LIVE FROM JOHNSON WAGNER + BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU
Pinehurst, N. C., after the conclusion of the 2024 U. S. Open Championship.
USGA
Assured it was not a setup, Stinnett shared several hilarious stories from their time together in Blacksburg— including one time before a tournament at Duke, when the Hokies started cutting up in line for the clubhouse lunch buffet, shoving each other around and generally causing a commotion, while nearby players from other teams were methodically going about their preparations on the putting green.
“ I remember people looking at us like,‘ Look at these clowns,’ but we knew we were good and we didn’ t care. It was just friends having fun,” he recalled.
“ It was the closest team I ever had,” Hardwick added.“ Those guys did everything together. They were friends and there were no egos— they just wanted to beat you and they found a way to do that. I’ m glad they’ re still close to each other and they love Virginia Tech.”
Reflecting on all that Wagner has accomplished over the nearly 30 years since their initial encounter on the driving range in Roanoke, Hardwick also expressed pride in watching him carve out a niche in golf media with a unique blend of charisma, knowledge and skill.
“ They’ re allowing him to use all three to do something that’ s really never been done on TV,” he said.“ It’ s a fresh and new approach, and I hope it’ s here to stay because it’ s fun to watch.”
HALL OF FAME HIGHLIGHTS
As Wagner steps in to emcee this year’ s induction ceremony, meet the standout names joining the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame.
vsga. org S EPTEMBER / O CTOBER 2025 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 19