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.
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.
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.
Elmer Loving of Virginia Beach wins the inaugural State Open of Virginia at Hermitage Country Club.
The Homestead in Hot Springs becomes the first Virginia site to host a USGA championship, hosting the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship.
Sam Snead becomes the first Virginia-born golfer to win a major championship, beating Jim Turnesa to win the PGA Championship in New Jersey.
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.
VSGA halts championships due to World War II.
VSGA' is resumed after being halted due to World War II.
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.
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.
Inspired by the men’s matches, the VSGA Women’s Division creates an annual competition called the Women’s Virginias-Carolinas Matches.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation is established, and the VIP Card makes its debut. Proceeds from the VIP Card helped fund the scholarship foundation.
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.
The VSGA and VPGA Opens merge into one State Open of Virginia. The VSGA and VPGA Opens had operated as separate entities since 1957.
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.
Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville hosts the inaugural Presidents Cup.
Independence Golf Club in Midlothian opens, serving as a headquarters for the VSGA and many pilot programs.
E. Lee Coble is elected as the first African American President of the VSGA.
The VSGA moves into its current headquarters on Dovercourt Drive in Midlothian after years of sharing space with nearby Independence Golf Club.
Anne Gordon Greever is elected the first female President of the VSGA.
The VSGA Junior Golf Circuit makes its debut.
The VSGA Women’s Division is integrated into VSGA governance.
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.
We strive to welcome every person who is interested in the game of golf as a part of our golfing community.
We are responsive and helpful to our members, member clubs, golf professionals, superintendents, and golf-related businesses.
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.
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.
Caleb is from outside of Raleigh, North Carolina. He attended Virginia Tech, where he got a degree in Sustainable Biomaterials. Knowing he wanted to pursue a career in golf, he got his Masters in Sport Administration from Arkansas State University. Caleb is a past Boatwright intern with the VSGA. Outside of the golf course Caleb loves spending time with his fiancée Kati, dog Tommy and being a diehard Virginia Tech fan. Email Caleb
Sam Jung was born in Seoul, South Korea, and moved to the United States in 2005. Sam started playing golf when he was nine years old and fell in love with the game ever since. After a successful junior golf career, he went onto play and graduate from the University of Virginia in 2022.
Sam is currently pursing to play on a professional golf tour. Even though he’s focused on his game, Sam is still passionate about growing the game of golf. He’s currently working at Eisman Golf Academy offering individual and group lessons to all skill level.
Sam has been with the VSGA as a regional coordinator since 2023.
Originally from Northern Virginia, Peter has vast experience around various sports, having grown up playing baseball, tennis, and golf. Once moving to the Blacksburg area, he worked at Dick’s Sporting Goods in the golf department which provided him with his first real experience of the golf industry. This translated to his current role at Blacksburg Country Club where he is currently an assistant. Outside of working at BCC and VSGA, Peter enjoys playing golf and doing other outdoor activities with his friends and family!
Peter has been with the VSGA as a regional coordinator since 2020.
Ed Gill, often known as “Coach Ed” , was born in Chester, England, and moved to the United States in 2000. He has lived in Virginia ever since, and graduated from James Madison University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs. After graduating he quickly discovered a passion for working in the golf industry, specifically coaching players to reach their fullest potential.
He is currently the Director of Instruction at The Dominion Club in Glen Allen, Virginia. He is passionately growing the game, offering a Junior Golf Academy, individual private lessons as well as other organized group instruction. He is currently a Level II PGA Associate working diligently towards my PGA of America Class A membership.
He has a passion for growing the game is expressed in his energetic and enthusiastic approach to helping his clients set and achieve new goals. Golf is a never ending journey full of learning.
Originally from Ireland, Michelle was introduced to the game of golf by her father at the age of 10. After an exceptional junior career at both a national and international level, Michelle received a college golf scholarship and attended Campbell University in North Carolina where she represented the Fighting Camels Women’s golf team for four years. Michelle graduated from Campbell in 2005 and became the Assistant Golf Professional at Lambert’s Point Golf Club. Michelle was promoted to Manager and Head Teaching Professional in 2007. Michelle has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Kids Teacher Award by U.S. Kids Golf in 2015 and 2016, as well as the LPGA Northeast Section Junior Golf Leader in 2018. In January of 2020, Michelle became the third recipient of the VSGA Grow The Game Award. Since starting with the VSGA in 2012, Michelle has built a foundation and following among junior golfers in the Hampton Roads area through the Michelle Holmes School of Golf and being a tournament administrator for U.S. Kids Golf and an LPGA Girls Golf Director.