The Women ’ s Open of Virginia represents a great step forward for golf in the Commonwealth and this event is one of only a handful of state opens for women in the country . As one of the oldest state golf associations in the United States , the VSGA has a rich , storied tradition of being at the forefront of important developments within the game . It was , for example , the first golf association — even before the USGA — to conduct a Mid-Amateur Championship . The mission of the Middle Atlantic PGA is to promote growth within the game , and this combined effort with the VSGA represents a major milestone for women ’ s golf .

The Women ’ s Open of Virginia , a 54-hole stroke play championship open to all female golfers regardless of membership or residency , will be conducted June 19-21 at Independence Golf Club in Midlothian . An ardent supporter of the game and dedicated to providing opportunities

for golfers to play and compete , Independence Golf Club will now serve as the host for all three open championships in the Commonwealth : the State Open of Virginia , the Women ’ s Open of Virginia , and the Senior Open of Virginia .

Originally designed by world-renowned architect Tom Fazio ( e . g ., no living architect has more credits on Golf Digest ’ s list of America ’ s 100 Greatest Courses ) and subsequently renovated by Lester George ( who teamed with Vinny Giles to create Kinloch Golf Club ), Independence will be a superb test for the Women ’ s Open of Virginia . This outstanding course and exciting new tournament are sure to draw an outstanding field of golfers for what will become a marquee event for women ’ s golf .

The opening hole at Independence is an excellent par 4 that the women will play at about 390 yards . Turning ever so slightly left and favoring a draw so players can aim away from the water on the left , the design requires players to fit their tee shot between two strategically placed fairway bunkers . While the fairway is quite generous , hitting the short grass is vital to set up the second shot as any approach from sand or the punishing Bermuda rough is very challenging .

The green is reasonably flat ( with some subtle breaks ) and very spacious ; however ,

Blue : 425 yards

Gray : 390 yards

YARDAGES

Black : 460 yards

Green : 335 yards

Red : 325 yards

the putting surface ( Champion Ultradwarf Bermudagrass that plays firm and fast ) is quite elevated and thus it “ effectively plays much smaller .” Golfers will tend to play for the middle of the green as missing the putting surface — especially if the golfer short sides herself — leaves an especially difficult recovery . The first at Independence Golf Club is an outstanding par-4 where an opening par is always a welcome score .

A five-time VSGA Player of the Year , David Partridge was elected to the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame in 2020 . He lives in the Richmond area and works as a mortgage banker .

GIANNA GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY