Virginia Golfer Sep / Oct 2019 | Page 23

A 10-year extension that begins in 2020 ensures the Dominion Energy Charity Classic will become a Virginia fall institution NUMBER OF PEOPLE INVOLVED WITH THE DOMINION ENERGY CHARITY CLASSIC had one pressing question in mind after the PGA Tour Champi- ons, Dominion Energy and the Country Club of Virginia announced a 10-year extension of the DECC last October. “How old will I be in 2029?” That is the last year of the extension that covers the entire decade of the 2020s. As the announcement noted, “The joint agreements establish history as the longest simultaneous extensions announced between title sponsor and host venue in PGA Tour Champions history.” This year’s fourth renewal of the Schwab Cup playoff event is October 17-20. The extension begins with the 2020 tournament. The 10-year commitment was a bold move. “We realized very quickly that Richmond was a terrific market for our event. The reception was extremely positive from day one, from corporate sponsors, volunteers and fans,” says Steve Schoenfeld, the tournament’s executive director. DOMINION ENERGY CHARITY CLASSIC The Dominion Energy Charity Classic returned senior golf to the Richmond area. Hermitage Country Club played host to the United Virgin- ia Bank Seniors/Crestar Classic from 1983 to 1990. Chi Chi Rodriguez won the event twice and Arnold Palmer scored his last victory there in 1988. The PGA Tour’s top developmental tour, now known as the Korn Ferry Tour, stopped at The Dominion Club for 14 years and Stone- henge G&CC two years from 1993-2008. Olin Browne, who won the Nike Dominion Open at The Dominion Club in 1996, won the 2011 U.S. Senior Open on the PGA Tour Cham- pions and has played in the three previous DECC tournaments. The LPGA’s Symetra Tour had a 7-year run at Richmond Country Club from 2008 to 2014. The 2011 winner, Mo Martin, went on to win the Women’s British Open in 2014. WHAT: First of three tournaments that make up the Schwab Cup playoffs. WHEN: Oct. 14-20 WHERE: Country Club of Virginia James River Course designed by William Flynn with a reno- vation by Lester George in 2003. FIELD/PURSE: 72 players; 54 holes no cut; 54 players advance to second playoff event; $2 million purse. PAST CHAMPIONS: 2016: Scott McCarron in a playoff; 2017: Bernhard Langer by one stroke; 2018: Woody Austin by one stroke. TEN PLAYERS FROM SCHWAB CUP STAND- INGS TO WATCH: McCarron, Steve Stricker, Jerry Kelly, Scott Parel, Langer, Kirk Triplett, David Toms, Retief Goosen, Kevin Sutherland, Ken Tanigawa. MAJORS WINNERS FOR 2019: Stricker (2), Tanigawa, Goosen, Langer. Stricker and Langer each have won multiple senior major championships. BERNHARD LANGER STEVE STRICKER vsga.org S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 19 | V I R G I N I A G O L F E R 21