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Opening Drive
Coming Up Aces
by CHRIS LANG
I’VE COME CLOSE TO MAKING A
HOLE IN ONE ONCE IN MY LIFE. It
was in the late 1990s at Lake Powell National
Golf Course in Page, Ariz. It’s an uphill
par 3 with water behind the green that
really doesn’t come into play, and on this
day, the hole was cut into the right side of
the green, making the shot semi-blind. I
teed off and headed toward the green, and
the gentlemen waiting to play on No. 3 said,
“you’re gonna like that one.” It was two
inches from the cup, and I grinned from ear to ear as I headed up to tap in my birdie putt.
(I probably shot 100 that day, but it didn’t matter. It was the proverbial shot that
keeps you coming back.)
If I can have such a photographic memory of a near miss from more than two
decades ago, imagine how those who have actually made an ace can describe their
magic moments. For this issue’s cover story, we asked VSGA members to share
some of their hole-in-one memories, and boy, did you ever respond. We received
more than 50 entries and had to pick and choose some of the best ones for print.
Don’t see yours in this issue? Don’t fret. If you submitted a story, it will appear on
VSGA.org under “The Latest” section near the bottom of the home page.
I’d encourage members to check out some of those stories. Because of the limitations
of space in print, some of the submissions were too long to feature in this
issue, like Phil White’s tale of his two holes-in-one in the same 18-hole round, and
how divine intervention may have played a role in his aces.
We appreciate the entries and the opportunity to share your stories with the rest
of the VSGA membership.
Also in this issue:
• The Dominion Energy Charity Classic is still on the schedule and is expected to
take place in October, but it will hardly be business as usual. As has been the case
across professional golf this year, no fans will be allowed at the event. Art Utley
looks at how the PGA Tour Champions event at The Country Club of Virginia is
adapting in uncertain times.
• Looking for another golf destination within a day's drive of Virginia? Maryland's
Eastern Shore is calling. Ian Guerin profiles some of the area's top courses in Explorer.
• After a long layoff due to the pandemic, the VSGA championship schedule began
in July and featured compelling storylines and worthy champions. Read more in
Around The Commonwealth.
• Leonard Shapiro profiles Mike McGetrick, the highly regarded head professional
at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. McGetrick also offers some tips to help you get
more out of your game.
Chris Lang, Editor
Contact me: [email protected]
Don’t see yours in this
issue? Don’t fret. If you
submitted a story, it will
appear on VSGA.org
under “The Latest” section
near the bottom of the
home page.
The Summer Return, cont'd
“I played with him in the practice
round, and I think everybody in our group
saw this coming,” said Mikey Moyers, who
shot a three-day 208 to finish third. “We
were like, if he hits it like this, we have
no chance. He hits hit higher and farther
than all of us. There are certain shots you
have to hit here high and with spin, and he
can do that.
“He was just playing a different game.”
Lawrence has long been one of Virginia’s
elite amateur talents. The State Open
win was his sixth in a VSGA event, and
he added a seventh title two weeks later
at the VSGA Amateur. (See page 12 for
more.) He also made an impact on the
national stage in 2017, advancing to the
semifinals of the U.S. Amateur before
falling in a thrilling match to eventual
champion Doc Redman, who is now on
the PGA Tour.
There was a certain air of inevitability
to Lawrence’s win at Ballyhack, simply
because it was evident early that he
wasn’t going to back up and let his pursuers
catch him.
Lawrence made just two bogeys in 54
holes and broke the Ballyhack State Open
scoring record—previously held by Fielding
Brewbaker and Lanto Griffin—by four
strokes. His lead never dipped below four
shots in Saturday’s final round.
“He’s too good of a player not to win,”
Young said. “He just has a different game
than everybody else. He’s always played
well here. For him to win, it’s really no surprise.
He’s been very close. Now for him to
finally get the win, my hat’s off to him.”
95TH VSGA WOMEN’S AMATEUR
CHAMPIONSHIP
Winner: Tatum Walsh
Finalist: Julie Shin
The story: The VSGA Women’s Amateur,
well, it’s become a kid’s game. For
the second straight year, a St. Catherine’s
School player claimed the trophy,
with 17-year-old Tatum Walsh defeating
16-year-old Julie Shin 5 and 3 at
Roanoke Country Club to win her first
VSGA championship. Walsh, who lives
in Midlothian and is committed to play
college golf at James Madison, joined
6 V IRGINIA G OLFER | S EPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020
vsga.org