The 14-man rosters for the 36th Virginia-West
Virginia Matches, which will be held at Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, W. Va.,
April 27-28, are set. The Virginia State Golf Association team for the event
features a mix of newcomers and veterans and includes the reigning champions of
the VSGA Amateur, VSGA Senior Amateur and Senior Open of Virginia.
Last year’s matches, held at Olde Mill in Laurel Fork, ended
in a 14-all tie, ending a streak of eight Virginia wins in the series. Virginia
holds a 29-4-2 lead in the series. West Virginia’s lone win since 1994 came in
2009 when it defeated Virginia at Pete Dye Golf Club in Bridgeport, W. Va. All
four of West Virginia’s wins in the series have come on home soil.
Each side features eight regulars, four seniors and two super
seniors. On Saturday, April 27, the teams will compete in foursome (alternate
shot) and four-ball (better ball) matches. Sunday will feature 14 singles
matches. One point is at stake in each match. The winner will claim Ye Ole
Feudin’ Stick. If the event ends in a tie, Virginia will retain the Feudin’
Stick.
The VSGA team, led by captain Tim Rash (Midlothian), features:
REGULARS
- Chase Bailey (Roanoke): Finished 14th
in the VSGA Men’s Player Rankings in 2018. - Jimmy Delp (Falmouth): Finished No. 4 in the
VSGA Men’s Player Rankings in 2018; tied for fourth at VSGA Mid-Amateur and
tied for 19th at the Delta Dental State Open of Virginia. - Ben Keefer (Glen Allen): Teamed with Delp to
finish tied for second at last year’s VSGA Four-Ball Stroke Play Championship;
won the Fredericksburg Amateur. - Kyle Martin (Hampton): Finished last season
strong, was part of the winning side at the Willow Oaks Four-Ball and tied for
second at the VSGA Mid-Amateur. - John Rosenstock (Richmond): Won his singles
match at last year’s Virginia-West Virginia Matches; won 2018 Sleepy Hole
Amateur. - Steve Serrao (Midlothian): Plays as both a
senior and regular in VSGA events; secured the tying point in last year’s
matches with his singles victory. - Trey Smith (Richmond): Reigning VSGA Amateur
Champion. - Justin Young (Salem): Low amateur at last year’s
Delta Dental State Open of Virginia.
SENIOR (50 and older)
- Jack Allara (Salem): Last participated in this event in 2016, going 3-0 in the matches won by the VSGA side at The Omni Homestead Resort.
- Buck Brittain (Tazewell): Won his second straight Senior Open of Virginia in 2018 and won the 2018 VSGA Mid-Amateur Championship.
- Rich Buckner (Clifton): 2016 VSGA Senior Amateur champion; reached round of 16 at last year’s Senior Am.
- Scott Reisenweaver (Midlothian): Finished eighth in the VSGA Senior Men’s Player Rankings in 2018; won 2018 Greene Hills Invitational (senior).
SUPER SENIOR (65 and
older)
- John Hoffman (Fairfax): Finished No. 1 in 2018
VSGA Super Senior Player Rankings; won the super senior division at the Greene
Hills Invitational and The Signature at The Federal Club. - Leon Roday (Henrico): Roday recently turned 65
and will be making his debut as a super senior; won the 2017 VSGA Mid-Senior
Amateur Championship.
West Virginia team, captained by Dave Pope of Charleston:
REGULAR
- Brian Anania (Hurricane)
- Josh Arbaugh (Morgantown)
- Christian Boyd (Charles Town)
- Nick Dent (White Sulphur Springs)
- Jess Ferrell (Fairmont)
- Phillip Reale (Charleston)
- Cam Roam (Hurricane)
- Chris Williams (Hurricane)
SENIOR
- Steve Fox (Barboursville)
- John Kingora (Morgantown)
- Harold Payne (Hurricane)
- Mitch Roush (Mason)
SUPER SENIOR
- Jim Carpenter (Martinsburg)
- Barry Knotts (Morgantown)