified and diverse candidates to serve on our boards and committees . On the financial and organizational front , the VSGA is already blessed with a strong financial foundation , top-flight executive leadership , and a talented staff that functions like a well-oiled machine . But we are keenly aware that there is room for improvement , especially in our use of technology to work efficiently and to communicate with the golfing community effectively , so we will be devoting substantial resources in that direction .
A summary of the Strategic Plan can be found at
VSGA . org . Each goal is backed by detailed implementation steps that will direct our work in the coming years and will guide our deployment of resources . Please let us know how we are doing .
Scan here to read the strategic plan .
6 V IRGINIA G OLFER | M ARCH / A PRIL 2023
vsga . org