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2020 GOLFERS
OF THE YEAR
IN APRIL , AS THE COUNTRY WAS GRIPPED IN THE EARLY WAVE OF THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC , it was easy
to wonder if there would even be a Golfers of the Year section in the year-end issue of Virginia Golfer . But thanks to the tireless work of competitions staff , volunteers , club professionals and club superintendents , a truncated and condensed VSGA championship schedule produced a wealth of worthy champions in 2020 . In the coming pages , we honor the best of the best in 2020 , the VSGA Golfers of the Year .
VSGA GOLFER OF THE YEAR Mark Lawrence Jr .
HOME CLUB : Independence Golf Club
PERSONAL HIGHLIGHT : My personal highlight would have been how I played the second and third rounds of the State Open . Being able to grow my lead and still shoot good scores is something I was really proud of myself for .
BEST CLUB IN YOUR BAG : I ’ d say it ’ s a toss up between my driver and my 60-degree wedge . I use them both a lot and I probably have more of an advantage with my driver than anything , but I feel like I can do anything with my 60 degree and it ’ s my favorite club .
BEST COURSES YOU ’ VE PLAYED : It would be a tie between Bel-Air Country Club and Wannamoisett Country Club .
BIGGEST GOAL FOR 2021 : My goal for the next year is to build off of my success this last year and try to earn status and compete on the professional level .
2020 HIGHLIGHTS
• Became the first player since Tom McKnight in 1985 to win both the VSGA Amateur and the State Open of Virginia in the same year
• Became just the third player ever to earn titles in the Amateur , State Open and Junior Stroke Play championships , joining Lanny Wadkins and Stephen Smith
• His three-day 200 at Ballyhack was the lowest 54-hole score in the seven years the State Open was held there
• Finished No . 1 in VSGA Men ’ s Players Rankings
• Stroke-play co-medalist at VSGA Amateur
• Won Valentine Invitational at Hermitage Country Club
CHRIS LANG
20 V IRGINIA G OLFER | N OVEMBER / D ECEMBER 2020
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