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About the VSGA

The Virginia State Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves the needs of individual golfers and member clubs across Virginia. VSGA members enjoy many benefits, including handicapping, course rating and scoring services, and the opportunity to compete in championships and events for golfers of all ages and abilities. The VSGA is a supporter of Youth on Course and is a proud member of the United States Adaptive Golf Alliance.

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History of the VSGA

1904

Under the leadership of James Hume of Norfolk Country Club, the first statewide golf tournament in Virginia was organized, featuring Lakeside Golf Club, Roanoke Country Club, Hampton Roads Golf and Country Club and Norfolk Country Club. Lakeside defeated Hampton in the title match. By 1911, the name Virginia State Golf Association was adopted for the participating clubs.

1922

The first VSGA Women’s Amateur Championship is conducted at The Homestead in Hot Springs. Mrs. J.W. Zimmerman of Lexington defeats Mrs. Jean S. Jones of Richmond 3 and 2 in the title match.

1911

William H. Palmer Jr. of Richmond wins the first VSGA Amateur Championship, held at The Country Club of Virginia. H.H. Meade of Richmond was the runner-up. The Amateur becomes a match-play event eight years later, with J.S. “Jim” Barron of Norfolk defeating Silas M. Newton of Richmond in the title match at Norfolk Country Club.

1924

Elmer Loving of Virginia Beach wins the inaugural State Open of Virginia at Hermitage Country Club.

1928

The Homestead in Hot Springs becomes the first Virginia site to host a USGA championship, hosting the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship.

1942

Sam Snead becomes the first Virginia-born golfer to win a major championship, beating Jim Turnesa to win the PGA Championship in New Jersey.

1949

Sam Snead wins the PGA Championship at Hermitage Country Club (now the site of Belmont Golf Course), marking the only time a major championship has been held in Virginia.

1942

VSGA halts championships due to World War II. 

1945

VSGA' is resumed after being halted due to World War II.

1950

The VSGA establishes a Women’s Division that provides specialized services to female golfers. The Women’s Division conducted championships and one-day events for women, provided course-rating services for ladies’ markers and supported scholarships and events for junior girls.

1952

The United States Golf Association publishes its first course rating manual, sparking an ambitious effort by state and regional golf associations – the VSGA included – to independently rate every golf course. 

1957

Inspired by the men’s matches, the VSGA Women’s Division creates an annual competition called the Women’s Virginias-Carolinas Matches.

1963

Robbye King Youel wins the first of her six VSGA Women’s Amateur Championships. She would later be inducted into the Virginia Sports and Virginia Golf Halls of Fame.

1955

The VSGA creates an annual competition between players from Virginia and West Virginia against players from North Carolina and South Carolina, now called the Captain’s Putter Matches.

1962

Vinny Giles defeats Sam Wallace 6 and 5 to win the first of his 15 VSGA championships. Giles would become one of the most decorated amateurs in golf history, having won the U.S. Amateur, British Amateur, U.S. Senior Amateur, while making three appearances in the Masters and two in the U.S. Open.

1970

Brothers Bobby and Lanny Wadkins meet in the VSGA Amateur Championship match. Both would go onto successful professional careers and be inducted into the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame.

1976

The Country Club of Virginia’s Harry Easterly is the first Virginian named president of the USGA. Bill Battle (Farmington Country Club, 1988-89) and Mark Newell (Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, 2018-19) also served as USGA presidents.

1984

The VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation is established, and the VIP Card makes its debut. Proceeds from the VIP Card helped fund the scholarship foundation.

1988

At Danville Golf Club, Keith Decker defeats Dicky Linkous 3 and 1 to win the VSGA Amateur, the first of his record 34 VSGA championships, his most recent coming in 2023. He would later be inducted into the Virginia Golf Halls of Fame.

1983

The VSGA and VPGA Opens merge into one State Open of Virginia. The VSGA and VPGA Opens had operated as separate entities since 1957.

1985

The VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation awards its first three grants, totaling $4,000. Since then, the Foundation has awarded more than $2.6 million to more than 1,100 students who share an interest in golf.

1995

Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville hosts the inaugural Presidents Cup. 

2001

Independence Golf Club in Midlothian opens, serving as a headquarters for the VSGA and many pilot programs.

2013

E. Lee Coble is elected as the first African American President of the VSGA.

2015

The VSGA moves into its current headquarters on Dovercourt Drive in Midlothian after years of sharing space with nearby Independence Golf Club.

2021

Anne Gordon Greever is elected the first female President of the VSGA.

2010

The VSGA Junior Golf Circuit makes its debut.

2015

The VSGA Women’s Division is integrated into VSGA governance. 

2016

The Virginia Golf Hall of Fame inducts its Inaugural Class at The Homestead, featuring Vinny Giles, Chandler Harper, Sam Snead, Clyde Luther, Lanny Wadkins and Curtis Strange.

Core Values

Our core values are the foundation for the strategic plan. They drive our decision making and our behaviors. We commit to being:

Inclusive

We strive to welcome every person who is interested in the game of golf as a part of our golfing community.

Service-oriented

We are responsive and helpful to our members, member clubs, golf professionals, superintendents, and golf-related businesses.

Professional

We exhibit the skill, good judgment and respect that show we are trained to do our jobs well and take pride in what we do. 

Knowledgeable

We will stay informed on current rules and develop best practices, and we will share that knowledge with our members and member clubs in effective ways.

Our Team

Meet the members of the VSGA professional staff, along with our independent contractors.

VSGA Board of Directors

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Meet our Board Members

The VSGA, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, is comprised on between 15 and 17 Directors (elected by VSGA member clubs) and the Immediate Past President.

Board of Directors