Contents
MAY/JUNE 2015
FEATURES
24
Innovation, Imagination
Drive Designer George’s Style
DEPARTMENTS
2
Richmond-based golf course architect
Lester George incorporates originality
into the layouts he sculpts.
ON THE COVER: PHOTOGRAPH BY SCOTT K. BROWN
26
The Face of Courage
Despite two heart transplants,
PGA Tour player Erik Compton has
endured even while dealing with
health issues and adversity.
ARTICLES
Industry Leader Relies on
Consistent Approach Amid
Changing Landscape
8
4
Mondy Ready to Finish
Memorable Journey With a
Victory at the VSGA Amateur
VSGA MEMBER CLUBS
16
Sand Solutions
The Rules of Golf provide
direction when a ball settles
in a bunker or a sandy spot
through the green.
The much-anticipated
opening of the final nine
holes at Magnolia Green Golf
Club is slated for late spring.
Golf Gets Smart
About Water
Superintendents are
increasingly taking steps to
be responsible stewards of
the environment.
No. 11 at Princess
Anne Country Club
The par-3 hole on the
second nine at the Virginia
Beach-based club is scenic
and requires a smart mindset
to score well.
Green’s Day
GOLF AND THE ENVIRONMENT
18
GREAT HOLES
6
Building a
Better Motion
PGA Tour player Billy Hurley
relies on rhythm and timing
to generate power.
THE RULES
A smart approach by businessman
David Richey has helped a golf course
management company flourish.
22
The Takeaway
Virginia-based juniors
excelled on the national
stage at the Drive, Chip &
Putt Championship at
Augusta National Golf Club.
YOUR GAME
Blacksburg resident Jake Mondy
will be aiming for a repeat triumph at
one of the most prestigious amateur
championships in Virginia.
DIVERSIONS
38 General Admission
Travelgoers can relax in the
shadow of history at
the Robert E. Lee Hotel.
VIRGINIA GOLFER VOICES
39 Spieth
Well-Suited
for Spotlight
Youths who take part in
a variety of sports tend to
get the most out of their
experience.
THE VIRGINIA EXPLORER
Masters winner Jordan
Spieth continues to shine on
the golf stage.
Learn to position the ball
correctly in your stance.
Variety Hour
28
Female-Friendly
Getaways
Resorts and destinations
throughout the U.S. have a
flair that caters to women.
VSGA-VIP
SCHOLARSHIP
FOUNDATION
Virginia Golfer is the official publication of the Virginia State Golf Association, a non-profit organization serving all golfers in Virginia.
VSGA Officers
PRESIDENT: Gib Palmer, Midlothian
VICE PRESIDENT: Bruce H. Matson, Richmond
SECRETARY: Michael Millen, Charlottesville
TREASURER: Gary Beck, Virginia Beach
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: E. Lee Coble, Richmond
TOURNAMENT CHAIRMAN: Tim Rash, Midlothian
BOARD MEMBERS: Michael W. Ancel, Newport News;
Linda DiVall, Alexandria; Dr. Erik Ervin, Radford; Anne Gordon
Greever, Richmond; Craig Groenendaal, Centreville; Wayne Harris,
Lynchburg; Linda Lumsden, South Boston; Brian Maloney, Reston;
Boodie McGurn, Richmond; William H. Millsaps Jr., Richmond;
Ray Montgomery, Clifton; Karl Quinn, Chesapeake; Terry Towler,
Dillwyn; John Vogel, Richmond; Grover Walker, Great Falls;
Richard Wight, Virginia Beach; Michael Wise, Roanoke
GENERAL COUNSEL: Vernon E. Inge Jr. (LeClairRyan)
VSGA Staff | Jamie Conkling, executive director; Andrew
Blair, director of communications; Josh Coates, assistant director
of rules and competitions; Sarah Fletcher, VSGA membership/
VIP Card Program administrative assistant; Courtney Jones, OneDay manager; Kent Holubar, junior golf manager; Tripp Sheppard,
director, VSGA membership/VIP Card Program; Matt Smiley,
director of rules and competitions; Kirsten Roberts, front desk
receptionist; Natasha Triplett, director of finance and administration;
Michael Walder, director of handicapping; Maggie Watts, tournament
manager; Karen Enders, accounts payable/receivables assistant;
Abby Daniels, P.J. Boatwright intern; Gavin Parker, P.J. Boatwright
intern; Tom Booker, One-Day events coordinator; Tony Caggiano,
course rating coordinator; Michelle Holmes,
VSGA Junior Golf Club regional coordinator;
Cabell Moore, VSGA Junior Golf Club regional
coordinator; Richard Smith, VSGA Junior Golf
Club regional coordinator; Tommy Smith, VSGA
Junior Golf Club regional coordinator
VSGA Web Marketing and
New Media | Kenmont Design Group
Editorial Staff |
EDITOR: Andrew Blair
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE: Bill Millsaps,
(chairman), Jim Ducibella, Tim Finnegan, James
McEwen, Michael J. Stott, Bill Tolbert, Arthur Utley,
Andrew Blair, Jamie Conkling, Tripp Sheppard
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Allen Allnoch,
Joe Avento, Aimee Lee Ball, Robert Carey,
Jonathan Cummings, Tom Cunneff, Vic Dorr Jr.,
Jim Ducibella, Thomas Dunne, Steve Eubanks,
James A. Frank, Stephen G