MARCH | APRIL 2026
Official publication of the Virginia State Golf Association as a service to its more than 80,000 members.
THE PINEHURST PLAYBOOK: YOUR GUIDE TO NORTH CAROLINA’ S
GOLF WONDERLAND
TROPHY TALK: THE STORIES BEHIND THE
VSGA’ S PERPETUAL TROPHIES
CENTER YOUR GAME: SURPRISING WAYS PILATES CAN
STRENGTHEN YOUR SWING
Contents
MAR / APR 2026
FEATURES
18
Expanding Opportunities
Exploring the VSGA’ s efforts in adaptive golf.
26
Trophy Talk
The stories behind the names on the VSGA’ s perpetual trophies.
30
The Pinehurst Playbook
Making a trip to Pinehurst can be overwhelming. Virginia Explorer is here to help.
AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH
NEWS AND NOTES
5 The Eastern End
The venerable Eastern Amateur is canceled for 2026, and likely beyond.
10 The New President
Catching up with new VSGA president Craig Groenendaal as he begins his two-year term.
11 The Masters
Past VSGA Amateur champion Michael Brennan is among the debutants at Augusta. What can he expect in his first trip?
DEPARTMENTS
THE RULES
15 Between a Rock and a
Hard Place What to do when a penalty-area obstruction interferes.
GREAT HOLES
16 No. 7 at Cedar Point A risk-reward dogleg left par-4 provides a challenge at the Suffolk club.
INSTRUCTION
34 Launch Monitor Data for Dummies Learn how to use the numbers to improve accuracy and distance.
FIT FOR PLAY
36 Center Your Game Pilates is a strong addition to every golfer’ s season prep and in-season routine.
EQUIPMENT
38 Spring Cleaning Refresh your tools to help make your upcoming season sparkle.
MY TURN
40 More Than Musings Kelly Elbin’ s podcast gets to the heart of golf. inside
Virginia Golfer
EX PANDING
OPPORTUNITY
How the VSGA is helping set adaptive golfers up for success
ON THE COVER: The VSGA’ s adaptive clinic at Independence last fall.
( VSGA)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
2 V IRGINIA G OLFER | M ARCH / A PRIL 2026 vsga. org