Member Stories
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“ I always considered the VSGA a service organization ,” Booker says . “ I tried to do things the way people wanted them to be . The reason we have such a good program is the support of the clubs . I really worked on my relationships with the pro staff .”
He also instinctively and aggressively sought new avenues of business . He enlarged private club participation , initiated back-to-back overnight opportunities that allowed VSGA members to access more exclusive clubs and at the same time pad
host pro shop coffers . In some cases visitors liked chosen layouts so much they returned and became members .
“ The program was clearly a membership and service tool ,” he says .
Hands on ? You bet . In many ways he was a one-man operation , organizing onsite and doing everything from setting up shop to occasionally setting tees . A 9-to-10 handicapper himself , Booker understood what his competitors wanted .
“ I tried to make the experience as enjoyable as possible . I did it for the pure fun of it . I knew a good number would not be playing in the Virginia Open or even in their own club ’ s year-ending championships , so in many cases the oneday outings were the only competitive matches they played all year .”
Two years removed from his position as One-Day coordinator , Booker remains a legend . The oft-heard refrain at events “ where ’ s Booker ?” is a testament to the sheer love and devotion he gave to his appointed task . Booker went out of his way to befriend and know the competitors .
“ I really enjoyed the people . I memorized their names and really got to know the players .”
That familiarity led to legendary and wellreceived ribbing of virtually every player .
“ He had something to say about everybody ,” says Marshall Cole who has consistently played 15-20 events a year . “ He
I tried to make the experience as enjoyable as possible . I did it for the pure fun of it . I knew a good number would not be playing in the Virginia Open or even in their own club ’ s year-ending championships , so in many cases the one-day outings were the only competitive matches they played all year .”
knows everybody in golf in Virginia . It ’ s just not the same without Tom there .”
Gone but not forgotten , players still ask about the man two years removed from his last event . At 81 , Booker still lives in Highland Springs where he spent spring of 2021 mending a fractured hip and getting acquainted with a walker and new defibrillator . But it is hard to keep a good man down . In addition to his work with Yamaha , he still organizes weekly golf outings for his friends . Of course , he can still recall with remarkable clarity details about nearly all of his regular One-Day Warriors .
The admiration of the players also extends to the VSGA staff . Josh Coates , director of championships and golf operations , met Booker as an intern and eventually oversaw the One-Day program .
“ Tom has been an integral part of the One-Day Event program and remains so even though he has retired ,” says Coates . “ A lot of the growth in the program can be attributed to the relationships he formed with participants as well as our host
clubs as he had a very unique way of forming friendships .
“ Oddly , people would go out of their way to be around him only to have him playfully make fun of them and engage in banter that was seemingly never ending . If he wasn ’ t giving you a hard time , that meant he didn ’ t like you , so it was a rite of passage for those that know him .” His legacy among the participants , VSGA staff , board and volunteers will be long lasting . We cannot thank him enough for all he has done for us both on a professional and a personal level .”
“ His camaraderie with his One-Day Warriors was unmatched ,” says Courtney Hamlett , manager of championships and events . “ If anyone else on staff showed up to administer a One-Day Event , the first question always asked was ‘ Where ’ s Booker ? I brought him a cigar !’ His passion for golf and making it a great experience for all was what kept players coming back . VSGA ’ s One-Day program would not be what it is today without Tom Booker .”
vsga . org N OVEMBER / D ECEMBER 2021 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 11