Around The Commonwealth field at Farmington Country Club by four strokes to become the first player to hoist the newly minted Robbye King Unger trophy. Swedick, who is from Albany, New York, but is a sophomore at UVA, joins Penn State’ s Michelle Cox and California’ s Kaylyn Noh in the winner’ s circle.
“ To see all the volunteers, all the Farmington members, and then obviously my teammates and my friends and family come out and support, I’ m so blessed,” Swedick said.“ This week has been everything.”
Relive the final rounds of the Women’ s Open of Virginia and State Open of Virginia. Scan the QR codes to watch. Women’ s Open:
State Open:
17-year-old Luca Rinaldi— low amateur at the State Open of Virginia— fist bumps winner Larkin Gross, who became the first Class A PGA professional since 2003 to win.
Kennedy Swedick enjoys the spoils of victory at Farmington Country Club.
As Gross rolled to a seven-stroke victory in the State Open, Troy Thorne walked along with him. Thorne, professional at The Golf Club at the Highlands, is a colleague. But he’ s also a mentor, having taught Gross during his time as a professional at Hobbs Hole Golf Course in Tappahannock.
As Gross completed interviews following the victory, he showed a medal on a necklace that he wore during the round. On the back, it read,“ I beat Troy.”
“ That was a rite of passage at Hobbs Hole, you had to beat Troy to be good,” Gross said.“ I can’ t tell you how many nights I went out and played with him, and he just beat me for so long. Finally, I clipped him, and the floodgates opened.”
Gross’ choice of the word floodgates was apropos, as his fellow competitors must have felt helpless against the rush during the weekend at Independence Golf Club. Gross posted a three-day total of 16-under 194 and was never seriously threatened on the weekend. Luca Rinaldi, a 17-year-old junior at James River High School in Midlothian, posted a 6-under total of 204 to earn low amateur honors.
KAIDEN BRIDGES( 2)
WOMEN’ S OPEN OF VIRGINIA Kennedy Swedick became the third straight active college player to win the Women’ s Open of Virginia, besting the
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