SPOTSYLVANIA -- Casey McCullough (Shenandoah Valley Golf Club) posted a net round of 67 on Monday at Fawn Lake Country Club to take the 18-hole overall lead at the 1st VSGA Net Amateur Championship.
The event is the first VSGA championship that utilizes a player's Handicap Index. The competition was open to VSGA members of all ages who hold an active GHIN number issued by a licensed VSGA member club in good standing and who meet the USGA Rules of Amateur Status. Each player's Handicap Index as of Sept. 20 was used for the competition, and players received 95 percent of their course handicap. The maximum playing handicap was 36.
In addition to an overall champion, winners will be crowned in four groups: Men 49 and under, men 50-64, men 65 and over, and ladies. The second and final round of the championship is Tuesday.
McCullough, who also leads the men's 49 and under division, holds a four-shot lead in the overall competition over Dale Trexler (VSGA eClub Fredericksburg). Both players have playing handicaps of 14. McCullough shot gross 81 for a net 67 and made two net eagles. He made birdies on the par-3 8th and par-5 16th and received strokes on both holes. Trexler shot 85 for a net 71 with eight net birdies.
Mark Cornwell (VSGA eClub Harrisonburg), a 9 handicap, is in third with a net 72 and leads the men's 65-and-over division. Robert Barden (River Creek Club, 15 handicap) and Patrick Normyle (VSGA eClub Alexandria, 19 handicap) are tied for fourth after posting net 73s.
Marie Anderson (Army Navy CC) leads the ladies division after returning a first-round net 74. Anderson, a 10 handicap, made six net birdies and a net eagle and holds a three-shot edge over Amy Phelan (1757 GC), who shot a net 77 and has the lowest Handicap Index in the ladies' field (5).