The Virginia State Golf Association continues to monitor reports from government leaders and health officials to guide its response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, which is affecting the health of thousands in Virginia and nationwide. The health and wellness of all VSGA members is of the highest priority.
Updating a previous decision to postpone VSGA championships and events through May 10, the VSGA has extended that period to include all VSGA championships, One-Day Events, Junior Golf Circuit events and in-person education events through at least May 31. However, the VSGA has begun to reschedule some postponed championships and events.
Per Executive Order 55, issued on March 30 by Virginia governor Ralph Northam, Virginia is under a temporary stay-at-home order that runs through June 10. All non-essential businesses have been ordered to remain closed until May 8, though with proper social distancing protocols in place, golf courses have been allowed to remain open under that order as golf is deemed an outdoor exercise activity.
Championships and team events that have been affected during the crisis include:
- 2nd VSGA Multi-Format Team Championship (The Dominion Club, Glen Allen)
- Original dates: April 3-4
- New dates: Aug. 25-26
- 37th Virginia-West Virginia Team Matches (Farmington CC, Charlottesville)
- Original dates: April 18-19
- Event has been canceled and will not be rescheduled
- 7th MAPGA/VSGA Junior Four-Ball Championship (Kingsmill Resort Plantation Course, Williamsburg)
- Original dates: April 25-26
- New dates: Aug. 29-30
- 78th VSGA Club Championship (The Foundry GC, Powhatan)
- Original date: April 27
- No plans to reschedule in 2020
- 55th VSGA Four-Ball Championship (Poplar Grove GC, Amherst)
- Original dates: May 16-17
- New dates: Oct. 17-18
- Note: Qualifying will no longer be held for this event. The field will be comprised of 60 sides. Priority acceptance will be given to all exempt sides (see 2020 VSGA Championship Exemptions). The remainder of the field will be selected by using the combined Handicap Index of sides as of Oct. 5, 2020.
- 38th VSGA Senior Four-Ball Championship (The Golden Horseshoe GC Gold, Williamsburg)
- Original dates: May 27-28
- New dates: July 7-8
- Note: Qualifying will no longer be held for this event. The field will be comprised of 70 sides. Priority acceptance will be given to all exempt sides (see 2020 VSGA Championship Exemptions). The remainder of the field will be selected by using the combined Handicap Index of sides as of June 29, 2020.
- 5th VSGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship (Ford’s Colony CC Blue Heron, Williamsburg)
- Original dates: May 16-17
- No plans to reschedule in 2020
- VSGA Spencer-Wilkinson Benefit Tournament (Wintergreen Resort Devils Knob, Nellysford)
- Original date: June 1
- New date: Sept. 28
- New site: Jefferson Lakeside CC, Richmond
- Note: The tournament will remain a four-person captain’s choice event open to men and women. The Women’s Two-Person Scramble, which was originally scheduled for this date and site, will not be held in 2020.
For more information and complete schedules, please visit the event registration website.
At this time, qualifying for the VSGA Amateur Championship and Delta Dental State Open of Virginia—slated for June 1-15 at multiple sites around the Commonwealth—is on as scheduled but is subject to change.
Visit the highlighted links for more information on updated schedules for VSGA One-Day Events and VSGA Junior Golf Circuit events.
Though in-person education events have been suspended, the VSGA is conducting two World Handicap System overview webinars in the next week. Each one-hour session will give attendees an overview of the new Rules of Handicapping, launched in January of this year. Click here to register for the April 23 webinar (10-11 a.m.) and click here to register for the April 28 webinar (5-6 p.m.)
As the situation progresses, the VSGA will provide further updates on events scheduled for June 1 and beyond. The VSGA will try to reschedule as many postponed events as possible later in the year. We will only resume play when we believe it is safe for competitors, staff, Rules officials and any other tournament volunteers and club officials.
Players with active entries should NOT withdraw from events online, as that will not result in a full refund. Additional communication is forthcoming with information regarding refunds, credits, etc. from specific events.
Additionally, most of the VSGA staff is currently working remotely, but we are available to attend to your needs and questions during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday). Please contact VSGA headquarters at (804) 378-2300 with any questions or concerns and to connect with the appropriate staff member(s).
For more information on COVID-19, including general updates, governmental updates, Rules and Handicapping updates and updates from allied organizations, visit the VSGA’s COVID-19 resources page.
Still want to go out and play in a safe manner? Please reference this short video for precautions you can take to ensure a safe experience on the golf course.