“ It’ s a huge deal. To highlight one of the best courses in the United States, as well as reminding everyone about the Cascades in Virginia.”
A HISTORIC VENUE, NEWLY RESTORED Since the last USGA championship at The Homestead in 2009, the iconic resort has undergone a sweeping transformation. The $ 180 million renovation, completed under the leadership of Managing Director Mark Spadoni, brought fresh energy to the 2,300-acre property.
“ After 40 years being with Westin Hotels and Resorts, the opportunity presented itself for me to be able to lead the $ 180 million innovation that we have to return The Homestead to its rightful position,” Spadoni said.“ It’ s one of the great golf destinations and iconic resorts in the country.”
Upgrades included refreshed guest rooms with 55-inch televisions, upgraded light fixtures, enhanced artwork, improved Wi-Fi and new furnishings— all part of a broader vision to modernize the resort without compromising its timeless charm.
But Spadoni’ s efforts didn’ t stop at interiors. One of his top priorities was reestablishing ties with the USGA and bringing championship golf back to The Homestead.
“ It’ s a huge deal. To highlight one of the best courses in the United States, as well as reminding everyone about the Cascades in Virginia.”
– Mary Cabriele
TWO CHAMPIONSHIPS, YEARS IN THE MAKING The renewed interest in the relationship bore fruit. In addition to this year’ s U. S. Senior Women’ s Amateur, The Homestead will also host the U. S. Senior Amateur in 2029.
USGA Managing Director of Championships Mark Hill said Spadoni’ s early outreach helped set the process in motion.
“ Mark [ Spadoni ] was a key figure and voice for Omni Homestead,” Hill said.“ He first reached out to us about five or six years ago to have us back for a championship. And the net result of those talks was two championships— this year’ s Senior Women’ s Amateur and then the Senior Amateur four years from now in 2029.”
The Homestead’ s legacy with the USGA stretches back nearly a century, beginning with the 1928 U. S. Women’ s Amateur, won by legendary Glenna Collett-Vare. Over the decades, the Cascades Course has hosted a total of eight USGA championships, including a Curtis Cup and a U. S. Women’ s Open.
“ We’ re happy to get back to a place that has so much history with us and history with championship golf in Virginia,” Hill said.
HOME COURSE ADVANTAGE The Homestead won’ t just be welcoming a national field— it will also serve as something of a homecoming for three Virginia golfers who qualified for this year’ s championship: Kristin Shifflett, Kim Palko and Mary Cabriele.
For Palko, who turned 50 this year, the road to Hot Springs ran right through her home course, Mount Vernon Country Club. She earned her spot in the field at the July 18 qualifier, surrounded by familiar faces.
“ It was fun to be there when I qualified,” Palko said.“ A lot of the members came out and were very supportive, and the pro shop’ s just been amazingly supportive. So that’ s been a lot of fun just
KATELYNN BROWN( CABRIELE); CHRIS LANG( PALKO)
24 V IRGINIA G OLFER | S EPTEMBER / O CTOBER 2025 vsga. org