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Opening Drive
A Step Toward Normalcy
by CHRIS LANG
APRIL 15 IS USUALLY A DAY OF DREAD , AT LEAST FOR THOSE WITH COMPLICATED TAX RETURNS . But tax day was a special one for me this year . I received my second jab of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine that day , another step toward what might resemble a normal summer .
On March 10 , the Pure Silk Championship at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg announced there would be limited spectators in attendance on site for this year ’ s championship . It ’ s been a hot minute since Bronte Law won the Pure Silk in 2019 , so not only is it great to see one of Virginia ’ s two major professional events back on the schedule for 2021 , it ’ s also reassuring that the best women in the world will hear cheers of encouragement from the gallery . Another step toward normalcy .
To get primed for this year ’ s event , check out Lisa Mickey ’ s feature on Angela Stanford , a feisty Texan who is doing her best at age 43 to keep up with the surge of young talent on the LPGA Tour . Kingsmill has long been one of her favorite stops on Tour . Other stories of note in this issue :
Also in this issue :
• We catch up with Lanto Griffin with a Q & A focused on his charitable endeavors , including his support of Youth on Course in Virginia .
• The VSGA Amateur championships are back in their traditional spots on the schedule . For the men ’ s Amateur , there will be a full complement of 132 players on hand at Country Club of Petersburg to vie for the Schwarszchild Brothers Trophy . The women visit Evergreen Country Club in Haymarket in early July . Read more in Around the Commonwealth about the two championships .
• Belmont Golf Course — now under the thumb of The First Tee of Greater Richmond — debuts its reimagined Davis Love III layout in late May . Arthur Utley takes you inside the process of transforming an old A . W . Tillinghast gem from a traditional 18-hole layout to one featuring 12 traditional holes and a six-hole par-3 course .
• Bryan Zell , the PGA Director of Instruction at Westfields Golf Club in Clifton , shares the key to more solid shots : Controlling the low point in your swing .
Thanks for reading , and as always , story ideas are welcome and appreciated .
Chris Lang , Editor Contact me : clang @ vsga . org
It ' s also reassuring that the best women in the world will hear cheers of encouragement from the gallery . Another step toward normalcy .
News and Notes cont ' d ...
The rest of the field : Qualifiers will be held at 11 VSGA member clubs throughout June , including a last-chance qualifier for those who missed on their first attempt . As recently as 2018 , the tournament champion has emerged from the qualifying stages ( Trey Smith ). About CC of Petersburg : CCP is celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2021 , though the course looks plenty different than the original Donald Ross ninehole design that opened in 1921 . Seeking an expansion to 18 holes and facing land restrictions around the original property , the club moved a few miles south to Prince George County , where Ed Ault completed the modern course in 1969 . Lester George rebuilt the course ’ s green complexes in 1997 . Virginia Golf Hall of Famer Tom McKnight won the Amateur in 1983 , the only other time it was played at CCP . Trends and storylines : The depth of Virginia college golf — present and future — will be on display at the Amateur . Expect a new champion , as Lawrence is likely to turn professional before this event . David Stanford , last year ’ s other finalist , will enter the championship as a favorite . Others to watch include Virginia ’ s George Duangmanee , Georgia ’ s Connor Creasy , William & Mary ’ s Jimmy Taylor , and Christopher Newport ’ s Alex Price , who reached last year ’ s semifinals . … Another player expected to compete is Kelly Chinn , last year ’ s national AJGA player of the year who is focusing more on men ’ s events as he prepares for his college golf career at Duke . … In 2020 , Lawrence became just the second stroke-play medalist to win the title in the last 17 years , joining Joey Lane in 2016 . … Cedar Point Club in Suffolk will host the Amateur in 2022 .
96TH VSGA WOMEN ’ S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP Site : Evergreen Country Club , Haymarket Dates : July 5- July 7 Format : One round of stroke-play qualifying ; top 16 advance to match play ; Round of 16 and quarterfinals on Tuesday ; Semifinals and 18-hole championship match on Wednesday .
6 V IRGINIA G OLFER | M AY / J UNE 2021
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