MIDLOTHIAN — Officials from the Middle Atlantic PGA, Virginia State Golf Association and Independence Golf Club announced two new sponsors for the 2021 State Open of Virginia, presented by the Virginia Lottery, which will be played at Independence in Midlothian from July 16-18.
Truist has signed on as a premier sponsor for the event, and the company’s support will help facilitate a statewide weekend broadcast of the championship spearheaded by WTVR (CBS 6 in Richmond). Virginia Lottery has signed on as the event’s presenting sponsor.
“Truist is proud to support the return of the State Open of Virginia in 2021,” said Doug Roth, Market President, Central Virginia for Truist. “True to our mission to inspire and build better lives and communities, the State Open will showcase the top amateur and professional golfers in the Commonwealth right here at Independence with their outstanding facilities and family friendly environment. We look forward to an outstanding week of golf and entertainment.”
WTVR will show the State Open live on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 4-6 p.m., marking the first time the event has been televised since the mid-2000s. Past State Open champion Robert Wrenn and CBS 6 sports director Lane Casadonte will voice the event. The broadcast will be shown in several markets across Virginia, including Richmond, Bristol, Charlottesville, Lynchburg/Roanoke, and Norfolk.
“WTVR CBS 6 is thrilled the State Open is returning to Central Virginia this July with Independence Golf Club as host,” WTVR General Manager Stephen Hayes said. “We are grateful for the corporate support, specifically Truist and Virginia Lottery, which is enabling WTVR to highlight this beautiful venue and the exceptional golf action the Commonwealth has to offer. We appreciate our statewide broadcast partners who are just as committed to increasing the visibility for this unique event.”
Independence will host a week full of events in conjunction with the State Open, including:
- Tuesday, July 13: On-site concert
- Wednesday, July 14: State Open of Virginia Rick Sharp Alzheimer’s Foundation Charity Classic Pro-Am; on-site concert
- Thursday, July 15: Practice rounds; Par-3 contest at The Bear Course at Independence; on-site concert
- Friday, July 16: State Open, first round; on-site concert
- Saturday, July 17: State Open, second round; statewide broadcast from 4-6 p.m.
- Sunday, July 18: State Open, final round; statewide broadcast from 4-6 p.m.
The State Open concluded a seven-year run at Ballyhack Golf Club in Roanoke in 2020 and will make its first appearance at Independence in eight years. The club previously hosted the championship from 2007-13.
“We’re super excited that the VSGA and the MAPGA are coming back to see a new and different Independence,” Independence President Giff Breed said. “We’re excited about that partnership and to show what golf can be in the future, and not necessarily what it was in the past. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase that. We’re going to bring music and food and all sorts of different activities for families and kids, and hopefully we’ll have an incredibly challenging test to identify the best golfer in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
The State Open field features 144 players, a mix of top professionals from the MAPGA and top amateurs from the Virginia State Golf Association. It was first played in 1924. From 1958-84, the Virginia Professional Golf Association and Virginia State Golf Association held separate State Opens. The two were merged in 1985.
“The State Open of Virginia has a tremendous history and this year’s edition is certain to leave its mark,” VSGA Executive Director Matt Smiley said. “New sponsors, television coverage, a great golf course, and a week full of events will make the event a special experience for golfers and golf fans alike.”
Champions in the merged era include professionals Jay Woodson (four-time winner), Wrenn and current PGA Tour player Lanto Griffin. Amateur champions include Virginia Golf Hall of Fame inductees Vinny Giles, Keith Decker and Tom McKnight. Amateurs have won the last two State Open titles, with Mark Lawrence Jr. taking the title in 2020 and Jack Montague claiming victory in 2019. Lawrence will compete as a professional this year.
“We are so pleased to return to Independence for the State Open of Virginia,” MAPGA Executive Director Jon Guhl said. “Independence Golf Club has a strong history of hosting championship events, and importantly, a deep desire to make the event bigger and better. We look forward to a long relationship with Giff Breed and his team at Independence.”
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ABOUT TRUIST
Truist Financial Corporation is an American bank holding company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. The company was formed in December 2019 as the result of the merger of BB&T and SunTrust Banks. SunTrust is a past sponsor of the State Open of Virginia. Truist is the nation’s seventh largest commercial bank.
ABOUT VIRGINIA LOTTERY
Authorized by Virginia voters in a successful 1987 referendum, the Virginia Lottery generates more than $1.6 million per day for Virginia’s K-12 public schools. In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, lottery customers helped generate more than $595 million in funding for public education. For more information, visit the Virginia Lottery’s Giving Back page [valottery.com], visit our website [valottery.com], like us on Facebook [facebook.com], follow us on Twitter [twitter.com] and Instagram [instagram.com], and check us out on YouTube [youtube.com]. With all gaming, please remember to play responsibly.