Around The Commonwealth
Industry leaders at the Mid-Atlantic Golf Conference.
CHRIS LANG
News & Notes
Compiled by CHRIS LANG
MID-ATLANTIC GOLF CONFERENCE Industry leaders gathered in March at Hermitage Country Club for the Mid-Atlantic Golf Conference, a meeting that included key members of five national golf organizations, designed to explore the evolving landscape of golf and discuss innovative strategies to propel the golf industry forward. The event included:
• Mike Whan, CEO, USGA
• Jay Karen, CEO, National Golf Course Owners Association
• Rhett Evans, CEO, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
• Don Rea, Jr., President, PGA of America
• Bill Shonk, Director, Club Management Association of America More than 170 golf leaders from the
Mid-Atlantic region attended the event, and each speaker shared insights and strategies while discussing the current state of golf.
It was educational for me to sit and listen to the other panelists. It’ s easy to get lost in your own world.”
All speakers agreed that the continued collaboration between allied organizations is critical to moving golf forward.
“ It was educational for me to sit and listen to the other panelists,” Whan says.“ It’ s easy to get lost in your own world.”
The event marked the first such gathering of leaders in Virginia since 2018, when Belle Haven Country Club hosted the MAGC.
— Mike Whan, CEO, USGA
VSGA-VT STEM PARTNERSHIP The 2024-25 session of the Virginia Tech School of Turfgrass Ecology and Management( VT-STEM)— a 13-week training course in the principles of turfgrass ecology and management through both synchronous and asynchronous learning— was recently completed. The Virginia State Golf Association provided grants to over 30 students, each of whom were employees at VSGA member clubs, allowing for those interested in breaking into or advancing in the turfgrass industry to take the class free of charge.
VT-STEM is a comprehensive introductory turfgrass training program that works around busy work and family schedules. The program, held entirely online, is intended to primarily serve the edu-
vsga. org M AY / J UNE 2025 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 7