No. 272
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Opening Drive by CHRIS LANG
Rolling with the Punches
WE’ VE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER to have to reconfigure an issue of Virginia Golfer. Pretty deep in the layout and design process for the issue you’ re reading now, we were gifted a no-brainer cover story, thanks to a smooth-swinging lefty from Magnolia Green Golf Club who upended the world order in junior golf at Saucon Valley Country Club in Pennsylvania.
Noah Maclauchlan’ s victory in the U. S. Junior Amateur was historic by several standards, and you can read about the immediate aftermath of his victory over top junior Miles Russell in this issue’ s cover story. A couple of things that didn’ t make it to the main story:
• Maclauchlan’ s appreciation for the support from back home during his improbable run to the title. While a lot of his friends and family trekked north to Pennsylvania for the final match, plenty more— especially in the Richmond area— got swept up by the story of a local kid making history.“ It was unbelievable,” Maclauchlan said.“ Checking my phone, I had messages from people I’ ve known but wasn’ t really close with; people in my family that I don’ t really see; and people I’ ve never met in my life. The support was the best support I could have asked for.”
• His conversation with Russell after the match, where Russell simply told Maclauchlan,“ You deserve it,” after his win.
• And the fact that five days later, it began to truly sink in what it meant to beat one of the world’ s best amateurs in such dominant fashion.“ I think I should give myself a little bit more credit for beating the No. 1 junior 6 and 5. You know, that’ s awesome. It was not relatively close, and I think I can say that without being cocky or being a brat. Miles is a very talented golfer, a top golfer in our world, he’ s better than thousands of college kids. So yeah, I should give myself more credit for beating Miles 6 and 5.” The Maclauchlan story pushed a couple of longstanding features out of this issue simply due to space concerns. Fit For Play and The Rules will return in the December issue, but it made sense to give the Maclauchlan story the space it deserved.
But speaking of the Rules, in the wake of Bryson DeChambeau’ s Rules fiasco at The Open Championship, it might be a good idea for all golfers to refresh themselves on Rule 8: Course Played as It Is Found. It might save you some anguish when you find yourself in similar situations.
As always, thanks for reading, and my inbox is open for ideas and constructive criticism.
Chris Lang, Editor clang @ vsga. org
Noah Maclauchlan jumped
1,775 SPOTS
in the World Amateur Golf Ranking to
No. 272
after his victory over Miles Russell at the U. S. Junior Amateur Championship.
“ New Life for The Crossings” Cont’ d...
sional tour events and high-level amateur tournaments, including college and high school events.
McConnell aims to reopen The Crossings in fall 2027.
“ As a Virginia native, I’ m excited to continue investing in my home state with The Crossings Golf Club,” McConnell Golf founder and CEO John McConnell said in a press release.“ Joe Lee created a wonderful golf course, and we’ re looking forward to bringing it back to life while preserving the character that made it special. Golf course architect Kris Spence has a great vision for the property, and I think golfers will enjoy the course as it was always meant to be played.”
McConnell Golf also manages VSGA member clubs Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech in Radford and The Water’ s Edge Country Club in Penhook.
Spence’ s master plan will restore many of the design elements that made The Crossings a favorite among Virginia golfers while creating a course that appeals to players of every skill level. The layout will stretch to approximately 7,400 yards from the championship tees while continuing to offer multiple teeing grounds for recreational golfers.
“ The restoration of The Crossings will feature a robust par-72 layout with six teeing options to accommodate golfers of all skill levels,” Spence said.“ Beyond the general area, players will also enjoy thoughtfully integrated native grasses, which add natural character while promoting biodiversity and reducing maintenance.”
Construction is expected to begin later this summer, with irrigation installation scheduled for August, followed by earthmoving as permits are approved. The renovated course will feature TifEagle Bermudagrass greens, Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass tees and fairways, 419 Bermudagrass roughs, and native grass areas designed to enhance wildlife habitat and support pollinators. Grassing is planned for spring 2027 ahead of the scheduled fall 2027 reopening.
McConnell Golf has also unveiled a new identity for The Crossings Golf Club
6 V IRGINIA G OLFER | S EPTEMBER / O CTOBER 2026 vsga. org