Dr. Lew Blakey was an authoritative voice on the Rules of Golf. |
won the Kenridge Invitational in 1995, and was the VSGA Senior Golfer of the Year in 1995. He was inducted into the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame in 2023.
CHIP SULLIVAN( 1964 – 2026) Chip Sullivan, a mainstay in State Opens of Virginia and a four-time winner of the Maryland Open, died on March 20 due to complications from a stroke. He was 60. A native of Louisiana, Sullivan earned his PGA membership in 1993 at Hanging Rock Golf Club in Salem. After qualifying for the PGA Tour in 1997, Sullivan played in 47 events and made 18 cuts. Upon returning
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VSGA ARCHIVES( 3) |
In Memoriam:
DR. LEW BLAKEY( 1933 – 2026) Virginia Golf Hall of Famer Dr. Lew Blakey, one of the nation’ s most authoritative voices on the Rules of Golf, died on March 18 after a brief illness. He was 92.
Blakey’ s Rules journey was sparked by a friendship with fellow Virginia Golf Hall of Famer Clyde Luther. A government engineer by trade, Blakey retired in 1989 after a decorated career that included a Senior Service Presidential award, presented by Ronald Reagan, and a Department of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Award, presented by the Secretary of Defense.
He became involved with the VSGA in 1989 and eventually worked national and international events, along with becoming one of the best Rules instructors. In addition to many VSGA championships, Blakey served as a Rules official at more than 100 national championships, including two Walker Cups, eight Masters, 19 U. S. Opens, one Open Championship, one LPGA International Crown, and one PGA Championship.
“ Lew brought an unmatched and contagious passion to his work with the USGA and the Rules of Golf,” USGA Chief Governance Officer Thomas Pagel said.“ He was an educator, a mentor, and, more importantly, a friend to so many that shared his interest in breaking down the complexity and nuances of the rules. If there was a coaching tree for rules experts, there is no doubt that Lew would be at the very top.
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His contributions— and his memory— will carry forward through all that he touched with his work.”
BOB MOYERS( 1935 – 2026) Virginia Golf Hall of Famer Bob Moyers died on April 2 at his home. He was 90. Moyers was one of the most accomplished senior golfers in VSGA history and ranks sixth all-time in VSGA wins with 13. All came in the senior ranks. He won four Senior Stroke Plays, two Super Senior Amateurs, one Super Senior Stroke Play, and was part of six winning Senior Four- Ball sides, including five straight from 1991 – 95. Moyers was a founding member of the Bridgewater College golf program,
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to Virginia in 1999, he took over the newly opened Ashley Plantation. He also worked at King Carter Golf Club and Royal New Kent Golf Club during his time in Virginia. Sullivan won the PGA National Club Professional Championship in 2007.
TIM FINNEGAN( 1934 – 2026) Tim Finnegan, a past member of the VSGA Board of Directors and a longtime contributor to the Virginia Golfer editorial committee, died peacefully on March 1. A 50-year member of Willow Oaks Country Club, Finnegan studied journalism in school and began his career in on-air sports broadcasting before becoming general sales manager for WTVR-TV in Richmond. He left the station and founded Tim Finnegan Advertising, which later became Finnegan & Agee Advertising and ultimately Arnold Finnegan Martin. Finnegan was often recognized for his leadership in both the community and the industry including being chosen as“ Man of the Year” by the Advertising Club of Richmond and inducted into the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame.
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