IT WILL GROW. IT WILL BE SUSTAINED.
2016
INAUGURAL CLASS
of the VIRGINIA GOLF HALL OF FAME
ALLAN NYGREN, VSGA ARCHIVES
Gib Palmer remembers well the inaugural induction ceremony for the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame, held in May 2016 at The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs.
It was where Palmer, the immediate past president of the Virginia State Golf Association at the time, saw his idea of creating a Hall of Fame that respected the tradition and history of the game in Virginia come to fruition.
“ It is an unbelievable heritage, and we want to preserve and honor that,” Palmer said in the March / April 2016 issue of Virginia Golfer.
As president of the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame, Palmer stepped up to the microphone that night and introduced the inaugural class: Vinny Giles, Chandler Harper, Sam Snead, Curtis Strange, Lanny Wadkins, and Clyde Luther.
“ I have probably never been more nervous in my life than the day I stood up in front of the audience to kick this thing off,” Palmer recalled.“ I felt like the whole thing was on my shoulders, and if it bombed, it would be my fault. One of the great things about that evening was my son [ Chris ], who helped build the Hall of Fame website and who had worked with me through the process, came up to me afterward, shook my hand, and said,‘ You did it, dad.’”
The Virginia Golf Hall of Fame will return to The Homestead in October to celebrate its 10th anniversary. The four inductees are Ned Baber, Dr. Bob Rotella, Jay Woodson, and Lauren Coughlin— the Hall’ s youngest member. Golf Channel’ s Steve Sands returns to emcee, having previously hosted the 2017 induction at Country Club of Virginia.
“ We have honored a lot of top people in 10 years, and we still have a lot more to go,” Palmer said.“ There are so many worthy people that are deserving of the honor, and you can’ t do them all at one time.”
With about 90 names on the nomination list, he noted the importance of remaining selective.
IT WILL GROW. IT WILL BE SUSTAINED.
I don’ t worry about the future as much as I might have in the early years. I think it’ s got its own momentum now.
Gib Palmer
VIRGINIA GOLF HALL OF FAME PRESIDENT
“ I remember Dick Johns [ former executive director of the MAPGA ] in the first few meetings always cautioned the committee to remember this is the Hall of Fame— the Hall of Great, not the Hall of Good,” he said.“ This is an organization that’ s been designed to recognize the ones who rise above that, the ones who are truly outstanding contributors who have made their mark on the game.”
Virginia’ s Hall of Fame is virtual— a brick-and-mortar building was never intended. The four members of the Class of 2026 bring the roster total to 49 inductees. Of those, 22 are still living, eight passed away after being selected, and the remainder were elected posthumously.
“ I think the virtual Hall of Fame has been a success. The Hall is dynamic; it’ s meaningful,” Palmer said.“ Some states have just a dormant list of honorees; we never wanted to do that. My hope is that this will continue long after I’ m gone and will continue to be added to and enhance— and like we said in the very beginning— the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame is a place you can visit from anywhere in the world.”
Palmer added that support from the staff of the VSGA gives him confidence about the future.“ It will grow. It will be sustained,” he said.“ I don’ t worry about the future as much as I might have in the early years. I think it’ s got its own momentum now.”
Of all his responsibilities, notifying members of their selection remains Palmer’ s favorite perk.
“ The most gratifying aspect of this whole project has been the reaction of the inductees,” he said.“ I’ m always amazed and gratified by the reaction I get from people who seem truly honored, and it’ s meaningful to them. Then, when we go through the ceremony and induct them in the formal setting, they seem to appreciate it even more. When we started this, that was the hope— because it isn’ t worth doing if it isn’ t meaningful to the inductee.”
vsga. org S EPTEMBER / O CTOBER 2026 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 29