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Opening Drive
September Whirlwind Caps an Incredible Year
THIS YEAR-END ISSUE OF VIRGINIA GOLFER is heavy on competitions , which will happen when two of the biggest events in the world visit the Commonwealth in the span of two weeks .
The Solheim Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville — despite some early transportation fumbles — was as exciting as antici-
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pated , and Virginia ’ s own Lauren Coughlin was right in the middle of it , going 3-0-1 to play a huge role in the United States ’ 15.5-12.5 victory .
Coughlin ’ s path to fame has been non-traditional , as she ’ s surged at an age where some have contemplated retirement .
“ I think it shows that you can be a Rose Zhang and be great when you ' re young ,” U . S . captain Stacy Lewis said of Coughlin , 32 . " But you can also play some pretty great golf at 30 . I think it should give some hope to the younger players out on the mini tours and trying to make it out here , that you can play your best golf at any age .”
Read more about Coughlin ’ s Virginia roots and the dream season that vaulted her from a relative unknown to one of the best players in the world in this issue ’ s cover story . And shoutout to VSGA member and One-Day warrior Paul Pierce for his excellent photos from the event .
Coughlin wasn ’ t the only big Virginia winner , as VSGA member Evan Beck fulfilled a life-long goal by winning the U . S . Mid-Amateur Championship at Kinloch Golf Club less than two weeks later . The VSGA had eight members competing in the event , and the support from the Virginia golf community at both Kinloch and Independence was tremendous . In the end , seeing Vinny Giles step onto the green after Beck ’ s win to congratulate him was one of the cooler things I ’ ve seen this year — from one USGA champion to another . Catch the full story of Beck ’ s victory in this issue as well .
Also :
• We honor the VSGA ’ s Golfers of the Year in this issue , eight of them in total .
• I had the opportunity to lead a VSGA member trip in October , heading with a group of 18 to Kohler in Wisconsin . What a great time ! If you ’ ve ever considered joining fellow VSGA members on one of these trips , you can find more information on them in this issue ’ s Explorer feature .
We ’ re gearing up for an exciting 2025 here at VSGA headquarters . Thanks for reading this issue , and as always , my inbox is open . Ideas and suggestions are welcome !
Chris Lang , Editor clang @ vsga . org by CHRIS LANG
The VSGA had eight members competing at the U . S . Mid-Amateur Championship at Kinloch Golf Club , and the support from the Virginia golf community at both Kinloch and Independence was tremendous .
Four qualify for National DCP Finals cont ’ d ...
Dunaway will compete in the boys 7-9 division ; Hodge will compete in the boys 10-11 division ; Palmer will play in the boys 14-15 division ; and Bell will compete in the girls 14-15 division . All four qualified at the regional qualifier at Aroniminik Golf Club on Sept . 21 .
Look for more on the four finalists in the March-April 2025 issue of Virginia Golfer .
USGA IDEA grants The USGA awarded its latest round of IDEA ( inclusion , diversity , equity , accessibility ) grant funding to 28 First Tee chapters across the country , including three local to Virginia : First Tee – Greater Washington D . C .; First Tee – Virginia Blue Ridge ; and First Tee – Greater Richmond .
“ It ’ s important that we not let up on these efforts and continue to deliver resources toward the programs that help eliminate financial , language or accessibility barriers so that even more kids can enjoy our game .”
— Mike Whan , USGA CEO
Since the grant program ’ s inception in 2021 , the USGA has awarded 100 grants to more than 50 chapters , supporting initiatives that strengthen inclusion among participants , coaches and volunteers . In total , $ 810,000 has been awarded to date , with several chapters receiving funding year-over-year to sustain the growth that has been generated from grant activities .
“ The work that so many First Tee chapters have done — and will continue to do — as a result of IDEA grant funding is inspiring and goes well beyond the golf course ,” USGA CEO Mike Whan said . “ It ’ s important that we not let up on these efforts and continue to deliver resources toward the programs that help eliminate financial , language or accessibility barriers so that even more kids can enjoy our game .”
6 V IRGINIA G OLFER | N OVEMBER / D ECEMBER 2024 vsga . org