( atc )
Around The Commonwealth
Opening Drive
A Giant Leap
for Greenlief
WHEN TWO -TIME VSGA WOMEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPION LAUREN
GREENLIEF advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Women’s Amateur Cham-
pionship in August, commentators at Fox Sports—which holds the television rights
for the USGA’s various championships—scrambled to scroll dozens of pages down
the World Amateur Golf Rankings to find her name.
Greenlief entered the championship at No. 1,288. Her opponent in the quarterfinals,
University of Alabama standout Lauren
Stephenson, was No. 5. In reality, the dis-
crepancy between the two players’ games
“Greenlief’s showing
was not that great. Stephenson played in
more elite-level events, giving her more
in Tennessee can serve
opportunities for high finishes and points.
as inspiration for those
Stephenson used a strong back nine to
beat Greenlief 2 and 1, but with that one
who think a career in
great showing in an elite event, Greenlief
competitive golf has to
surged a whopping 599 spots in the rank-
end when college ends
ings to No. 689.
This isn’t a screed against the rankings
and professional business
system. Far from it. But it shows just
careers begin.”
how big of an accomplishment it was for
Greenlief—a lifelong amateur with a full-
time career—to reach the quarterfinals of
such a prestigious event.
It had been a dozen years since a mid-amateur had advanced past the round of
16 at the U.S. Women’s Amateur. And again, a college standout (Alabama’s Kristen
Gillman) won the championship. That should surprise no one.
But Greenlief’s showing in Tennessee can serve as inspiration for those who think
a career in competitive golf has to end when college ends and professional business
careers begin. One such player trying to find that balance is Danville’s Mariah Hop-
kins, whom Greenlief defeated in the quarterfinals of the VSGA Women’s Amateur
Championship in July. How does one make the transition from college golf to the
“real world” while still keeping a foot in the game? Hopkins describes her motiva-
tion in this issue’s Next Up section.
On the cover, we bid farewell to professional golf in the Washington, D.C. area, where
even the game’s (still, by far) biggest star couldn’t save his own tournament. Corporate
money speaks, and the Quicken Loans National is off to Detroit, leaving D.C. without
a PGA Tour stop for the foreseeable future. Since the Tour left Kingsmill in 2002,
Virginia residents clamoring to see the world’s best men had to leave the state to do so
(save for the one year Robert Trent Jones GC in Gainesville hosted Tiger's event), and
Tiger's tournament was a great option for the millions who live in the Commonwealth’s
northern counties and cities. No doubt, it will be missed.
News & Notes
IN MEMORIAM
Ashley Burger, who spent years working
at both Farmington Country Club and
Keswick Golf Club and was beloved in the
Charlottesville golf community, died on
July 28 at the age of 41.
Burger was featured on the cover of
the January-February 2009 issue of
Virginia Golfer after triumphing over
cancer for the first time. The disease
returned, however, and ultimately
claimed her life. Along with her work in
the golf industry, Burger was a tireless
volunteer who worked with Martha Jef-
ferson Hospital’s Martha’s Market until
she was no longer able to do so.
Burger is survived by her parents, broth-
ers Ray Burger III and Hunter Burger, and
nephews Ray Burger IV and Cecil Burger.
Memorial contributions may be made
to Broadwater Academy (P.O. Box 546,
Exmore, VA, 23350) or Riverside Shore
Hospice (P.O. Box 616, Onley, VA, 23418).
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A Pillar of
Strength
Farmington Country Club’s
Ashley Burger’s triumph over
cancer shows how one person’s
spirit can help inspire others
See your handicap chairman to receive Virginia Golfer by mail!
Ashley Burger was featured on the cover of the
January-February 2009 issue of Virginia Golfer after
her initial fight with cancer. The disease took her life
in July of this year, but not before her story inspired
people throughout the Charlottesville golf community
and beyond.
Chris Lang, Editor
8
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