Virginia Golfer May / Jun 2023 | Page 11

Around The Commonwealth
three spots . Funderburke missed qualifying by five strokes .
The separation of local and final qualifying is another attractive option for players .
“ I haven ’ t tried U . S . Am qualifying in a long time , but I would think that ’ s good for someone like myself ,” said Salem ’ s Justin Young , who has competed in several USGA championships , including this year ’ s U . S . Amateur Four-Ball with Shingler . “ If I get past the first stage , now I ’ m in an 18-hole shootout , and anything can happen in 18 holes . And I don ’ t have to walk 36 in one day , which is good .”
Similar changes will occur for three other championships : the U . S . Women ’ s Amateur , U . S . Junior Amateur and U . S . Girls ’ Junior . There will be a modest reduction in qualifying sites for the women ’ s amateur , and associations will be encouraged to conduct joint qualifiers for the boys ’ and girls ’ championships ( the VSGA already does this ). The new structure will help alleviate the pressure on AGAs to secure multiple qualifying sites .
In 2023 , VSGA member clubs will host 13 USGA championship qualifiers .
To help the VSGA Junior Girls ’ Championship achieve the needed status to gain a 2024 exemption , this year ’ s event , scheduled for early July at Orchard Creek in Waynesboro , has been expanded from 36 to 54 holes in hopes of adding WAGR points to that championship as well as increasing the championship ’ s status with the American Junior Golf Association .
“ As the number of entries and qualifying sites have continued to increase on a yearly basis , we looked at ways to evolve our structure to ensure the long-term sustainability of qualifying without excessively burdening AGAs and host clubs ,” said Brent Paladino , the USGA ’ s senior director of championship administration . “ These revisions will provide players with additional pathways to our championships through traditional qualifying , expanded exemption categories and performance in state , AGA , regional and national amateur championships .”
The USGA ' s Brent Paladino expands on the changes on the VSGA ’ s Golf in the Commonwealth podcast .
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WORLD GOLF HALL OF FAME
Celebrate golf ’ s greatest legends at the World Golf Hall of Fame . Join us and experience golf like never before as we celebrate the history of the game and the legacies of the 164 members through artifacts , personal memorabilia , photography , video and interactive exhibitions . Take aim at our Challenge Hole and play 165 courses on our simulator — all included with admission .
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vsga . org M AY / J UNE 2023 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 9