MAY | JUNE 2026
Official publication of the Virginia State Golf Association as a service to its more than 80,000 members.
THE CADDIE CONNECTION: VETERAN LOOPERS SPILL THEIR SECRETS
MISSING YOUR PUTTS? WHAT ' S ACTUALLY COSTING YOU THE ROUND
STUNNING SAN DIEGO: GREAT GOLF IN AMERICA ' S FINEST CITY
Contents
MAY / JUNE 2026
FEATURES
16
Partners In Crime
Veteran caddies William Lanier & Mark Urbanek reflect on how the role has evolved over time— and where it’ s headed.
20
Mom Knows Best
Alexandria’ s Emily Brant Sprague launches a golf apparel brand designed for young golfers.
24
Homegrown Golf
The Singleton family built Hat Creek Golf Course from scratch more than 50 years ago. Today, the family business continues to thrive.
AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH
NEWS AND NOTES
5 Bayville Bound
Defending champion Liam Maclauchlan headlines the field at the 113th VSGA Amateur, set for late June at Bayville Golf Club.
7 In Memoriam
Celebrating the lives of several key VSGA figures who recently passed.
10 Back on Top
After a winless 2025, Virginia’ s Lauren Coughlin gets back in the winner’ s circle at Shadow Creek.
DEPARTMENTS
THE RULES
13 Embedded Ball Exploring the nuances of the embedded ball rule.
GREAT HOLES
14 No. 9 at The Federal Club A risk-reward par-5 that is expected to play as a long par-4 for the Korn Ferry Tour Championship in October.
INSTRUCTION
34 Why Your Putts Really Miss And why most golfers fix the wrong thing.
FIT FOR PLAY
36 The Big Short Your short game matters more than you think.
EQUIPMENT
38 Summer Ready Shoes, bags, electronics, and more to help you get the most out of your game.
Virginia Golfer inside
gOLf
HOMEGRoWN
How the Singleton family built a course and a
[ community at Hat Creek]
ON THE COVER: Hat Creek Golf Course remains a family-run Brookneal fixture built on golf, community, and tradition.
( Chris Lang)
LOOKING BACK
40 Fred Couples The putt that sealed the Presidents Cup.
COURTESY OF MADERAS GC
2 V IRGINIA G OLFER | M AY / J UNE 2026 vsga. org